Peter Ottmann. Photo by Aleksandar Antonijevic.

Biography

Born in Renfrew, Ontario, Peter Ottmann studied at Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto. He joined The National Ballet of Canada in 1976 and was promoted to First Soloist in 1983. As a dancer with the National Ballet until 1993, Peter’s naturally regal bearing and effortless classical line, combined with a deep understanding of character, led him to give memorable performances in a wide variety of repertoire. He excelled particularly as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, The Prince in The Sleeping Beauty, Albrecht and Hilarion in Giselle and James and Gurn in La Sylphide. As well, he created key roles in ballets by Glen Tetley, William Forsythe and James Kudelka.

Subsequent to his retirement from the stage, Peter became the National Ballet’s Resident Choreologist and Ballet Master. In 2005 he was appointed Senior Ballet Master bringing his years of performing experience and his keen understanding of the art and technique of ballet to his position.

Peter’s skills are much in demand and he has set works for such companies as the Paris Opéra Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Ballet British Columbia, Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro and The National Ballet of Canada, employing his authoritative knowledge and pedagogical sensitivity in coaching dancers in works by such choreographers as John Cranko, Rudolf Nureyev, Glen Tetley, John Neumeier, James Kudelka, Jiří Kylián, Crystal Pite and Alexander Ekman.