Biography
Ian was born in on Canada's east coast in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He started his theatrical career at an early age: he was not quite four years old when he was cast as "Junior" in the pilot of the CBC television sitcom "What Are Families For?" starring Canadian television icon Louis del Grande. Following this, he began to land children's roles in television commercials, on radio, and in film. Ian was the voice of Captain Kidd in the children's series "Pirates" which aired on Treehouse TV, running for forty episodes. Among his other roles as a child: "Little Sweet William" in the award-winning film "The Hanging Garden," directed by Thom Fitzgerald, and the voice of the little boy in the National Film Board short, "The Sandbox," directed by JoDee Samuelson.
Ian was also no stranger to the world of theatre as a child, and appeared in several semi-professional productions with the Nova Scotia Drama League, including "Annie," "The King and I," and "The Wizard of Oz." He also appeared in several productions of children's theatre as The Mirror in "Snow White," The Old Green Grasshopper in "James and the Giant Peach," and Wilbur in "Charlotte's Web."
Ian received his early training at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts in Halifax, training in voice, dance and musical theatre. He then spent six years in residence at Canada's National Ballet School, graduating with the musicianship award in 2007.
He joined the National Ballet of Canada's second company, where he danced various works from the classical repertoire, as well as the principal role in George Balanchine's "Who Cares." With the main company of the National Ballet of Canada, he danced the works of James Kudelka and John Neumeier. For the company's annual workshop, he choreographed a piece which is now in the repertoire of the second company.
Relocating to Monaco, he joined Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo in 2009, where the focus was on theatrical contemporary ballet performance. There, Ian toured the world dancing ballets of Jean-Christophe Maillot, including "Romeo et Juliette," "La Belle," "Cendrillon," the role of Robin Starveling in "Le Songe," and the creation of "Scheherazade." He also appeared in George Balanchine's "Prodigal Son" and Maurice Bejart's "Sacre du Printemps" during the company's Ballet Russes Centenary performances. Among the guest choreographers Ian has worked with are Jiri Kylian (dancing his "Les Noces)" and Emio Greco ("Le Corps du Ballet"). Ian was selected by Ramon Reis to dance in a full evening of several new works, in a project entitled "Vibrations," which premiered in Monaco, November 2010.
In the summer of 2012, Ian moved to London following his work as a dancer in the film version of the musical Les Miserables, directed by Tom Hooper. He now lives in London where he made his West End debut as Hans in the 2012 revival of Kander & Ebb's "Cabaret" at the Savoy Theatre. Following the closing of "Cabaret" Ian joined the cast of the UK & Europe touring company of "Cats" in early 2013 as assistant dance captain, swing and cover for Munkustrap.
Upon completion of his run in "Cats", Ian moved behind the scenes and joined the faculties of Performers College, The School of Ballet Theatre UK, and DanceEast, teaching ballet.
In September 2016, Ian moved back home to Canada to continue his studies in the Teacher Training Program for Former Professional Dancers at Canada's National Ballet School. He graduated with distinction in 2018, and is now a member of the artistic staff at NBS
Ian was also no stranger to the world of theatre as a child, and appeared in several semi-professional productions with the Nova Scotia Drama League, including "Annie," "The King and I," and "The Wizard of Oz." He also appeared in several productions of children's theatre as The Mirror in "Snow White," The Old Green Grasshopper in "James and the Giant Peach," and Wilbur in "Charlotte's Web."
Ian received his early training at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts in Halifax, training in voice, dance and musical theatre. He then spent six years in residence at Canada's National Ballet School, graduating with the musicianship award in 2007.
He joined the National Ballet of Canada's second company, where he danced various works from the classical repertoire, as well as the principal role in George Balanchine's "Who Cares." With the main company of the National Ballet of Canada, he danced the works of James Kudelka and John Neumeier. For the company's annual workshop, he choreographed a piece which is now in the repertoire of the second company.
Relocating to Monaco, he joined Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo in 2009, where the focus was on theatrical contemporary ballet performance. There, Ian toured the world dancing ballets of Jean-Christophe Maillot, including "Romeo et Juliette," "La Belle," "Cendrillon," the role of Robin Starveling in "Le Songe," and the creation of "Scheherazade." He also appeared in George Balanchine's "Prodigal Son" and Maurice Bejart's "Sacre du Printemps" during the company's Ballet Russes Centenary performances. Among the guest choreographers Ian has worked with are Jiri Kylian (dancing his "Les Noces)" and Emio Greco ("Le Corps du Ballet"). Ian was selected by Ramon Reis to dance in a full evening of several new works, in a project entitled "Vibrations," which premiered in Monaco, November 2010.
In the summer of 2012, Ian moved to London following his work as a dancer in the film version of the musical Les Miserables, directed by Tom Hooper. He now lives in London where he made his West End debut as Hans in the 2012 revival of Kander & Ebb's "Cabaret" at the Savoy Theatre. Following the closing of "Cabaret" Ian joined the cast of the UK & Europe touring company of "Cats" in early 2013 as assistant dance captain, swing and cover for Munkustrap.
Upon completion of his run in "Cats", Ian moved behind the scenes and joined the faculties of Performers College, The School of Ballet Theatre UK, and DanceEast, teaching ballet.
In September 2016, Ian moved back home to Canada to continue his studies in the Teacher Training Program for Former Professional Dancers at Canada's National Ballet School. He graduated with distinction in 2018, and is now a member of the artistic staff at NBS
