Betty Farrally, O.C.

honour roll inductee

Biography

Betty Farrally, O.C., was one of the founders of the Winnipeg Ballet. She emigrated to Canada in 1938, with Gweneth Lloyd, to establish the Canadian School of Ballet in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as well as the Winnipeg Ballet Club. Ms. Farrally became the Club’s Designer and Ballet Mistress while continuing to perform as Principal Dancer until 1950.

In 1950, after Ms. Lloyd left for Toronto, Ms. Farrally took on the role of Artistic Director, although Ms. Lloyd still held the title. She was officially appointed Artistic Director in 1955 and held the position until 1957. Ms. Farrally continued to operate the Winnipeg branch of the Canadian School of Ballet until 1962 when it became The School of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

Ms. Farrally’s most notable dancing role was as “The New Girl” in Finishing School.

Besides her role as a dancer, Ballet Mistress, and Artistic Director, Ms. Farrally also designed the costumes for Kilowatt Magic, Les Coryphees, and Concerto. She also wrote the scenarios for ballets including The Wise Virgins, Finishing School, Pleasure Cruise, Triple Alliance, and Backstage 1897. She often used the pseudonym “Josephine Blowe”.

Ms. Farrally served as the Ballet Mistress of the Kelowna branch of the Canadian School of Ballet from its inception until her retirement in 1974. She also became co-director of the Dance Division at the Banff School of Fine Arts, together with Arnold Spohr, after Ms. Lloyd retired from the position in 1967. Ms. Farrally continued to teach there until 1981.

Ms. Farrally received a Civic Achievement medal from the City of Winnipeg (1977), the Royal Academy of Dancing Fellowship Award (1979), and the Dance in Canada Award (1984). She was named an Officer in the Order of Canada in 1981. She also received the Canadian Conference of the Arts Diploma d’honneur posthumously (1989). Ms. Farrally died in 1989 at the age of 73.