Caroline Gruber

Caroline Gruber has been a fixture of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet for 30 years, first as Soloist with the Company and then as Ballet Master, where she continues to shape Canada’s premiere ballet company to this day. Ms. Gruber’s goal as a key member of the Artistic Faculty is to pass on her vast knowledge and love of dance to the next generation of artists and teachers. Since joining the Artistic Faculty in 2007, she has worked extensively with Company dancers, lending her knowledge to the staging of classical repertoire such as Nutcracker and Swan Lake. She also enjoys her work with the Recreational and Professional Divisions of the RWB School, coaching students and setting repertoire as well as working directly with artists in the Aspirant Program.

A exemplary performer in her own right, Ms. Gruber has danced numerous Principal roles throughout her impressive career; most notably: in Nutcracker, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake with the RWB Company; in Ashton’s Cinderella with the Dutch National Ballet, and in Sir Frederick Ashton’s Brahms Waltzes as Isadora Duncan. One of her fondest memories is of performing alongside the dancers of The National Ballet of Canada in Balanchine’s Symphony in C for the 65th anniversary of the RWB.

Born in New York City, Ms. Gruber moved to London, England at the age of four where she began her studies at the Royal Ballet School in London. At the age of 17 she moved to Paris to complete her ballet training with a teacher from the Paris Opera. Following graduation, Ms. Gruber spent six years dancing with the Het Nationale Ballet, the largest ballet company in The Netherlands. She joined Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1988.

Most recently, Ms. Gruber has served as a guest Ballet Master with Ballet Edmonton, guest classical teacher at the Vancouver Ballet Society Spring Seminar, judged ballet competitions in Moose Jaw, the North Island of Performing Arts in B.C., and taught at the Cecchetti Canada Seminar. Having studied under Anne Green-Gilbert, Pioneer of the Brain Dance, Gruber is qualified to teach creative movement, adding to her extensive credentials. Ms. Gruber feels extremely fortunate to be a part of the dance world, and credits all her teachers and fellow dancers throughout the years for inspiring her in every step she has taken in the studio. It is a gift she is happy to give back at the RWB. In addition to her ongoing work with the dancers, Ms. Gruber works with the organization in numerous other areas, assisting with fund development, student outreach and the committee for RWB’s annual Ballet Ball.