Nadia Potts was a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada and a dance teacher who shaped generations of dancers across Canada and beyond. A beloved wife, mother, sister and friend, she leaves behind her husband of 53 years, Harold Gomez; her children, Alexander and Natalya; her granddaughter, Lucie; her brother, Alexander; and many extended family members and friends.

Nadia was born on April 20, 1948, in London, England. Her family immigrated to Canada in 1952 and settled in Toronto. From the moment Nadia saw her first ballet, she fell in love and began studying dance at age seven with Betty Oliphant in her living room. She went on to train at Canada’s National Ballet School as soon as it opened. In 1966, at age 18, she joined the National Ballet of Canada and, three years later, was promoted to principal dancer, a position she held for the next 17 years. Nadia always said she never dreamt she would become a principal ballerina, yet she performed every role she had hoped to dance, including Juliet, Giselle, both Odette and Odile in Swan Lake, Lise in La Fille Mal Gardée, the Sylph in La Sylphide, the Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and the lead in Monotones along with numerous other roles. Her dancing was widely admired for its artistry, purity of technique, and emotional depth, and she was famously known for what many called the world’s best arabesque. Her stage presence and style captured audiences and is still remembered by ballet lovers today.

Nadia toured extensively, both with the National Ballet of Canada and as a guest artist throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe. She performed with almost all the principal dancers of the National Ballet and was also partnered by most of the world-renowned dancers of her time, including Rudolf Nureyev, Erik Bruhn, Peter Martins, Anthony Dowell, Fernando Bujones, and Mikhail Baryshnikov, who chose her to dance with him in his debut of Swan Lake.

After retiring from the stage, Nadia embarked on a highly successful teaching career. In 1986, she became a professor then director of the Dance Program at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University), where she was an inspiration and a true force of nature for 27 years. She brought together an exceptional group of artists and educators who thrived under her exacting yet deeply human and encouraging leadership. She transformed the program from a three-year diploma into a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, recognized for its high standard of training and education.

Nadia’s teaching and mentorship not only had a lasting impact on her students’ dancing but shaped them as people and artists. Her classes were known for their energy, rigour, and legendary sense of humour, as she used her quick wit and boundless enthusiasm to inspire students through even the most challenging work. Many former students say they still hear her voice guiding them, whether they went on to perform, teach, choreograph, or pursue other paths. Despite her stature as an artist and educator, Nadia remained modest and down to earth and cared deeply about making students feel important and seen. She received a GREET Teaching Award from Ryerson and is remembered with great affection by generations of students whose work continues to carry her influence forward.

Nadia authored a book, Betty Oliphant: The Artistry of Teaching, published by Dance Collection Danse (DCD). In 2014 she was honoured with Dance Ontario’s Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2024 was inducted into the Dance Collection Danse Hall of Fame.

Nadia brought the same energy, care, and commitment to her family life that she brought to her remarkable career. She met her husband Harold Gomez, the first clarinetist of the National Ballet orchestra, in 1972 and they quickly started building a wonderful life together. They supported and learned from each other as they went through their careers as performers and teachers. Their children, Alexander and Natalya felt fortunate to grow up with vibrantly interesting parents who brought them into all aspects of their lives. They were on tour with their parents from the age of 5 months until Nadia retired when they were 3 and 7. They also grew up surrounded by a large, close-knit extended family and have wonderful memories of lively holiday gatherings in their parents’ beautiful home.

Sharing a keen sense of adventure and a love of the outdoors, after she left the ballet, Nadia and Harold spent every summer taking the children on long road trips across every corner of North America, camping and hiking along the way. They stayed in one big tent in nearly every national park, from Yellowstone to Newfoundland (Nadia’s favourite place) and took canoe trips on the Magnetawan river with family. Her nieces fondly remember sharing in the Canadian wilderness with Nadia as children. Rain or shine, Nadia insisted on getting everyone out hiking as soon as they arrived. Later on, Nadia and Harold continued to travel as often and long as they could to places like the Arctic, Iceland and Norway.

Nadia had the good fortune to go through life surrounded by numerous good friends and family. She became an integral part of the community in the building where they lived. She was very fond of her brother, Alexander, and appreciated their closeness and shared memories. She was also delighted to be thoroughly entertained by and enamored with her 15-month-old granddaughter, Lucie. Here are some words that have been used to describe Nadia: A true character whose intelligence, passion, grace and energy were impossible to miss. Very funny. Inspirational. Honest, determined, courageous and curious. Her enthusiasm for life was infectious. Vivacious, stylish, perceptive, kind and direct. Always interesting and entertaining.

Nadia passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, at North York General Hospital, spending her last days connecting with family and friends from all areas of her life. She will be deeply missed and was grateful for a life well lived beyond her dreams, and for all who were part of it.

Donations in Nadia’s memory can be made to the Nadia Potts Heart and Soul Award for dancers at TMU/Ryerson. A donation link can be found at the top of this page. On TMU’s Give to the Creative School page, direct your gift under "Other Initiatives" from the dropdown menu.