TSA 2026 - Passion and Precision: The History of Ballet with Special Guest Veronica Tennant

Take a dazzling journey through the history of ballet with Natasha Frid Finlay, dance notator and popular pre-show speaker with The National Ballet of Canada.

From ballet’s origins in the royal courts of Europe to the first iconic productions of Swan Lake and Giselle; from the legendary dancers of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes to 20th century icons like Rudolph Nureyev and Karen Kain, Natasha will pull back the curtain on this wonderful art form, before closing the series with a very special treat: an onstage conversation with the great Veronica Tennant, C.C., a filmmaker, author and former Prima Ballerina with The National Ballet of Canada and an inspiration to generations of dance-artists.

Over six exciting lectures, illustrated with slides and lively video clips, we’ll explore the unique blend of passion and precision, collaborative spirit and virtuosic talent that goes into making ballet such an exquisite art form.

For Natasha and Veronica’s bios, and a full rundown of the topics covered in each lecture in this series, please check out the course syllabus HERE.

Interested in attending more than one of our winter courses and getting a discount on them? Then consider signing up for our Speakers Annex Winter Season Pass. Details HERE.

Notes: Prices: $99+Tax for MNjcc Members. $119+Tax for Non-Members. All Lectures are in the Al Green Theatre. Questions? Email Speakers Annex organizer Will Di Novi at thespeakersannex@gmail.com