Boris Volkoff

Boris Vladimirovich Volkoff, (; né Baskakoff; April 24, 1900 – March 11, 1974) was a Russian-Canadian ballet dancer, director, choreographer and ballet master. After studying dance in Warsaw and Moscow he defected from Russia and eventually settled in Toronto. He created the Boris Volkoff School of Dance which trained ballet dancers, and the Boris Volkoff Ballet Company which is arguably considered the first ballet company in Canada. He gave his dancers and studio to the National Ballet of Canada to raise the profile of Canadian ballet. He regretted this decision and attempted to revive his company which ended in failure. He was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada in 1973, one year before his death.

Early life and dance career

Volkoff was born Boris Vladimirovich Baskakoff, was born on April 24, 1900, in Belinsky, Penza Oblast. When he was nine Volkoff joined his brother Igor in Warsaw to dance and perform for the Russian Army. He alternated between using this birth name and performing using the last name Volkoff, his mother's family name. During a Siberian tour Volkoff defected from Russia and went to Shanghai. In 1932 he created ice ballet versions of Swan Lake and Prince Igor with the Toronto Skating Club. His company performed two new ballets called Mon-Ka-Ta and Mala, both based on Inuit and Native American legends. and Volkoff Canadian Ballet was one of three companies to perform at its inaugural event.

National Ballet of Canada

Unable to secure stable funding for the Volkoff Canadian Ballet

In 2009 Heritage Toronto unveiled a plaque commemorating Volkoff. It was installed at the site of Volkoff's studio at 771 Yonge Street.