Jurgita Dronina took a final bow in Tronto on 24th November 2024, leaving The National Ballet of Canada much earlier than initially announced.
The Tronto-based company announced in September that her departure would be at the end of 2024-2025 season, and that she would return to Europe to seek for new opportunities.
However, Dronina decided to leave now because after the announcement she was offered an opportunity she could not refuse, she explained in her Instagram post.
Dronina joined The National Ballet of Canada in 2015 as Principal and her final performance with the company was the title role of Giselle. I wonder what the new opportunity might be!
Separately, First Soloist Chelsy Meiss retired after her performance as Myrtha in Giselle on 23rd November. She was with the company for 16 years. Toi toi toi!
Principal dancand choerographer Guillaume Côté will also retire after 26 years with the company. He is creating a solo for himself titled Grand Mirage, which will be performed in May-June 2025 along with other works and will be his adieu.
Jurgita Dronina bids farewell to Canada. Movie clip from The National Ballet of Canada’s Instagram post.