Angela Leigh, 78, Canadian Ballerina
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Angela Leigh, a founding member and former principal dancer of the National Ballet of Canada, died November 30 at her home in Victoria, British Columbia. She was 78.
Leigh was an outspoken, chain-smoking dancer, choreographer, and interior designer.
Born in Uganda, where her father was a bank manager, Leigh trained with the Royal Ballet in London, where she met her first husband, Clayton Leigh, a Royal Canadian Air Force bomber pilot in World War II.
She became one of 25 founding members of the National Ballet of Canada, danced most of the leading roles in the classical and modern repertoires with the company, taught at its school, and was an assistant professor of dance at York University.
Her choreography credits include works for the National Ballet School, Canadian Opera Co., and Ontario Ballet Theater.
Last year Leigh played a key role in the founding of Ballet Victoria, the first professional ballet company on Vancouver Island. At the time of her death she was listed as the company’s artistic adviser.
