Media Release
First Soloist Jenna Savella Retires After 22 Years
May 25, 2026… Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, announced today that First Soloist Jenna Savella will retire after 22 years with The National Ballet of Canada at the end of the 2025/26 season. Savella will perform the title role of Helen Pickett’s Emma Bovary on opening night May 29 and will be honoured onstage by the company on May 31, 2026.
"After 22 unforgettable years as a dancer with The National Ballet of Canada, it feels bittersweet to close this chapter that has been my whole life. I am so grateful to have lived my dream, dancing so many incredible roles and embracing the opportunities I’ve been given along the way. My experiences, both on and off the stage, have shaped me into the person I am today and are woven with countless milestones, moments of overcoming challenges and, best of all, joy and endless laughter. I have so much gratitude for the support I’ve felt from everyone in the organization and I will deeply cherish the memories we’ve made together. I will miss my life at the National Ballet but I’m excited to embark on a new journey and embrace a renewed sense of balance in my life,” said Savella.
“Jenna’s contribution to The National Ballet of Canada has been immeasurable. Over more than two decades, she has distinguished herself as an extraordinary and versatile performer, dancing an immense range of repertoire with grace, power and artistry. We will deeply miss her warmth and spirit and celebrate her remarkable career with gratitude and admiration,” said Muir.
Savella was born in Vancouver and trained at DanceWest and Lavrova Classical Ballet Academy in Surrey, British Columbia and Canada’s National Ballet School. She joined the National Ballet as an RBC Apprentice in 2004 and was promoted to First Soloist in 2015. An artist of remarkable range, Savella’s performances have spanned the great classics as well as works by Balanchine and contemporary works, moving effortlessly from the crystalline beauty of the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker to the melancholic lead of The Man in Black, both by James Kudelka. Her devastating power as Bronislava in John Neumeier’s Nijinsky was unforgettable and earned her the Rolex Dancers First Award in 2015. Most recently, Savella helped create the title role in Helen Pickett’s Emma Bovary, embodying the spirit of collaboration and curiosity that have always defined her artistry. Equally admired for her generosity as a colleague, Savella was twice honoured with the David Tory Award, in 2015 and 2024, named after former Vice Chair of The National Ballet of Canada’s Board of Directors, for her consummate professionalism and dedication to the company.
The National Ballet of Canada congratulates Savella on an outstanding career and wishes her all the best in her next chapter.
Catch Savella in Emma Bovary on May 29 and 31 and in Wayne McGregor’s MADDADDAM, onstage June 13 – 21.
Casting for Emma Bovary / Kismet has been announced.
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2025/26 Season Sponsor: BMO
Desjardins Presents Kismet / Emma Bovary
IG Private Wealth Management Presents MADDADDAM
Lead philanthropic support for Emma Bovary is provided by The Sabourin Family Foundation. Additional support is provided by The Anna McCowan-Johnson New Creations Fund and The Producers’ Circle (2024).
The Producers’ Circle (2024): Gail & Mark Appel, John & Claudine Bailey, Laura Dinner & Richard Rooney, Gail Drummond & Bob Dorrance, Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin, The William & Nona Heaslip Foundation, Anna McCowan-Johnson & Donald K. Johnson, O.C., Judy Korthals & Peter Irwin, Mona & Harvey Levenstein, Jerry Lozinski, O.C. & Joan Lozinski, O.C., The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., Julie Medland, Sandra Pitblado, C.M. & Jim Pitblado, C.M., The Harry & Lillian Seymour Family Foundation, The Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation and Alexander Younger & Sarah Richardson.
Lead philanthropic support for MADDADDAM is provided by The Walter Carsen New Creations Fund, Tony Arrell, C.M. & Anne Arrell, Rosamond Ivey, Tim & Frances Price and Gretchen Ross & Donald Ross, O.C. Additional support is provided by The Gail Hutchison Fund and The Producers’ Circle (2023).
The commissioned score for MADDADDAM is underwritten by Noreen Taylor, C.M. & David Staines, C.M., O.Ont.
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 Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages; and the Government of Ontario with the Honourable Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming and Minister of Sport.
Jenna Savella. Photo by Karolina Kuras.
For more information and interview opportunities, please contact:
Touchwood PR
Andréa Grau, Founder and OwnerChelsea Cabello, Senior PublicistSydney Clarke, Publicist
NBOC@touchwoodpr.com
The National Ballet of Canada
Catherine Chang, Associate Director of Communications & Content Strategy
Sarah Johnsen, Interim Communications Manager
Media@national.ballet.ca