20 JUNE 4 & 5, 2021 21 DIGITAL PERFORMANCE SEASON
Spotlight: 50th Anniversary
ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET SCHOOL 380 GRAHAM AVE. | WPG, MB, CANADA | R3C 4K2 T 204.956.2792 E [email protected] W RWB.ORG/SCHOOL @RWBSCHOOL
A Message From Stéphane Léonard
Greetings, As an artist I like to believe that living in the moment is key but as School Director this is much easier said than done! Fortunately, at the RWB School we are surrounded by young people who are innately so attuned to being present – physically, emotionally, and psychologically, giving their all in every moment. I wish our young people could be as carefree as I was at their age but The Times They Are A-Changin’ (for those of you young enough to be familiar with Bob Dylan). These said times are here and bring with them pressures and stresses we have never before experienced. Thankfully, our students are strong and smart, but make no mistake, they have had to carry a huge weight on their shoulders. It has been refreshing and inspiring to me to watch them flourish and bloom even during this time of drought. It is our responsibility – and our privilege – to cultivate and encourage their unique personalities, nurture their talents and celebrate their courage in the face of this brave new world. Despite the inability to perform for you live, our students and faculty have created a beautiful show that I hope will touch your hearts and cheer your souls! Through their artistry, our students are speaking to you, and to us all. Let us be present and ensure that the language that is dance is not muted by the noise of the world around us. Together, let us take the time to listen carefully to these voices of the future; they are here, and they are asking to be heard. Some say that teaching is a vocation, and I tend to agree now more than ever before. Though this past season was not without its stumbling blocks, the School faculty never wavered in their dedication to our students. Words cannot express my gratitude for their tireless commitment and strength, their incredible teamwork and their passion. I also remain forever grateful to everyone involved in this production, as well as our families, friends and supporters. On behalf of everyone at the RWB School, I congratulate our students for an extraordinary 50th anniversary year. Tonight, we celebrate not only half a century of the RWB School Professional Division, but the resilience and grace of these amazing young artists. Bravo!
Respectfully,
Stéphane Léonard School Director
3 ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DIVISION A Reflection on 50 Years of the Professional Division
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division, we do so at the close of an unusual year. One could argue that the arts are more important today than half a century ago. In a time of so much uncertainty, art has the power not only to uplift us, but to speak for us, to voice for us what we long to say, but for which we do not have the words, to show us beauty in a world that can often be ugly, and to touch us in a way that perhaps nothing else can. This past year, it has kept us connected to each other despite masks and social distancing and reminded us that art is more than simply entertainment. The arts are integral to how we define ourselves as human beings. The need to create art, to perform it, and to teach it is a gift enjoyed by no other species on the planet. In the 1989 movie The Dead Poets Society, Robin Williams’ character, a prep school English teacher, tells his students: “We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.” It is no great leap (no pun intended) to include dance – and indeed, all the arts – in this equation. In the best of times, it can be easy to take our surroundings for granted, to lose sight of the fact that working at the RWB School, alongside dancers, teachers, students and musicians, we have only to walk down the hall and peek inside an open studio to experience the creation, performance and teaching of art any day of the week. For many of us, it is difficult to imagine a world without the arts, because we have the unique privilege of living it every day. The challenges of the past year, however, have given us a glimpse of what that world might be like. The Professional Division began as a dream for Founding Director David Moroni, C.M., O.M., D. Litt (h.c), and became a reality in 1970. From humble beginnings, the School has grown into an internationally renowned and respected training centre, built on the solid foundation laid by Mr. Moroni and his core team, including Former School Director Arlene Minkhorst, Former School Principal Jacqueline Weber, and Teacher Training Program Director, Johanne Gingras. Tonight, we celebrate their contributions, along with the young artists you see on stage tonight, the artistic faculty who teach them, and the staff, donors, families and friends who support them, and who support the arts. It is your passion and your love for dance that sustains us, and when the lights come up in the theatre, as they surely will, we look forward to seeing you in the audience.
Lindsay McKnight, Program Support Manager, Professional Division
4 ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DIVISION Synopsis
ARTISTIC COORDINATOR MUSIC Gael Lambiotte Ludwig Minkus and Ricardo Drigo
CHOREOGRAPHY STAGED BY RWB School Artistic Faculty after Sabine Chaland, Kira Hofmann, Marius Petipa, Alexander Gorsky, Gael Lambiotte,Vanessa Léonard, Fyodor Lopukhov and Nina Anisimova Alexander Gamayunov, Marijka Stanowych, and Radostina Panova
Prologue Don Quixote and his faithful sidekick, Sancho Panza, set off together on their quest.
Act I
A MARKETPLACE IN BARCELONA It is a Fiesta Day and the townsfolk are making merry in the city’s market square. Young lovers Kitri and Basilio flirt and show off for each other as their friends join in the fun. Suddenly, the merriment is interrupted by the entrance of Gamache, a rich nobleman whom Kitri’s father intends her to marry, to Kitri’s great displeasure. She and Basilio steal away together, just as master toreador, the dashing Espada, arrives with his girlfriend, Mercedes, a beautiful street performer, and a group of matadors. They attract the attention of everyone in the square and Mercedes delights the crowd with her solo for Espada.
Act II
SCENE 1 - THE TAVERN Kitri and Basilio join the townsfolk at a nearby tavern, where the merrymaking continues, but they are quickly upstaged by Mercedes and Espada. Taking a break from their journey, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza stop for some refreshment and before long, Sancho Panza is drawn into a lively dance with some of the ladies.
SCENE 2 - A CAMP IN THE FOREST After leaving the tavern, a little worse for wear, Don Quixote stumbles into the camp of some traveling musicians, actors and dancers. While they celebrate with wild dancing, Don Quixote finds himself a spot to relax and quickly falls asleep.
5 ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DIVISION SCENE 3 - THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE Don Quixote finds himself caught in the middle of the children’s performance. Confused and disoriented, he is knocked down by the children and falls to the ground, unconscious.
SCENE 4 - THE DREAM Don Quixote dreams of his true love, Dulcinea, who dances for him. She is attended by the dryads of the forest and cupids, presided over by the Queen of the Dryads and Amour.
Act III
THE WEDDING Don Quixote and Sancho Panza attend the wedding of Kitri and Basilio. Elaborate celebrations follow, culminating with the couple’s spectacular grand pas de deux.
Land Acknowledgement
We are grateful to practice our art on Treaty One land, the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. We acknowledge that our water is sourced from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation. We stand with the Indigenous community and commit to build an ongoing process of reconciliation and collaboration.
20 21
On the Edge / June 11
RWB Aspirants, Photo by Kristen Sawatzky (2021) RWB.ORG
6 ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DIVISION Performance Casting
Casting June 4, 2021
ACT I Featuring the students of the Aspirant Program.
KITRI KITRI’S FRIENDS Kyra Soo Genevieve Galea, Julianna Generoux
BASILIO SOLOISTS Logan Savard Julianne Chartier, Rachel Gibbs, Hannah Wiedle MERCEDES Maggie Weatherdon TOREADORS Timothy Gaulke, Jakobe Geddes, ESPADA William Hrivnak, Felix Jinga, Takaaki Maki Corson Kolynko, Myles Mackesy, GAMACHE Nathaniel Ritter-Magot Irene Blanc-Zoco
ACT II Featuring the students of the Ballet Academic Program
SCENE 1 – THE TAVERN
KITRI BARMAIDS Taisi Tollasepp Emma Curtis, Priscilla Gubiotti, Olivia Kowalchuk BASILIO Cleighden Butler-Racine GIRLFRIENDS Emma Curtis, Alexandra Domracheva, MERCEDES Destiny Malloy, Tess Pepetone, Julia Hockey Hannah Trickett, Elisha Woo ESPADA TOREADORS Myles Mackesy Timothy Gaulke, Jakobe Geddes, DON QUIXOTE Felix Jinga, William Hrivnak, Stéphane Léonard Corson Kolynko, Nathaniel Ritter-Magot
SANCHO PANZA SAILORS’ DANCE Timothy Gaulke Rafe Perry, Logan Shaw, Joshua Sinclair, Aidan Vaudreuil-Wakeham
7 ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DIVISION SCENE 2 – A CAMP IN THE FOREST
MALE LEAD CORPS DE BALLET William Hrivnak Alexandra Domracheva, Destiny Malloy, Tess Pepetone, Dakotah Tolchard, FEMALE LEAD Hannah Trickett, Sarah Zaugg, Emma Curtis Timothy Gaulke, Jakobe Geddes, Connor Grant-Canseco, Felix Jinga, Corson Kolynko, Nathaniel Ritter-Magot
SCENE 3 – THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE
PRINCESSES KNIGHT Avery Carter, Nya Chapman, Iain Twigg Harin Kim, Ania Mackenzie
SCENE 4 – THE DREAM
AMOUR QUEEN OF THE DRYADS Caroline Derhak, Ava Devlin, Rhys Howes, Elisha Woo Hannah Hunter, Gwendolyn Pritchett, DULCINEA Scarlett Reynolds, Kamryn Ross, Olivia Kowalchuk Sarah Sanchez, Maren Turner, Yinuo Wang, Isabella Watkins PAQUITA SOLO EXCERPT Tess Pepetone CUPIDS Olivia Koppanyi, Yu Takahashi CORPS DE BALLET Morgan Dunham, Anne Forman, SOLOIST Paige Irwin, Evelyn Little, Camilla Hood Tiernen O’Keefe, Katrina Ouellette, Sophie Robinson, Isabelle Weatherby- White, Mia Zaborski ACT III
PAQUITA SOLO EXCERPT TARANTELLA Emma Curtis Morgan Dunham, Paige Irwin, Evelyn Little, Sophie Robinson, CORPS DE BALLET Saneatsu Abe, Rafe Perry, Priscilla Gubiotti, Olivia Kowalchuk, Joshua Sinclair, Aidan Vaudreuil-Wakeham Destiny Malloy, Tess Pepetone, Akira Thornton, Dakotah Tolchard, FANDANGO Elisha Woo, Sarah Zaugg Camilla Hood, Olivia Koppanyi, Tiernen O’Keefe, Niki Powell, TOREADORS Yu Takahashi, Saneatsu Abe, Logan Shaw, Jakobe Geddes, William Hrivnak, Joshua Sinclair, Aidan Vaudreuil-Wakeham Felix Jinga, Corson Kolynko, Nathaniel Ritter-Magot Performance Casting
Casting June 5, 2021
ACT I Featuring the students of the Aspirant Program.
KITRI KITRI’S FRIENDS Ana Mekvabishvili Hannah Wiedle, Rachel Gibbs
BASILIO SOLOISTS Takaaki Maki Julianne Chartier, Emma Duncan, Genevieve Galea, Julianna Generoux MERCEDES Irene Blanc-Zoco TOREADORS Oliver Bastin, Connor Grant-Canseco, ESPADA Timothy Gaulke, Jakobe Geddes, Logan Savard William Hrivnak, Felix Jinga, GAMACHE Myles Mackesy Maggie Weatherdon
ACT II Featuring the students of the Ballet Academic Program
SCENE 1 – THE TAVERN
KITRI BARMAIDS Taisi Tollasepp Emma Curtis, Julia Hockey, Olivia Kowalchuk BASILIO Cleighden Butler-Racine GIRLFRIENDS Emma Curtis, Alexandra Domracheva, MERCEDES Destiny Malloy, Tess Pepetone, Sarah Zaugg Hannah Trickett, Elisha Woo ESPADA Felix Jinga TOREADORS Oliver Bastin, Connor Grant-Canseco, DON QUIXOTE William Hrivnak, Timothy Gaulke, Stéphane Léonard Jakobe Geddes, Myles Mackesy
SANCHO PANZA SAILORS’ DANCE Timothy Gaulke Saneatsu Abe, Logan Shaw, Joshua Sinclair, Aidan Vaudreuil-Wakeham SCENE 2 – A CAMP IN THE FOREST
MALE LEAD CORPS DE BALLET Corson Kolynko Emma Curtis, Priscilla Gubiotti, Julia Hockey, Olivia Kowalchuk, FEMALE LEAD Tess Pepetone, Elisha Woo, Oliver Bastin, Dakotah Tolchard Connor Grant-Canseco, Timothy Gaulke, William Hrivnak, Myles Mackesy, Nathaniel Ritter-Magot
SCENE 3 – THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE
PRINCESSES KNIGHT Avery Carter, Nya Chapman, Iain Twigg Harin Kim, Ania Mackenzie
SCENE 4 – THE DREAM
AMOUR DULCINEA Caroline Derhak, Ava Devlin, Rhys Howes, Emma Curtis Hannah Hunter, Gwendolyn Pritchett, PAQUITA SOLO EXCERPT Scarlett Reynolds, Kamryn Ross, Olivia Kowalchuk Maren Turner, Yinuo Wang, Isabella Watkins CORPS DE BALLET Morgan Dunham, Anne Forman, CUPIDS Camilla Hood, Paige Irwin, Olivia Koppanyi, Yu Takahashi Evelyn Little, Tiernen O’Keefe, SOLOIST Niki Powell, Sophie Robinson, Katrina Ouellette Isabelle Weatherby-White, Mia Zaborski
QUEEN OF THE DRYADS Elisha Woo
ACT III
PAQUITA SOLO EXCERPT TARANTELLA Tess Pepetone Saneatsu Abe, Anne Forman, Paige Irwin, Sophie Robinson, CORPS DE BALLET Logan Shaw, Joshua Sinclair, Emma Curtis, Alexandra Domracheva, Aidan Vaudreuil-Wakeham, Mia Zaborski Julia Hockey, Olivia Kowalchuk, Akira Thornton, Dakotah Tolchard, FANDANGO Hannah Trickett, Sarah Zaugg Saneatsu Abe, Olivia Koppanyi, Katrina Ouellette, Niki Powell, TOREADORS Lileia Silvaggio, Joshua Sinclair, Jakobe Geddes, William Hrivnak, Aidan Vaudreuil Wakeham, Corson Kolynko, Nathaniel Ritter-Magot, