BLACK BALLERINA
WCD is thrilled to present Black Ballerina by award-winning and critically acclaimed Syreeta Hector.
Based on Hector’s blackness & indigeneity in relationship to classical ballet, award-winning and critically acclaimed Black Ballerina explores the nuances within identity & the unconscious ways one tries to fit in. This will be the first time Toronto-based Hector’s work will be presented in Manitoba.
Artist Talk to follow Sunday matinee.
Created & Performed by:
Syreeta Hector
Movement Dramaturg:
Seika Boye (2017-2020) and Dedra McDermott (2020- Current)
Lighting:
Noah Feaver
Sound Design:
Germaine Liu and Mark Zurawinski
Stage Manager and Production Manager:
Helin Gungoren
Photo (above):
Jeremy Mimnagh
Syreeta Hector
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Syreeta Hector
Syreeta Hector is a dance artist and educator in Toronto, Ontario. As a highly accomplished performer, Syreeta has worked for internationally recognized companies like Adelheid Dance Projects, Danny Grossman Dance Company, Political Movement, Peggy Baker Dance Projects, and Toronto Dance Theatre. She is a proud graduate of The National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program, The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, and has achieved her Master of Arts in Dance
Studies from York University.
Her work called “Black Ballerina” focuses on the dualities within ones identity, along with Syreeta’s blackness and indigeneity in relationship to classical ballet. This short work in progress solo gained recognition at the SummerWorks Festival in 2019. Here, the piece won the Stratford Festival Lab Award for Research and Creation. The version of the piece was also performed at the Citadel Dance Mix 2019. Here, the performance was nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award.
“Black Ballerina” was live streamed during the pandemic and currently the live version of “Black Ballerina” is touring nationally.
Syreeta is currently one of the Luminato Artists in Residence and part of the Creative Incubator at the Citadel+ Compagnie.
Website: syreetahector.com
Photo by David Leyes
Seika Boye
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Seika Boye
Movement Dramaturg
Dr. Seika Boye is a scholar, writer, educator and artist whose practices revolve around dance and
movement. She is a Lecturer in the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies/Director
of the Institute for Dance Studies, University of Toronto. Seika’s writing has appeared in numerous
scholarly journals and magazines and she is the curator of the archival exhibition It’s About Time:
Dancing Black in Canada 1900-1970. Seika was an artist-in-residence at the Art Gallery of Ontario
2018-19 and she currently works as movement dramaturg with artists/collectives including Natasha
Powell/Holla Jazz, Syreeta Hector and Mix Mix Dance Collective.
Dedra McDermott
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Dedra McDermott
Movement Dramaturg
Dedra McDermott (she/her) is an award-winning Black, new generation artist working as a
professional dancer, choreographer, producer, and movement dramaturg based in Tkaronto
(Toronto). The scope of her performance career includes the diverse worlds of theatre, film and
television. Selected credits include Disney’s “Zombies” and “Zombies 2”, Royal Caribbean
Productions, fu-GEN Theatre, Rodney Diverlus and Syrus Marcus Ware, Laurence Lemieux,
Syreeta Hector, and “American Gods” on Starz Network. She has earned a B.F.A in
Choreography and Performance from York University and a Master of Arts from The Centre for
Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies at The University of Toronto. Her current artistic
research focuses on movement dramaturgy and exploring choreographic facilitation methods that
prioritize identity, memory and exploring what it means to reconstitute the voice in
choreographic practice. Her work has been presented at The Forum of Original Theatre /
Theory / Thought (University of Toronto, 2021) and The Selma Odom Lecture Series (Toronto,
2021).
Noah Feaver
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Noah Feaver
Lighting Design
Noah Feaver is a Dora Award nominated lighting designer originally from Vancouver BC, now
resident in Toronto, working in dance, theatre, and opera. Education includes the Ryerson School of
Performance and The Banff Centre, as well as mentorships with several prominent Canadian
lighting designers. Noah is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada.
Website: noahfeaver.com
Helin Gungoren
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Helin Gungoren
Stage Manager & Production Manager
Based in Toronto, Helin Gungoren (she/her) works primarily as a stage manager and arts administrator with a focus on dance, festivals and events. Some of the companies Helin has worked with/for include Citadel + Compagnie, Toronto Fringe Festival, STDT, Granite Motion Gallery, Wild Rabbit dance projects, and New Blue Dance. She received her BFA in Performance Production from Ryerson’s School of Performance.
