Media Release
2025/26 Season Award Winners Announced
Connor Hamilton and Alexander Skinner Win Patron Award of Merit
Isabelle Bratt Wins David Tory Award
Felix Russell and Celia Morrison Win Emerging Artist Apprentice Award
October 20, 2026… Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the winners of the 2025/26 Patron Award of Merit, David Tory Award and Emerging Artist Apprentice Award.
“It is a pleasure to recognize these five talented artists for their achievements throughout the 2025/26 season. Each has demonstrated exceptional dedication, artistic growth and a commitment to their craft, while contributing to the strength and spirit of our company. I am delighted to celebrate their accomplishments and congratulate them on these well-deserved honours,” said Muir.
Corps de Ballet members Connor Hamilton and Alexander Skinner have been awarded the Patron Award of Merit by the Patrons’ Council Committee of The National Ballet of Canada. Each season, the award is given to two Corps de Ballet members who have shown exceptional growth over the past year. The award was presented by Brooke Wilton, Patrons' Council Ambassador, and Hamilton and Skinner’s names will be inscribed on an award at The Walter Carsen Centre, generously donated by Myles Mindham.
Connor Hamilton Biography
Alexander Skinner Biography
Corps de Ballet member Isabelle Bratt is the 2025/26 recipient of the David Tory Award. The award is named after the late David Tory, former Vice Chair of The National Ballet of Canada’s Board of Directors, who passed away in 2006. Bratt is recognized for her consummate professionalism, dedication to the company and exhibiting the many qualities that inspired the creation of the award. The award was presented by his son, Matthew Tory.
Apprentices Felix Russell and Celia Morrison have won the 2026 Emerging Artist Apprentice Award, which recognizes their artistic growth and exceptional talent as Apprentices during the 2025/26 season. The award was presented by Artistic Director Hope Muir.
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BMO 2025/26 Season Sponsor
Alexander Skinner is sponsored through Dancers First by Anne & David LeGresley.
The Apprentices are supported through the RBC Foundation.
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 Department of Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada; and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming and the Ministry of Sport, Government of Ontario.
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The National Ballet of Canada
Catherine Chang, Associate Director of Communications & Content Strategy
Sarah Johnsen, Interim Communications Manager
Media@national.ballet.ca