Earth Month: Keaton Leier, a new voice in Ballet's sustainability movement

Earth Day feature 

This Earth Month we caught up with Imperfect Pointes' long-time collaborator, Keaton Leier, Second Soloist with the National Ballet of Canada. We first connected two years ago through the community Keaton Co-founded Artists Climate Collective (ACC), which led to his love of Imperfect Pointes dancewear

Artists Climate Collective: Building a Community for Change

Keaton is not only passionate about sustainable dancewear but is actively driving environmental change in the arts. As Co-Founder and Director of the Artists Climate Collective (ACC), he created a platform where dance and environmental advocacy intersect. Alongside Charlotte Nash and Madeline Bez, Keaton saw the need for a collective that would unite dancers who are passionate about the environment and sustainability, providing a community where they could collaborate and amplify their impact.

Keaton performing with Erica Lall in their Imperfect Pointes costumes. 

ACC has received feedback from artists expressing gratitude for a space to voice their concerns and drive meaningful change. Keaton envisions an even larger, more interactive community where dancers can connect, exchange ideas, and work together for a sustainable future. 

One of Keaton’s personal projects with Artists Climate Collective has started to receive acclaim and was included in a major climate event, the Climate Reality Leadership Training Conference, where ACC members, dancers, and Keaton performed in front of environmental leader and former US Vice President Al Gore.

 “Keaton Leier and Artists Climate Collective members with Al Gore at the Climate Reality Leadership Training, wearing sustainably made dancewear from Imperfect Pointes”

Tell us about your choreography and how Imperfect Pointes came to be involved. 

Keaton Leier: 

‘Atmosphere started as a commission in which Artists Climate Collective was to be included in Trellis Group’s (formerly Greenbiz Group) biodiversity conference, held in San Jose, California in 2024. The conference had posted a “call for artists” and I applied with a pitch to present my choreography, which soon became ‘Atmosphere’.  

The short trio was intended to give the conference attendees an experience that gives them a moment of mental space, and a chance to feel peace. Experiencing live performance can really relax the brain and enable you to consider things with different perspectives. Keaton explains, and my intention was to create an atmosphere that gave the audience space to really digest the information they received throughout their time at the conference, and what they had learned.

The music is set to a new composition created by the esteemed Paul Leonard-Morgan and Suuvi in collaboration. This music really adds to the effect I was trying to have on the conference. The costumes for the piece are created by sustainable dancewear creator, Helen Banks, who is the founder and owner of Imperfect Pointes Dancewear.' 

The work is titled ‘Atmosphere’ to reference both definitions. Its purpose is to create an atmospheric space within an environment that gives the mind a chance to breathe. It is also a gentle but obvious nod towards the delicate and vulnerable layers of our planet's atmosphere’. 

Madeline Bez, back left Co-Founder of Artists Climat Collective with Shaakir Muhammad  Calley Skalnik First Soloists of National Ballet of Canada performing Atmosphere by Keaton Leier. Dancewear is custom made by Imperfect Pointes in shade'Biscotti'. 

Keaton Leier’s Ballet Journey

Keaton Leier ballet dancer, male ballet dancer, National Ballet of Canada

Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Keaton’s ballet career began at Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and continued at Houston Ballet II. After performing with Atlanta Ballet, he joined the National Ballet of Canada in 2022, and quickly rose to Second Soloist in 2024. With key roles in productions such as Jack in Alice in Wonderland and Lensky in Onegin, Keaton Leier is gaining recognition for his artistry and depth on stage.

It was during National Ballet of Canada’s 2024 Auturmn European tour that we were finally able to meet in person when Helen attended the performance at Sadler’s Wells in London. Subsequently, we were able to mark the occasion with an impromptu photo shoot with ballet photographer Bella Turolla, producing some of the most memorable visuals Imperfect Pointes has created over the last few years. (Keaton also introduced Imperfect Pointes to esteemed Principal dancer and Keaton’s pas de deux partner, Koto Ishihara who gave us her time on the shoot) 

Championing Sustainability in Dancewear

For Keaton, sustainable practices in dance aren’t just ideals, they’re essential. By partnering with Imperfect Pointes, he champions the values of thoughtful production and longevity. His belief is that ballet and sustainability should go hand in hand, with an emphasis on reducing waste without sacrificing the style, elegance and functionality dancers need. Indeed, despite not wearing convertible tights himself, Keaton has introduced NBOC’s wardrobe department to Imperfect Pointes tights made from recycled materials. 
https://imperfectpointes.com/pages/sustainability

Keaton Leier’s Tips for a Sustainable Life in Dance

For Earth Day we asked Keaton for his top 5 Tips:

Engage with Social Media: Use your platforms to highlight sustainability issues in our industry and showcase eco friendly practices and products in dance. Follow and support conscious creators and brands. 

Shopping secondhand: almost all of Keaton’s personal wardrobe, furniture and housewares are secondhand or vintage and he is known for his love of thrifting. 

Adopt Reusable Alternatives: Small changes, like selecting sustainable dancewear brands, can inspire others in the dance community. 

Create Art with Purpose: When developing personal work, explore themes of environmental awareness and sustainability.

Think Long Term: Sustainability is a journey, not a sprint. Building community and creating lasting impact takes time, but every step forward contributes to the larger goal and get your company or school to champion ethical and sustainably made products.

How does Keaton approach his stage performances and roles? 

Each male ballet dancer role is more than a display of skill; it is an exploration of character and narrative, presenting audiences with an authentic portrayal that goes beyond technique. Keaton explains: 

‘I try to connect the emotions of the character to each step I am taking. If there is no character, I analyze how the music makes me feel, or how I picture the music looking. Taking time to do this is what's really important for me and my process in ballet.

Imperfect Pointes is always on the look out for dancers who share our mission. We are incredibly proud to be working with Keaton, as an advocate for sustainability in the dance industry for the third Earth Day in a row. It is a bonus that he looks great in all our men's dance tights and shorts.