Like a Dog + Icône Pop
Out of a concern for safety and well-being, we have made the decision to cancel our upcoming performances of Like a Dog & Icône Pop.
We appreciate your understanding, all ticket holders have been contacted directly.
**********
WCD is thrilled to commission Mélanie Demers to create a new work for WCD!
This new work will be programmed with Demers’ solo Icône Pop. Internationally acclaimed, Demer’s work has been presented throughout Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Her multi-award-winning work is known for its originality, intensity, and complexity. This show features a unique audience experience with performances inside the theatre and “in situ” in the McKim Building’s underground parkade.
Artist Talk to follow Saturday night’s performance.
Icône Pop was a co-production with Operaestate Festival – Comune di Bassano del Grappa.
LIKE A DOG:
Choreography:
Mélanie Demers
Performers:
Carol-Ann Bohrn, Mark Dela Cruz
Rehearsal Directors:
Anne-Marie Jourdenias (for MAYDAY) and Jolene Bailie (for WCD)
Lighting:
Hugh Conacher
Music:
Jean-Sébastien Côté
Costumes:
Mélanie Demers. Special thanks Elen Ewing for having opened her wardrobe.
Photo (duet):
Cloe Pluquet
ICÔNE POP:
Choreography:
Mélanie Demers
Performers:
Stacey Désilier, Mykalle Beilinski
Music:
Mykalle Beilinski
Costumes:
Mélanie Demers
Photo (solo):
Christian Brault
Mélanie Demers
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Mélanie Demers
A multidisciplinary artist, Mélanie Demers founded in Montreal her own dance company, MAYDAY, in 2007, exploring the powerful link between the poetical and the political. Les Angles Morts (2006), Sense of Self (2008), Junkyard/ Paradise (2010) and Goodbye (2012) have all been created from this perspective. With MAYDAY remix (2014), she deepened her engagement with cross-genre works and hybrid forms. Her fascination with the interplay between word and gesture crystallized with WOULD (2015), which won the CALQ Prize for best choreography. In 2016, Mélanie Demers began a new creation cycle with Animal Triste and Icône Pop; both works are touring internationally. In 2017, Mélanie Demers was invited to work as a guest choreographer at the Skånes Dansteater in Malmö (Sweden) for the creation of Something About Wilderness. Now that Danse Mutante has hit the stage, it is time for MAMA, La Goddam Voie Lactée, Confession Publique and Cabaret Noir to enter the spotlight.
To date, she choreographed thirty works and was presented in some forty cities across Europe, America, Africa and Asia.
Photo: Julie Artacho
Anne-Marie Jourdenais
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Anne-Marie Jourdenais
Rehearsal Director(MAYDAY)
Anne-Marie Jourdenais has been working in the Montreal dance scene for twenty-five years. Initially a performer, she evolved in the worlds of Marie-Pascale Bélanger, Estelle Clareton, Mélanie Demers, Harold Rhéaume and Jacques Poulin-Denis, among others. Then, little by little, the work of the eyes takes over the work of the body and she becomes rehearsal director. Over the years, she has shared questions, advice and insights with, among others: Alan Lake, Mélanie Demers, Ginette Laurin, Manon Oligny, Marie-Claude Rodrigue and Dave St-Pierre. Fascinated by all that the body can feel and express, Anne-Marie also devotes herself to the practice and teaching of Qi Gong.
Anne-Marie Jourdenais œuvre dans le milieu de la danse montréalais depuis vingt-cinq ans. D’abord interprète, elle évolue, entre autres, dans les univers de Marie-Pascale Bélanger, Estelle Clareton, Mélanie Demers, Harold Rhéaume et Jacques Poulin-Denis. Puis, peu à peu, le travail du regard prend le dessus sur le travail du corps et elle devient directrice des répétitions. Au fil des ans, elle partage questions, conseils et intuitions avec, entre autres : Alan Lake, Mélanie Demers, Ginette Laurin, Manon Oligny, Marie-Claude Rodrigue et Dave St-Pierre. Fascinée par tout ce que le corps peut ressentir et exprimer, Anne-Marie se consacre aussi à la pratique et à l’enseignement du Qi Gong.
