Quinte Ballet School announces new artistic director

The Quinte Ballet School of Canada is getting a new artistic director.

After doing freelance work across Canada and abroad, Andrew Parker is taking the reins from current Artistic Director, John Ottoman, in late August.

Parker started studying ballet at nine years old in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He received professional performance training at the Cambridge School of Ballet, Boston Ballet School and Milwaukee Ballet School.

Chair of the Quinte Ballet School of Canada Sheila Crooks-Daniels said Parker bring creative leadership to the institution.

“Andrew has had a long association with the school, as a guest instructor and a Director of the Summer Dance Program,” said Crooks-Daniels. “He is well-equipped to take on this role and we are confident he can provide the level of creative leadership needed to propel the school into its next phase of operations.”

For 11-years, Parker performed solo in a number of ballet companies across the United States. In 2000, he received his ballet teaching diploma from Canada’s National Ballet School.

“I am looking forward to moving in to my new digs in Belleville, to connect with civic and business leaders, and most of all to take up full-time the responsibility for teaching and nurturing the talents of our dancers,” said Parker. “We invite everyone to join us at ‘Quinte’ as we keep alive the spirit of excellence in the dance education programs and other artistic initiatives we share with the community.”

Parker is working closely with Ottoman to finalize plans for the upcoming school year. Parker assumes the position on August 29.