Ormsby Wilkins

Ormsby Wilkins was born in Sydney, Australia. After completing his music studies at the Conservatories of Sydney and Melbourne, Ormsby joined The Australian Ballet and became resident conductor in 1982. Moving to Europe in 1983, he was appointed conductor with England’s Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet, now called Birmingham Royal Ballet.

He then spent 16 years (1990 – 2006) as Music Director of The National Ballet of Canada. He then joined American Ballet Theatre (ABT) as Music Director, from which he recently retired after 20 years.

Ormsby has been particularly singled out for his sensitive, yet vibrant, interpretations of all the great classical ballets such as The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. Other works he has conducted include Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Onegin, The Taming of the Shrew, Symphony in C, Manon, La Sylphide, Daphnis et Chloé, Song of the Earth, The Rite of Spring and The Firebird.

International engagements have included performances with Teatro alla Scala, the Teatro dell’Opera Di Roma, Ballet of Teatro di San Carlo in Naples and Royal Swedish Ballet. In 2001, he spent three months in Italy conducting at Teatro alla Scala and making his debuts in both Genoa and at Teatro Comunale, now Teatro Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Most recently, Ormsby has conducted several seasons with Miami City Ballet and had been a regular guest for Sarasota Ballet where he will be appearing during its 2026/2027 season.

Ormsby has conducted many orchestras around the world, both in association with ballet and in concert. Including The Philharmonia Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and National Arts Centre. He also conducted ABT’s performances of Swan Lake and Sir Frederick Ashton’s The Dream, filmed for PBS’ acclaimed Dance in America series.

Ormsby is delighted to be returning to the National Ballet to conduct Romeo and Juliet for its 75th anniversary season.