Xiao Nan Yu

Xiao Nan Yu danced with The National Ballet of Canada for 23 years, becoming a Principal Dancer in 2001 and performing with the National Ballet until her retirement from the stage in 2019. She joined the Artistic Staff in 2021 as an Artistic Coach, was promoted to Rehearsal Director and Principal Coach in 2022 and in 2026, was appointed Senior Rehearsal Director and Principal Artistic Coach.

 
In her current role, Nan works closely with the company’s dancers, providing artistic coaching, rehearsal direction and mentorship. Drawing on her distinguished career as a Principal Dancer and her extensive experience across classical and contemporary repertoire, she helps artists develop the technical refinement, artistry, confidence and stage presence required to perform at the highest level.

Nan is deeply committed to mentorship and to the artistic development of each dancer. She brings to the studio the knowledge, perspective and experience gained throughout her career, while encouraging artists to develop their own individuality and artistry. Her work reflects a deep understanding of both the demands of a professional performing career and the unique qualities of each artist.

Prior to her current appointment, Nan served as Ballet Mistress and assisted choreographers and stagers on numerous company productions. From 2019 to 2021, she was a guest teacher for senior students at Canada’s National Ballet School, where she continues to teach and mentor students.

Nan trained at the Shenyang School of Dance and the Beijing Dance Academy in China before receiving a scholarship to attend Canada’s National Ballet School. She joined the National Ballet in 1996 and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2001.

During her distinguished career, Nan was celebrated for her performances in leading roles including Odette in Swan Lake, the title role in Giselle, Paulina in The Winter’s Tale, Hanna Glawari in The Merry Widow, Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty and Tatiana in Onegin. She also performed extensively in works by George Balanchine and created new roles in ballets by James Kudelka, Aszure Barton, Matjash Mrozewski, Jean-Pierre Perreault and Dominique Dumais. Throughout her career, she worked with many internationally renowned choreographers and artists. 

As a guest artist, Nan has performed with the Hamburg Ballet, working with John Neumeier, and appeared in Stars of the 21st Century.

Her many honours include the Gold Medal at the Taoli Cup Ballet Competition in China, Silver Medal at the All Japan International Ballet Competition, the Rolex Dancers First Award and the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto’s 21st Century Youth of the Year Award. She was also named Top 30 Under 30 by Maclean’s Magazine and won the Outstanding Profile – Arts and Best of the Best Awards at the Mandarin Profile Awards in Toronto.

From Principal Dancer to artistic leader and mentor, Nan continues to make a significant contribution to the artistic development of The National Ballet of Canada and its dancers.