Photo by Youri Broch
Jolene Bailie
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Jolene Bailie
Rehearsal Director (WCD)
Jolene Bailie is a choreographer, director and producer of contemporary dance.
Appointed Artistic Director of Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers in fall 2019, Bailie has created and re-created several works for WCD, produced shows annually in Winnipeg for 22 years, created 12 full-length works, presented over 450 performances, and toured her choreography to national and international critical acclaim.
Previous to working for WCD, Bailie was Founding Artistic Director of Gearshifting Performance Works, choreographing over 30 original works, commissioning new works, and presenting the work of guest artists.
She has worked as a Rehearsal Director for ten group works by Bill Evans, for Sending Love by the late Rachel Browne, for quartet by Marie-Josee Chartier, for Begin Again by Jera Wolfe, for Like a Dog by Melanie Demers and for her own work.
Bailie holds a Master of Fine Arts from The American Dance Festival/Hollins University, a Teaching Certificate form The Royal Academy of Dance, a BA honors degree in Theatre from The University of Winnipeg and is a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers.
Photo by Kristen Sawatsky
Hugh Conacher
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Hugh Conacher
Lighting Design
Hugh Conacher is a lighting and multi-media designer, and a photographer. He has collaborated with choreographers, directors, visual artists, and dance and theatre companies throughout Canada and around the world, in venues large and small. His multi-disciplinary process straddles the worlds of lighting design, new media technologies, projection and photography, using whichever media form best serves the vision of the project. Originally from Toronto, Hugh has a long association with WCD, having worked as Resident Lighting Designer at WCD from 1983-2007, with WCD Artistic Directors Bill Evans, Tedd Robinson, and Tom Stroud. Hugh was a long time collaborator with WCD founder Rachel Browne, as well as current AD Jolene Bailie. Hugh has been a member of the Associated Designers of Canada since 1982 and is a member of l’Association des professionnels des arts de la scène du Québec.
Jean-Sébastien Côté
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Jean-Sébastien Côté
Music
Jean-Sébastien Côté is a Canadian composer and sound designer based in Aylmer, Quebec. His work has been closely linked to the Canadian stage director Robert Lepage for whom he designed and / or composed the music of seminal shows like 887, Needles and Opium, LipSynch, The Dragons’ Trilogy, The Far Side Of The Moon and The Andersen Project, amongst others. He also had the privilege to work with some of Canada’s best theatre directors and choreographers such as Daniel Brooks, Wajdi Mouawad, François Girard and Melanie Demers.
In addition to his work for the stage, he also composed and mixed the music of many documentaries, tv ads, Virtual Reality experiences and multimedia shows, and designed sound systems for both touring and permanent installations.
In recent years, he has developed an expertise in multimedia and interactive installations, providing technical design and artistic content to various companies such as TKNL, 4U2C-Cirque du Soleil, Normal Studio, Ottomata, Atomic3 and 4Elements to bring rich and engaging sonic experiences to the public.
Photo by Guillaume Houët-Brisebois.
Stacey Désilier
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Stacey Désilier
Performer
Passionate about movement, the possibilities of the body and fascinated by dance, Stacey quickly realized she wanted to make dance her profession. She pursued professional studies at the École de danse contemporaine de Montréal, which led her to collaborate with choreographers and performers Marie-Claire Forté, Sasha Kleinplatz, George Stamos, Helene Simard and Mélanie Demers – MAYDAY. In 2018, Stacey joined the company Animal of Distinction and participated in their new creation FRONTERA. Then, she leaves to discover the world through movement by collaborating with Cirque Éloize, Les 7 doigts de la main, L’Opéra de Québec (Starmania), and most recently with the company Tentacle Tribe, which brings her back to her urban dance roots and her Haitian culture. Her artistic practice and cooperative work give her an inner wealth that she wishes to share with various organizations, countries and artists.
Passionnée du mouvement, des possibilités du corps et fascinée par la danse, Stacey réalise rapidement vouloir faire de la danse son métier. Elle poursuit des études professionnelles à l’École de danse contemporaine de Montréal, ce qui l’amène à collaborer alors avec les chorégraphes et interprètes Marie-Claire Forté, Sasha Kleinplatz, George Stamos, Helene Simard et Mélanie Demers compagnie MAYDAY.
