Nancy Elizabeth "Betty" Oliphant, CC , O,Ont , LL.D (August 5, 1918–July 12, 2004) was a co-founder of the Canadian National Ballet School. The Order of Canada is Canadas highest civilian honour, with membership awarded to those who exemplify the Orders Latin motto Desiderantes meliorem patriam, which means, Desiring a better country. ... The Order of Ontario is an award given in the Canadian province of Ontario. ... Legum Doctor (English: Doctor of Laws; abbreviated to LL.D.) In the UK, Australia and New Zealand, the LL.D. is a higher doctorate usually awarded on the basis of exceptionally insightful and distinctive publications, containing significant and original contributions to the science or study of law. ... August 5 is the 217th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (218th in leap years), with 148 days remaining. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... July 12 is the 193rd day (194th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 172 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Ballet School is a Canadian ballet school based in Toronto, Ontario. ...

Born in London, she suffered from pneumonia as a child and her doctor prescribed ballet lessons to help with her breathing. She studied with Tamara Karsavina, Laurent Novikoff and Marie Rambert. By the age of 17, she had opened her own school. London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England and is the most populous city in the European Union. ... Pneumonia is an illness of the lungs and respiratory system in which the microscopic, alveoli (air-filled sacs) responsible for absorbing oxygen from the atmosphere become inflamed and flooded with fluid. ... The Waltz of the Snowflakes from Tchaikovskys The Nutcracker. ... Tamara Platonovna Karsavina (March 10, 1885 – May 26, 1978) was a famous Russian ballerina who eventually settled in England, where she helped found the Royal Academy of Dancing in 1920. ... Dame Marie Rambert was to exert a great influence on British ballet, both as dancer and teacher. ...

She moved to Canada in 1947. In 1951, she became ballet mistress for the National Ballet of Canada at the request of Celia Franca, the company's director. She and Franca founded the National Ballet School in 1959. Alumni include Frank Augustyn, Rex Harrington, Karen Kain, James Kudelka and Veronica Tennant. Her training was based on the Cecchetti method of classical dance. 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... The National Ballet of Canada is Canadas largest ballet troupe. ... Celia Franca (born June 25, 1921) is a Canadian ballet dancer, choreographer, and director. ... 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Frank Augustyn (born 1953) is a Canadian ballet dancer. ... Rex Howard Harrington (born October 30, 1962) is a Canadian ballet dancer. ... Karen Kain, 1970 Karen Kain, CC was born on March 28, 1951 in Hamilton, Ontario and began training to become a ballerina at the National Ballet School in Toronto, Canada in 1962, graduating in 1969. ... Veronica Tennant, CC, D.Litt. ... The Cecchetti method of ballet instruction was created by Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928). ...

In 1969, she became associate artistic director for the National Ballet of Canada, but resigned in 1975 to devote herself to the school. She retired in 1989. 1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

She was known for her strict manner, high standards and insistence on technique; she was a strong voice for the support of the arts in Canada.

She was awarded the Order of Canada in 1973. In 1988, the National Ballet School named its new training facility the Betty Oliphant Theatre. In 1996, she published an autobiography Miss O: My Life in Dance (ISBN 0888012101). The Order of Canada is Canadas highest civilian honour, with membership awarded to those who exemplify the Orders Latin motto Desiderantes meliorem patriam, which means, Desiring a better country. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ...

She died in St. Catharines, Ontario at the age of 85. Template:Hide = Motto: Template:Unhide = Industry and Liberality Location City Information Established: Settled in 1797 Incorporated in 1845 Area: 97. ...

External links

• Order of Canada Citation