Galien Johnston Hattori

Guest Ballet Mistress

Galien Johnston Hattori received her formal training at Canada’s National Ballet School before beginning her professional career with the National Ballet of Canada and Hamburg Ballet, later dancing as a Principal Dancer with Alberta Ballet. During her performing career, she toured internationally and appeared on renowned stages including the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, the Palais Garnier in Paris, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens. She also worked with some of ballet’s most respected teachers and choreographers, including Mavis Staines, John Neumeier, Jiří Kylián, Natalia Makarova, and Rudi van Dantzig.

Following her performing career, Galien began guest teaching throughout Alberta and Japan. From 2014–2016, she served as Guest Ballet Mistress with Alberta Ballet and directed the children’s casts for productions of The Nutcracker and Cinderella.

In 2016, Galien co-founded H/W School of Ballet alongside Yukichi Hattori and Tara Williamson. Along with teaching and directing the school, she continued working as a freelance performer with organizations including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Alberta Ballet, and Japan’s Saito Kinen Festival.

Since relocating to St. John’s, Galien has worked as a guest teacher with Kittiwake Ballet and Dance Studio East. She now serves as the lead teacher for the Kittiwake Ballet Conservatory. Passionate about mentoring dancers, she is dedicated to sharing her experience and inspiring the next generation of artists.