MASTER CLASSES

Tara Birtwhistle is a celebrated Canadian ballerina and a visionary leader in the world of dance. A graduate of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division, she joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) in 1991 and quickly rose to the rank of Principal Artist, captivating audiences across North America, Europe, and Asia for over two decades.

Renowned for her emotional depth, dramatic artistry, and technical brilliance, Birtwhistle brought unforgettable life to roles such as Lucy in Dracula, Rita Joe in The Ecstasy of Rita Joe, and the Cowgirl in Agnes DeMille’s Rodeo. She was acclaimed for her powerful interpretations of Giselle in Sir Peter Wright’s Giselle and Juliet in Rudi Van Danzig’s Romeo & Juliet.

After her final performance in 2010, Birtwhistle transitioned into leadership, serving as Ballet Master and now Associate Artistic Director of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

Recipient of both the Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals from Queen Elizabeth II, Birtwhistle remains a defining voice in international ballet.