En 2018, Stacey intègre la compagnie Animal of Distinction et participe à leur nouvelle création FRONTERA. Elle part ensuite découvrir le monde à travers le mouvement grâce à des collaborations avec Cirque Éloize, Les 7 doigts de la main, L’Opéra de Québec (Starmania), puis tout récemment avec la compagnie Tentacle Tribe qui la ramène vers ses racines de danse urbaine et sa culture haïtienne. Sa pratique artistique et le travail coopératif lui donnent une richesse intérieure qu’elle souhaite partager avec divers organismes, pays et artistes.
Mykalle Bielinski
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Mykalle Bielinski
Performer
Mykalle Bielinski practices singing, performing, composing music, and writing poetry and plays. Her works are immersive concerts, sensory experiences about being and the sacred. In 2015, she created Gloria (Théâtre La Chapelle, Mois Multi, Operaestate, CAM on tour, PushOFF, Re:flux, OFFTA), a 360° multimedia solo opera, then Mythe in 2019 (Espace libre, Mois Multi, OFFTA) where she brings together a women’s choir to sing about impermanence. Known for her aerial voice and electro music, she has also performed with her solo musical project throughout the province and in Europe. A graduate of UQAM in theatre performance, she also collaborates as a musician and actress with directors and choreographers: Mélanie Demers, Édith Patenaude, Véronique and Gabrielle Côté, Frédéric Blanchette, Philippe Cyr, projets hybris, Eugenio Barba and many others.
Mykalle Bielinski pratique le chant, l’interprétation, la composition musicale et l’écriture poétique et scénique. Ses œuvres sont des concerts immersifs, des expériences sensorielles sur l’être et le sacré. En 2015, elle crée Gloria (Théâtre La Chapelle, Mois Multi, Operaestate, CAM en tournée, PushOFF, Re:flux, OFFTA), un opéra solo multimédia en 360°, puis Mythe en 2019 (Espace libre, Mois Multi, OFFTA) où elle réunit un chœur de femmes pour chanter l’impermanence. Connue pour sa voix aérienne et sa musique électro, elle s’est aussi produite avec son projet musical solo un peu partout dans la province et en Europe. Diplômée de l’UQAM en interprétation théâtrale, elle collabore également comme musicienne et actrice avec metteur.e.s en scène et chorégraphes : Mélanie Demers, Édith Patenaude, Véronique et Gabrielle Côté, Frédéric Blanchette, Philippe Cyr, projets hybris, Eugenio Barba et bien d’autres.
Photo by Manon Parent
Carol-Ann Bohrn
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Carol-Ann Bohrn
Performer
Carol-Ann Bohrn returns for a third season with WCD. WCD performance credits include: New Creation by Melanie Demers, Body & Light, The Space in Between, Modulations, Last Schema, An Aspect of Alterity, and Anthem (all by Jolene Bailie) and Begin Again (by Jera Wolfe). Additional performance credits: Four seasons and 47 performances with Gearshifting Performance Works (Bailie, Marie-Josée Chartier, Rachel Browne), By Grand Central Station at Prairie Theatre Exchange (Thomas Morgan Jones), Sick + Twisted Theatre, Odette Heyn, Ming Hon, Saskatoon’s White Birch Ballet (Darlene Williams, Gioconda Barbuto, Josh Beamish), and for television commercials, music videos and film. Carol-Ann has participated and been mentored through the Cartae Open School at aceartinc and the Foundation Mentorship Program at MAWA. Carol-Ann Bohrn grew up in Brandon, Manitoba, is a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers and additionally trained at Ryerson University and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Teacher Training Program. Carol-Ann also performs in WCD: Class at Home, a free online class by WCD, danced in WCD’s Guest Artist in Residence research project with Ralph Escamillan, remixing choreography by Tedd Robinson, and is dancing in upcoming new work by Jolene Bailie.
