Mavis Staines, artistic director of Canada’s National Ballet School received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal on Wednesday, February 6 for her dedication and immense contribution to dance and education. The medal was created in celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s 60th anniversary in 2012 to honor outstanding Canadian individuals in various fields.

Staines on the cover of Dance Teacher in December 2002

Staines took the reins of the National Ballet School of Canada in 1989, after the founding director, Betty Oliphant, retired. Since then, Staines has shown a commitment to dancers’ health and well-being: She implemented required body conditioning classes and several measures to ensure students are well nourished and strong. NBS staff includes physiotherapists and counselors who are available for individual consultation. In “The Mavis Maverick,” Jennifer Brewer highlighted Staines’ outstanding approach to dance education.

Photos by Eduardo Patino