The National Ballet of Canada

Associate Artistic Director Christopher Stowell Leaves to Return to US

May 30, 2022…Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that Christopher Stowell, Associate Artistic Director, will be leaving his post at the end of June 2022. 

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Chris for the support he provided during my transition into this role and to wish him all the best for the future as he returns home to explore new opportunities,” said Muir.

Stowell joined the National Ballet in 2017, working closely with Artistic Director Emerita Karen Kain during the final years in her tenure as Artistic Director.

“Chris has been an extraordinary partner for me over the last several years, providing leadership and support to our artistic team and guidance and mentorship to our artists,” said Kain. “I will be forever grateful for his contributions to the success of The National Ballet of Canada during my time as Artistic Director”.

Kain officially retired as Artistic Director in June of 2021 and her new production of Swan Lake will premiere on June 10, 2022. Stowell has been working closely with Kain for several years on the production as member of the creative team and one of the choreographers.

“I came to Toronto in 2017 to work with Karen and capping my tenure with the National Ballet by partnering with her on this very special production of Swan Lake feels like the ideal time for this transition,” said Stowell. “Like many people, the uncertainty and challenges of the last two years have caused me to reevaluate my priorities and pursue a more balanced life. After five years in Canada, I feel the need to be closer to my family and creative home. I want to thank Karen, Executive Director Barry Hughson and all my extraordinary colleagues and friends at the National Ballet for their support and camaraderie and wish everyone the best as they enter this next exciting chapter in the company’s history.”

“Over the past five years, Chris has made a huge contribution to the Artistic Department, supporting our dancers to perform at the highest level. We are deeply grateful for the care and commitment he brought to his role. All of us at The National Ballet of Canada wish Chris the very best as he embarks on this next chapter,” said Hughson.

Stowell will be relocating to the US over the summer with his partner Christopher Mathewson.

Born in New York City, Stowell received his training at Pacific Northwest Ballet School and the School of American Ballet. Upon graduation, he joined San Francisco Ballet where he became a Principal Dancer and remained for 16 years. Stowell was Artistic Director of Oregon Ballet Theatre from 2003 to 2012. He has taught and coached in San Francisco, New York City, Japan, China and across Europe and has created works for San Francisco Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet as well as New York City Ballet Choreographic Institute. He has also staged the works of George Balanchine, Mark Morris and Christopher Wheeldon.

Christopher Stowell’s Full Biography >

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The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Canada Council for the Arts; the Ontario Arts Council; the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council; the Government of Canada – Department of Canadian Heritage with The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage; and the Government of Ontario with The Honourable Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Christopher Stowell. Photo by Karolina Kuras.

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