Keaton Leier is a Canadian professional dancer, currently performing as a Second Soloist with the National Ballet of Canada.

Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Leier began his dance journey taking hip hop at La Danse, before transitioning into more styles of dancing at Brenda’s School of Baton & Dance. His professional training began at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, where he joined the professional division at age 17 and graduated with distinction. Leier then went on to join Houston Ballet II.

His professional career began with the Atlanta Ballet (2017-2022), with his most notable performances dancing Albrecht in Giselle, and The Nutcracker Prince at the Kennedy Center.

He then joined the National Ballet of Canada in 2022, and has since performed an extensive repertoire with the company. Most recently, Keaton made his debut as Florizel in Christopher Wheeldon’s The Winter’s Tale and performed in the world premiere of  Procession, choreographed by Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber. His other repertoire highlights include, Lensky in Onegin, Konstantin Levin in Anna Karenina, Jack/The Knave in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Peter/The Nutcracker in The Nutcracker, Paris in Romeo and Juliet Neapolitan Dance in Swan Lake as well as roles in such ballets as Cinderella, Don Quixote, Giselle, MADDADDAM, Angels’ Atlas, Jewels, Suite en Blanc, Concerto, Symphony in C, Rhapsody, Anima Animus, The Four Seasons, Emma Bovary, Passion, The Collective Agreement and Reverence.

In addition to dancing, Keaton a co-founder of the Artists Climate Collective, a platform where the arts and environmentalism intersect. He is actively pushing for change and sustainable practices within the arts and dance community.