Photo by Jenna Wilder
Mark Dela Cruz
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Mark Dela Cruz
Performer
More info to come
Photo by @sarionss x @cdmren
in between here and now
in between here and now Online Presentation
Made for camera
Created & produced at The Rachel Browne Theatre
in between here an now by Artistic Director, Jolene Bailie, featuring an ensemble of Winnipeg dancers and lighting by long-time collaborator, Hugh Conacher. Known for her visual and complex work, Bailie creates experimental works that are abstract, personal and reflective. This new work explores dynamics of perceptions and desire.
Artist Talk to follow Sunday matinee
Choreography:
Jolene Bailie
Lighting:
Hugh Conacher
Sound:
Emma Hendrix
Visual Artist:
Simon Hughes
Video and Editing:
Landon Lake
Photo (above):
Leif Norman
Dancers:
Carol-Ann Bohrn, Kira Hofmann, Julious Gambalan, Shawn Maclaine, Warren McClelland, Shayla Rudd
Stage Manager:
Ntara Curry
Vocal Coaching:
Debbie Patterson
Artist Talk Moderator:
Ian Mozdzen
Jolene Bailie
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Jolene Bailie
Jolene Bailie is a choreographer, director and producer of contemporary dance. Her work reflects on humanness, soul and identity to express a deeply human experience that is honest, complex and thorough.
Bailie has created 12 full-length works, 30+ shorter works, and toured her work to national and international critical acclaim.
Appointed Artistic Director of WCD in fall 2019, works performed by WCD since appointment include: Body & Light, Modulations, The Space In Between, Last Schema, Anthem, An Aspect of Alterity and Covid Sonata. Bailie’s choreography has also been presented for Calibrations of Flux, Up Close and disDANCING and Reconnect for WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative.
Bailie holds a Masters of Fine Art in Dance through The American Dance Festival/Hollins University and is the Founding Artistic Director of Gearshifting Performance Works, a company that successfully operated for 19 years and where she created over 30 original works.
Bailie’s career began with over a decade of solo performance; highlights include performing works by Jose Limon, Anna Sokolow, Marie-Josee Chartier, Joe Laughlin, Denise Clarke, Deborah Dunn, Marc Boivin, Bill Evans and Rachel Browne.
In 2004 her focus began to shift to choreography and then it shifted again in 2009 to focus on creating for an ensemble of dancers.
As an emerging dancer Bailie earned a Teacher’s Certificate with Distinction from The Royal Academy of Dance and a Bachelor of Arts Honors degree and the Gold Medal Award for Academic Excellence from The University of Winnipeg.
Bailie trained at institutions, intensives and with Master Teachers all over North America. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Bailie is also a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers.
Photo: Kristen Sawatsky
Hugh Conacher
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Hugh Conacher
Lighting
Hugh Conacher is a lighting and multi-media designer, and a photographer. He has collaborated with choreographers, directors, visual artists, and dance and theatre companies throughout Canada and around the world, in venues large and small. His multi-disciplinary process, the foundation of which is over 30 years as a lighting designer, straddles the worlds of lighting design, new media technologies, projection and photography, using whichever media form best serves the vision of the project.
Originally from Toronto, Hugh has a long association with WCD, having worked as Resident Lighting Designer at WCD from 1983-2007, with WCD Artistic Directors Bill Evans, Tedd Robinson, and Tom Stroud. Hugh was a long time collaborator with WCD founder Rachel Browne, as well as current AD Jolene Bailie, having worked with Bailie on over 450 performances.
Hugh has been a member of the Associated Designers of Canada since 1982 and is a member of l’Association des professionnels des arts de la scène du Québec.
photo: Leif Norman
Emma Hendrix
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Emma Hendrix
Sound Design
Emma is a sound designer, composer and artist focused on creative technology. Through sound Emma builds visceral, expressive environments that explore the inherent qualities of sounds, particularly field recordings, found sounds, and ‘machine languages’ of everyday things. Emma creates installations, performances and creative experiences as part of Manufacturing Entertainment (manufacturingentertainment.com) with Julie Gendron, and composes for theatre, dance, video, film and new media installations and performances. Their work can be explored at emmahendrix.com and at soundcloud.com/emmahendrix
Photo: Unknown
Simon Hughes
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Simon Hughes
Visual Artist
Simon Hughes is a visual artist based in Winnipeg. His practice includes drawing, painting, video, and public art, and explores issues related to landscape, abstraction, and architecture.
