Chan Hon Goh

Vice President

Chan Hon Goh is a distinguished Canadian ballet leader whose career reflects a rare synthesis of artistic excellence and thoughtful leadership. A former Principal Dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, she was the first dancer of Chinese heritage to attain this rank, performing leading roles across the classical repertoire and touring internationally with critical acclaim.

Her early training was marked by exceptional achievement. She earned the highest
standing in all Royal Academy of Dance vocational examinations and was awarded the Solo Seal. In 1988, she was a Silver Medallist at the Genée International Ballet
Competition and was also recognised at the Prix de Lausanne, reflecting a foundation of discipline and excellence that continues to inform her work.

She is now General and Artistic Director of Goh Ballet Academy Canada, where she has strengthened training standards while expanding national and international pathways for emerging artists. Under her direction, graduates have entered leading companies worldwide, reflecting a disciplined and globally aligned approach to professional formation.

Her leadership extends into the broader cultural sector as a founding member of the
Vancouver Arts and Culture Policy Council, contributing to long-term thinking on arts infrastructure, access, and sustainability. She is regularly invited to serve on international juries where she supports the cultivation of artistic standards on a global stage. Ms. Goh was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honours, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to ballet as both an artist and a leader, and for her sustained commitment to the development of future generations of dancers. She has also received national and civic honours acknowledging her enduring impact on Canada’s cultural landscape.

With a perspective shaped by performance, education, and governance, she brings a considered and principled voice to leadership. Her work reflects a deep respect for tradition, balanced with a clear view toward the future, supporting the advancement of dance education with integrity, rigour, and global relevance.