Karen Kain Receives Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada is just one of the first 60 people to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal today. Ceremonies took place across the country to commemorate the day Queen Elizabeth became sovereign 60 years ago. The medal will be awarded to about 60,000 Canadians this year to recognize their work in our communities.

Kevin Garland, the National Ballet’s Executive Director announced the news at a morning press event for the company’s 2012/13 seasons. Kain was on hand to reveal the company’s performances and tours for the upcoming seasons. She spent an impressive, 26 years as Principal Dancer for the National Ballet and took over as Artistic Director just a year after retiring from dance in 1997. She is considered a stalwart advocate of the arts and has been recognized at home and abroad for her talent and her contributions to the arts community. More than just a Companion of the Order of Canada, Ms. Kain even graced the judge’s table of CTV’s So You Think You Can Dance Canada as a guest in 2009. The accolades keep coming for Kain, truly Canada’s favourite dancer.

For more information and performance schedule for the National Ballet of Canada, please visit http://national.ballet.ca/

-Tara Losinski