Simon has been exhibiting in galleries, museums, and film festivals both nationally and internationally since graduating from the University of Manitoba School of Art in 1996. At that time, he also began a fifteen-year career in the film industry, working primarily as a scenic painter and sign writer, as well as co-directing and producing award-winning music videos for Canadian artists. In 2010, he received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of California, Irvine.
A survey exhibition of his work over the last twenty years opened at the Peel Art Gallery in Brampton, Ontario in 2020. In 2021, his most recent public artwork was unveiled in Toronto’s Kipling transit station; entitled “The Day,” it is a series of glass tile mosaics spanning 2,400 square feet. Simon’s paintings and works on paper can be found in numerous private, corporate, and public collections, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
Carol-Ann Bohrn
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Carol-Ann Bohrn
Dancer
Carol-Ann Bohrn returns for a third season with WCD. WCD performance credits include: Body & Light, The Space in Between, Modulations, Last Schema, An Aspect of Alterity, and Anthem (all by Jolene Bailie) and Begin Again (by Jera Wolfe). Additional performance credits: Four seasons and 47 performances with Gearshifting Performance Works (Bailie, Marie-Josée Chartier, Rachel Browne), By Grand Central Station at Prairie Theatre Exchange (Thomas Morgan Jones), Sick + Twisted Theatre, Odette Heyn, Ming Hon, Saskatoon’s White Birch Ballet (Darlene Williams, Gioconda Barbuto, Josh Beamish) and for television commercials, music videos and film. Carol-Ann has participated and been mentored through the Cartae Open School at aceartinc and the Foundation Mentorship Program at MAWA. Carol-Ann Bohrn grew up in Brandon, Manitoba, is a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers and additionally trained at Ryerson University and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Teacher Training Program. Additional WCD projects: WCD: Class at Home; WCD’s Guest Artist in Residence with Ralph Escamillan, remixing choreography by Tedd Robinson; and participating in an artistic process with Mélanie Demers.
photo: Jenna Wilder
Kira Hofmann
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Kira Hofmann
Dancer
Kira Hofmann recently performed in WCD’s presentations of “Begin Again” by Jera Wolfe; online and in-person (Quebec and Winnipeg). Born in Kelowna, BC, Kira Hofmann began her professional training at the age of 13 at Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. After graduating from the Ballet Academic Program under the direction of Arlene Minkhorst, Kira continued her dance training in the Akadamie at the John Cranko School in Stuttgart, Germany. At the age of 18, she accepted an apprenticeship with the Stuttgart Ballet, where she performed numerous ballets including John Cranko’s Taming of the Shrew and Onegin. During her time with the company, Kira danced both classical and contemporary repertoire and toured to Singapore, Thailand, and Oman. Since moving back to Canada, she has worked as artistic assistant to choreographer, Jera Wolfe to set contemporary works on Canada’s National Ballet School, The School of Contemporary Dancers and Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Kira achieved her Teaching Certificate from The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, taught in the Professional Division at the RWB from 2017-2021, and currently teaches at Marquis Dance Academy.
photo: Amie Rousse
Julious Gambalan
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Julious Gambalan
Dancer
Julious Gambalan recently performed in Body & Light by Jolene Bailie; danced in WCD’s Guest Artist in Residence research project with Ralph Escamillan, remixing choreography by Tedd Robinson; in WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative shows Calibrations of Flux and Up Close and disDANCING; and previously for Verge: Remembering Rachel Browne. Born in Winnipeg, Julious is a 2020 graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers and has a BA Honours in Dance (2020), and a BSC (2016). Through SCD, Julious had the opportunity of touring to the Stream of Dance Festival in Regina, New Blue Festival in Toronto and internationally to Vienna, Austria. Julious also performs with NAfro Dance Productions.
