Fernand Nault
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Fernand Nault, O.C., C.Q. (December 27, 1920 – December 26, 2006) was a Canadian dancer and choreographer.
He was born Fernand-Noël Boissonneault in Montreal. After he abandoned his original career choice to become a priest, he studied dance with Maurice Morenoff in Montreal and went on to study in New York City, London and Paris. In 1944, Nault was hired by the American Ballet Theater at an audition in Montreal. He went on to become a ballet master with the company and later director for the company's school.
After his return to Canada in 1965, he was resident choreographer and later assistant director for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens.
His most well-known work is probably Les Grands' version of The Nutcracker. Other ballets by Nault include the rock ballet Tommy, created in 1970 based on the rock opera by The Who, and Carmina Burana, performed at Expo 67. Nault was also choreographer and ballet master for l'École supérieure de danse du Québec.
Nault has also been guest choreographer and artistic director for the Colorado Ballet. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1977 and a Knight of the National Order of Quebec in 1990.
He died in Montreal the day before his 86th birthday after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.
