Dance is the word that is used broadly to define human behavior characterized by expressive movements of the body. It is grace, art, classicism and precision that distinguish ballet from other dance styles. People have danced for many different reasons, such as religious, entertainment, tribal rituals, exercise, or simply to express something that cannot find a voice in words. For as long as people have lived in Canada, dance has existed and has subsequently played a role throughout Canadian history. In Canada the history of dance began with the indigenous dance of the First Nations peoples, but with the arrival of European settlers more European dance forms such as ballet arrived, which shaped Canadian dance until it became what it is Today. Canada is still considered a new country and yet has managed to produce ballet productions that belie the standards of world companies who have had ballet in their society for hundreds of years longer. Canada's most renowned classical ballet company is the National Ballet of Canada, a dance company that has been an important patron of the arts and is in many ways responsible for the popularity and success of ballet in Canada. The National Ballet of Canada was founded in 1951 3 It is a classical ballet company that has a vast repertoire of choreography ranging from very classical 19th century pieces to cutting-edge contemporary works. The National Ballet of Canada is one of the largest ballet companies in North America, however the size of its operations has fluctuated in the past due to financial resources. The company began in 1980 with just thirty dancers and currently employs approximately 100 dancers, typical of large-scale dance companies. The company is based in T...... middle of paper ......y that Canada is now home to one of the best ballet training facilities in the world and inevitably also to some of the most talented dancers in the world . The National Ballet has given Canadians pride in the arts and allowed ballet's popularity to germinate among young Canadians and blossom into an art form that is experienced and enjoyed daily by thousands of children. The National Ballet also teaches aspiring dance teachers how to teach dance and is one of very few programs available in Canada. They are at the forefront of dance education, blending traditional ballet traditions with the latest advances in movement science, sports medicine and dancer care. These teachers continue to teach in communities in Canada and around the world, while also spreading their love of ballet and sharing it with the youth and future generation of the ballet world..