photo: Mark Dela Cruz
Shawn Maclaine
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Shawn Maclaine
Dancer
Shawn Maclaine was born in Halifax and grew up in Toronto and this is his third season dancing with WCD. Performance credits for WCD include: Body & Light, Last Schema, Covid Sonata, Anthem (all by Bailie), and COMMENTARY ON/OFF (by Ming Hon). Previously Shawn danced under the direction of Bailie at Gearshifting Performance Works for 26 performances, originating roles in numerous works, performing on tour, and in works by Jolene Bailie and Marie-Josee Chartier. Shawn recently expanded his work in dance to include working as a Rehearsal Director and Assistant Stage Manager for WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative show, RECONNECT. Shawn is a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers where he performed in projects with Odette Heyn, Gaile Petursson-Hiley, GPS Dance Collective (in Leon, Mexico) and as an emerging dancer for WCD’s Verge. Shawn started training at the National Ballet School’s professional program, where he trained for 4 years. After additional training at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, Professional Division, his focus shifted to contemporary dance.
photo: Fiona Witherell
Warren McClelland
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Warren McClelland
Dancer
Warren McClelland is a graduate from the Professional Program of the School of Contemporary Dancers. Warren danced with Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers for the productions: GORGE (2015), For the Turnstiles (2016), As Though I Had Wings (2017) and as an emerging dancer in Verge (2014-2016). Warren returned to WCD in September 2019, working with Bailie for Last Schema, Modulations, The Space in Between, Anthem and Body & Light. Warren also danced under the direction of Bailie at Gearshifting Performance Works for 16 performances, in several works, in Winnipeg and on tour. Warren has worked with many choreographers both locally and internationally. Additional credits: Weather Parade Dance Theatre, Alex Elliot and Johanna Riley.
photo: Leif Norman
Shayla Rudd
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Shayla Rudd
Dancer
Shayla Rudd joins WCD in her first subscription series show after dancing in WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative for three seasons and in the works Lost, Myriad Beings, Feedback, Bell/Anti-Bell and Dancing through Uncertainty (all by Bailie for WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative). Shayla also dances in “WCD: Class at Home 2”, a free online class available for dancers to train at home during the Covid pandemic.
Shayla comes to Winnipeg from Oakbank, MB. When we asked her why she dances, she told us, “Because nothing else pushes me physically, mentally, and artistically like dance does!” Shayla graduated from The School of Contemporary Dancer in 2020, where she now teaches. Along with teaching at other dance studios, she is head gardener at St. Norbert Arts Centre and works in accounting.
photo: Jastin Manalo
Landon Lake
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Landon Lake
Video and Editing
Landon Lake was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, but spent the majority of his 20s in Tokyo, Japan, where he worked as an English teacher. He started playing drums for a Japanese punk band, and through making music videos for his band, discovered his love for filmmaking. He went on to direct music videos for many other Japanese bands, and eventually decided to move back to Winnipeg to further pursue his career. He has since been doing all kinds of things film-related, such as music videos, commercials, short films, and even performing as a stunt double. In 2018, his video for Don Amero’s “Church” won best video of the year at the Manitoba Country Music Awards. He hopes to one day direct his own feature film.
Landon has been working as WCD’s videographer since 2018, including for WCD’s online presentations of Up Close and disDANCING, Begin Again, Body & Light, online Artist Talks, online classes and archival purposes.
photo: Symon Ptashnick
Emerging Artist Initiative
An ensemble of emerging dancers come together for a return to live performances featuring new choreography and up-and-coming talent.
WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative is in partnership with The School of Contemporary Dancers.
Choreography:
Jolene Bailie
Additional Rehearsal Director:
Shawn Maclaine
Dancers:
Andrés Jiménez Mejía, Sophie Milord, Gabriela Garcia Ortiz, Shayla Rudd, Ariadna Schulz
Photo(above):
Leif Norman
Jolene Bailie
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Jolene Bailie
Jolene Bailie is a choreographer, director and producer of contemporary dance. Appointed Artistic Director of Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers in fall 2019, Bailie has produced shows annually in Winnipeg since 2000, created 12 full-length works, presented over 450 performances and toured her work to national and international critical acclaim. Her work has been presented in Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, Ottawa, Montreal, Athabasca, Beijing, Xi’an, Stuttgart, New York City, online and more.
Bailie holds a Masters of Fine Art in Dance through The American Dance Festival/Hollins University, has trained with Master Teachers all over North America and is a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers. Bailie holds a Teacher’s Certificate with Distinction from The Royal Academy of Dance and a Bachelor of Arts Honors degree with the Gold Medal Award for Academic Excellence from The University of Winnipeg.
Bailie performed in projects with WCD in 1999 and 2002. Her solo show, Rooms With a View, was presented as part of WCD’s subscription series in 2006. Previous to working for WCD, Bailie was Artistic Director of Gearshifting Performance Works, a company she founded and successfully operated for 19 years, creating over 30 original works.
Photo: Kristen Sawatsky
Shawn Maclaine
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Shawn Maclaine
WCD dancer, Shawn Maclaine is working with WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative as a Rehearsal Director.
Shawn Maclaine was born in Halifax and grew up in Toronto and this is his third season dancing with WCD. Performance credits for WCD include: “Body & Light”, “Last Schema”, “Covid Sonata”, “Anthem” (all by Bailie), and COMMENTARY ON/OFF (by Ming Hon). Previously Shawn danced under the direction of Bailie at Gearshifting Performance Works for 26 performances, originating roles in numerous works, performing on tour, and in works by Jolene Bailie and Marie-Josee Chartier.
Shawn is a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers where he performed in projects with Odette Heyn, GPS Dance Collective (in Leon, Mexico) and as an emerging dancer for WCD’s Verge. Shawn started training at the National Ballet School’s professional program, where he trained for 4 years. After additional training at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, Professional Division, his focus shifted to contemporary dance. We are thrilled to have Shawn working with us on this year’s Emerging Artist Initiative!
Photo: Fiona Witherell
Andrés Jiménez Mejía
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Andrés Jiménez Mejía
Andres Felipe Jimenez Mejia is back on stage for a second season to dance with WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative! Andres comes to Winnipeg from Bogota, Colombia, moving to Winnipeg to train at The School of Contemporary Dancers. Andres dances because he believes “…it is the best way to get into people’s souls.”
Andres will graduate from The School of Contemporary Dancer in 2022 and recently performed at Manitoba 150 in choreography by Stephan Azulay.
Photo: Carley Hungerford
Sophie Milord
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Sophie Milord
Sophie Milord returns for a second season to dance with WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative. Sophie comes to Winnipeg from Vancouver, BC. She moved here to train at The School of Contemporary Dancers. We asked her what she is looking forward to as she works towards her performances, “Having the opportunity to feel comfortable in the choreography, yet challenging myself to go further.”
Sophie graduated from The School of Contemporary Dancer in 2021 and currently teaches dances at several dance studios, honored to be passing on her love of dance to the next generation.
Photo: Jace Hodges
Gabriela Garcia Ortiz
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Gabriela Garcia Ortiz
This is Gabriela Garcia Ortiz’s first performance with WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative. Gabriela comes to Winnipeg from Guanjuato, Mexico and is in her final year of training at The School of Contemporary Dancers. Gabriela recently performed in the music video “Puro Dolor” with Mariachi Ghost – a musical group that summons the ghosts of old Mexico through traditional Mexican song – and is member of Mujer Artista, a Winnipeg-based group comprised of women artists from Latin America.
Photo: Philip Ariano
Shayla Rudd
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Shayla Rudd
We are delighted to have Shayla Rudd return to dance with WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative for the third season! Last season Shayla was also featured in “WCD: Class at Home 2”, a free online available for dancers to train at home during the Covid pandemic.
Shayla comes to Winnipeg from Oakbank, MB. When we asked her why she dances, she told us, “Because nothing else pushes me physically, mentally, and artistically like dance does!” We asked Shayla what she is looking forward to as she prepares for her performances: “I’m looking forward to being able to perform again, and to show that the arts can/will survive this pandemic safely.” Shayla graduated from The School of Contemporary Dancer in 2020, she teaches dances at several local dance studios, and is head gardener at St. Norbert Arts Centre.
Photo: Rodney Brawn
Ariadna Schulz
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Ariadna Schulz
We are delighted to welcome Ariadna Schulz to dance with WCD’s Emerging Arttist Initiative. Ariadna comes to Winnipeg from Caracas, Venezuela, where she previously danced with Teatro Teresa Carreno. Arriving in Winnipeg to train at The School of Contemporary Dancers, Ariadna recently performed in the screen dance project “Easy” and is currently working on a music video Brett Schultz. Ariadna is in her final year of training at The School of Contemporary Dancers and will graduate later this season.
Photo: Courtney Martin