Hope Muir, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, announced today promotions for the 2025/26 season: Larkin Miller to Principal Dancer, Peng-Fei Jiang to First Soloist and Monika Haczkiewicz, Isabella Kinch, Erica Lall and David Preciado to Second Soloist.

“Witnessing the extraordinary artistry, deep commitment and incredible versatility of our dancers was a constant inspiration for me throughout the 2024/25 season. I am so proud of the entire company. A privilege of my job, and one of my greatest joys, is to recognize the unique contribution of individuals with promotions. Following impressive debuts in a diverse list of roles, I am thrilled to acknowledge these talented artists who are not only being recognized for their exquisite performances but also for their readiness to embrace the future and be role models for the next generation.

I am delighted to promote Larkin Miller to Principal Dancer. Larkin has had an inspired path to this position and through his deep sensitivity and dedication to this artform, he has excelled in many full-length productions including James Kudelka’s Cinderella and The Nutcracker and the lead role in John Cranko’s Onegin. His passionate portrayal of Count Vronsky in the North American premiere of Christian Spuck’s Anna Karenina was an exceptional standout performance as was his thrilling virtuosity in the North American premiere of The Four Seasons by David Dawson. Congratulations, Larkin on this milestone moment and I look forward to a bright future for The National Ballet of Canada.

It is my great pleasure to promote Peng-Fei Jiang to First Soloist and Monika Haczkiewicz, Isabella Kinch, Erica Lall and David Preciado to Second Soloist. The growth each of these dancers have shown this season is exceptional and I look forward to seeing how they continue to flourish in the coming seasons. Congratulations to all,” said Muir.

2025/26 Promotions:

Larkin Miller is Promoted to Principal Dancer

Miller was born in Los Angeles, California and trained at The School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. He joined The National Ballet of Canada in 2016. When Miller made his debut as Prince Charming in Cinderella, the Toronto Star hailed: “Larkin Miller fits the ballet prince mould perfectly.” Last season, he made his debut in the title role in Onegin and recently made his debuts as Count Vronsky in Anna Karenina, Benno in Swan Lake and the male lead in Summer and Winter in The Four Seasons. Miller’s repertoire includes Peter/The Nutcracker in The Nutcracker, Raj/The Caterpillar in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and the male lead in Passion while on tour in London and Paris.

Peng-Fei Jiang is Promoted to First Soloist

Born in Anhui, China and trained at the Beijing Dance Academy and the New Zealand School of Dance, Jiang joined The National Ballet of Canada in 2017. Prior to joining the company, he danced with The Royal New Zealand Ballet and The Hong Kong Ballet. An elegant dancer with a commanding stage presence, Ludwig Van described him as “a commanding, charismatic figure” as Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet and the Toronto Star hailed him as a “standout” as the Raj/Caterpillar in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Jiang recently made his debut as Albrecht in Giselle and Rothbart in Swan Lake and has danced such roles as Prince Florimund in The Sleeping Beauty and an Icicle in The Nutcracker.

Monika Haczkiewicz is Promoted to Second Soloist

Haczkiewicz was born in Las Vegas, Nevada and trained at Nevada Ballet Theatre, Kwak Ballet Academy, Tara Foy’s Elite Ballet, Nevada School of Dance and Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. She danced with Atlanta Ballet before joining The National Ballet of Canada in 2019. Haczkiewicz impressed audiences with her feisty Mercedes in the North American premiere of Carlos Acosta’s Don Quixote and was playful as the Tall Girl in Balanchine’s Rubies. Recently, she made her debut as Princess Betsy Tverskaja in Anna Karenina and the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker and her repertoire includes La Sieste in Suite en Blanc, Petal in Cinderella, Lady Montague in Romeo and Juliet and David Dawson’s Anima Animus and The Four Seasons. In 2024, Haczkiewicz was recognized with the Patron Award of Merit.

Isabella Kinch is Promoted to Second Soloist

Born in Smithers, British Columbia and trained at Canada’s National Ballet School and Edmonton School of Ballet, Kinch joined The National Ballet of Canada in 2022. Recently, Kinch made her debut as Kitty in Anna Karenina, the Queen of the Dryads in Don Quixote and Elizabeth, Siegfried’s Sister in Swan Lake and she danced in the world premiere of Morpheus’ Dream. Her repertoire includes the Snow Queen and Arabian Coffee in The Nutcracker, Serénade in the Canadian premiere of Suite en Blanc and The Four Seasons.

Erica Lall is Promoted to Second Soloist

Raised in Cypress, Texas and trained at Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy and American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, Lall danced with ABT Studio Company and American Ballet Theatre before joining The National Ballet of Canada in 2024. With American Ballet Theatre, Lall’s repertoire included Amour in Don Quixote, Moyna in Giselle and Wayne McGregor's Woolf Works and she created leading roles in Helen Pickett's Desire and Christopher Rudd's Lifted and more. With the National Ballet, she recently made her debut in the Canadian premiere of Silent Screen by Sol León and Paul Lightfoot of which Critics at Large wrote: “Erica Lall… brought fresh energy… providing an intriguing counterpoint to the central drama." Lall also debuted as Kitty in Anna Karenina, Myrtha in Giselle and Elizabeth, Siegfried’s Sister in Swan Lake and danced in The Leaves Are Fading.

David Preciado is Promoted to Second Soloist

Preciado was born in Los Angeles, California and trained at Los Angeles Ballet Academy and San Francisco Ballet School. He danced with Charlotte Ballet before joining The National Ballet of Canada in 2022. Recently, Preciado made his debut in the Pas de Six in Giselle of which Ludwig Van exclaimed, “Preciado has to be one of the best classicists in the company. His jumps and turns and pin-spot landings were quite breath-taking." His roles include L’Abbé in the world premiere of Helen Pickett’s Emma Bovary, Amour in Don Quixote, Fox and Spanish Chocolate in The Nutcracker, the male lead in the Canadian premiere of Rhapsody, Suite en Blanc and The Four Seasons. In 2024, Preciado was awarded the Patron Award of Merit.

Photo: Larkin Miller. © Karolina Kuras.