For the 2024-2025 Season, Principal Dancer Harrison James will dance with The National Ballet of Canada, where he is currently, and San Francisco Ballet. Appearing on rosters of both of these prestigious companies is thanks to a partnership between Hope Muir and Tamara Rojo, the respective Artistic Directors of the Toronto and San Francisco based ballet companies.
The following statements were made by the two leaders:
Harrison James
James himself expressed:
“I am thrilled to be on the roster of two visionary companies for the 2024/25 season: The National Ballet of Canada and San Francisco Ballet.
I feel strongly that my identity and value as a dancer has been shaped by working in multiple ballet companies throughout my career and now that this opportunity has risen again, I’m excited to seize it.”
As a student, the New Zealand native trained at the New Zealand School of Dance as well as the aforementioned SF Ballet School’s Trainee Program.
James went on to dance with Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Béjart Ballet Lausanne before joining The National Ballet of Canada in 2013. Just three years later, he was promoted to the highest rank in the company.
His classical repertoire is extensive having performed leading roles in Cinderella, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, and most recently in Carlos Acosta’s Don Quixote.
This past season, he also made debuts in the world premiere of MADDADDAM by Wayne McGregor, as Lensky in John Cranko’s Onegin and performed in the Canadian premiere of David Dawson’s Anima Animus.
Featured Photo of The National Ballet of Canada Principal Dancer Harrison James. Photo by Karolina Kuras.
