National Ballet of Canada Mourns Loss of Principal Dancer Hazaros Surmeyan

The National Ballet of Canada has shared news of the passing of former Principal Dancer and Principal Character Artist Hazaros (Lazo) Surmeyan whose extraordinary 54-year career left an indelible mark on the company and the Canadian dance community.

Born in Skopje, Yugoslavia, Surmeyan danced with the Skopje Opera Ballet and Belgrade Opera Ballet before continuing his studies in Cannes, France with renowned teacher Rosella Hightower. At just 20 years old, he performed the roles of Prince Florimund in The Sleeping Beauty and Siegfried in Swan Lake before going on to dance as a Principal Dancer with the Mannheim Opera Ballet and Cologne Opera Ballet.

In 1966, Surmeyan joined The National Ballet of Canada as a Principal Dancer. Throughout his distinguished career he was admired for his danseur noble qualities, commanding Stage Presence and exceptional artistry. In 1986, he was appointed Principal Character Artist, becoming one of the company's leading interpreters of character roles and helping to define the position within the organization.

His extensive repertoire included the Tutor in Swan Lake, Lord Capulet and Montague in Romeo and Juliet, Prince Gremin in Onegin, Widow Simone in La Fille mal gardée, Councillor Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker, Gamache and Lorenzo in Don Quixote, Baron Zeta in The Merry Widow, Dr. Sloper in Washington Square and the title role in Balanchine's Don Quixote, among many others.

Praised for his extraordinary acting abilities and attention to detail, Surmeyan was recognized by Dance Magazine as “a world-class character dancer.” He also created roles in James Kudelka's Cinderella, The Contract (The Pied Piper), The Four Seasons and An Italian Straw Hat, as well as works including Newcomers, Mad Shadows, Hedda and The Seven Daggers/Los Siete Punales.

Beyond the stage, Surmeyan appeared in the CBC Television production of Giselle and Eric Till's film Mad Shadows. He also contributed to the art form as a choreographer and teacher, creating a new production of Romeo and Juliet in Macedonia in 1987 and the critically acclaimed full-length Anna Karenina for the Skopje Ballet in 2003. He later shared his expertise internationally as a guest teacher in China and at the Sarasota Academy of Ballet Arts in Florida.

Surmeyan's artistry, generosity and dedication touched generations of colleagues and audiences. His legacy remains an important part of The National Ballet of Canada's history and will continue to inspire future artists.

The company extends its deepest condolences to his beloved wife, former dancer, Principal Character Artist and Ballet Mistress Lorna Geddes, as well as to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. He will be greatly missed.