In 1976, Tony Yazbek left his native country and his own dance company at the peak of his career as one of Lebanon’s top dancers and choreographers. Following short visits to France and Egypt where he produced original dance creations, Yazbek made a brief stopover in Montreal before settling in Ottawa.

Since his arrival in Canada, Tony has continued to build on his passion for the performing arts by creating, producing and presenting his artistic works to audiences in Canada and abroad.  His unwavering commitment to promoting Lebanese culture through stage performances supported by an extensive list of achievements in the local arts community have contributed to the recognition he has earned as the father of Lebanese performing arts in Canada.

Tony Yazbek’s pioneering spirit and is his broad vision for the place of Lebanese performing arts in Canada’s cultural landscape, have brought to life original works in Lebanese dance, music and theatre to audiences across the country for nearly 50 years.

• 14 multidisciplinary productions
• 26 full-length musicals and operettas
• over 100 original choreographies

• Founder and Director of the weekly Lebanese and Arabic radio programs from 1978 to 1984

• Founder of the monthly “Lebanese Variety Program” airing monthly on Rogers Television since 1979

• Founder and Director of St-Charbel’s church choir from 1979 to 1985

• Founder and Director of the Al-Arz Lebanese Language School between 1980 and 1990

• President of the Ottawa Folk Arts Council from 1984 to 1990

• Director of the Homelands/Les Patries multicultural festival from 1981 to 1992

• Cairman of the Programming Committee of the Ontario Folk Arts Council from 1985 to 1989

• Co-Chair of the City of Ottawa’s Leadership Committee from 1997 to 1999

• Co-Founder and current Director of Carnival of Cultures