About Marina Surgan

 

Marina Surgan is the Principal Pianist and Manager of Musicians for Canada's National Ballet School.

Marina is a gifted pianist and teacher. She was classically trained in the former Soviet Union, first at the renowned Music School for Gifted Children, named after Professor Stolyarsky, in Odessa Ukraine and then continued her education at Moscow's Gnessin Pedagogical Institute. She is a trained soloist, concertmaster and piano teacher. Marina immigrated to Toronto Canada in 1975 and joined Canada's National Ballet School (NBS) in 1978. Highlights of her creative career include composing music for the Cecchetti grade examinations, recording music for the Prix de Lausanne, conducting accompanist workshops and playing for master classes.

Through her work at NBS, she has travelled across Canada, the United States, Mexico, France, Germany, Japan, Finland and Sweden. Marina has given numerous concert performances and in 2024, Marina celebrated her 40th anniversary as the pianist for the Spring Showcase at Canada’s National Ballet School.

Her original compositions were featured on an episode of the reality TV show 'Battle of the Blades”, Winnipeg filmmaker Laurence B. Lamaire incorporated Marina's original work into his documentary, 'Les Boys du Ballet.'", and her music is often used in various schools around the world , either via CD or through online streaming such as Spotify and Apple music.

At the time of this publication, Marina has recorded 4 volumes of ballet class music and has also published the piano sheet music for ballet class directly transcribed from her music albums.

Marina’s music motivates, moves, and inspires dancers and teachers of classical music across the globe, and we hope that you as well find inspiration in Marina's original compositions for Ballet Class.