REMEMBERING CELIA FRANCA

Current Director of The School Of Dance in Ottawa, Merrilee Hodgins. She along with Joyce Shietze and Celia Franca co-founded the school in 1978.
This picture is of the original poster for the first performance of the new National Ballet Guild of Canada later renamed The National Ballet of Canada. This new company was founded by Celia Franca. She moved from England in 1950 and in just 10 short months put this program together which premiered November 12, 1951.

The Celia Franca room ended up overflowing and standing room only. Many friends, former students and colleagues came by to remember this great lady and listen to some of the personal stories and share some laughter and tears.

Mr. Neil Bregman who is President of Sound Venture Productions in Ottawa. His company along with Veronica Tennant Productions co-produced a new DVD called Celia Franca: Tour De Force. For your own copy you can order online at: http://www.soundventure.com/

Marrilee Hodgins thanks everyone for coming out to pay special tribute to her friend Celia. Pictured below is Celia from 1960 in a photo from the National Ballet of Canada website by photographer Janine.On February 19, Ms. Celia Franca passed away at the age of 85. On April 1 The School of Dance held a memorial for her at the school located at 200 Crichton St. in Ottawa. On a personal note I don't think I have ever been to a memorial or celebration of a life lived where I didn't actually know the person or something about that person. I will be honest in saying that I did not know Celia Franca and how important a person she was to Dance and Ballet in Canada and on the world stage. She live here in Ottawa for many years and I have lived here for about 18 years. I have heard her name before of course, but after listening to the stories and what a special person she was, I am a lessor person for not knowing her. You cannot possibly know everyone for sure, but if we could turn back the clock she would make the top of my list for people to see.

http://www.theschoolofdance.ca/, http://www.celiafrancafoundation.com/, http://www.national.ballet.ca/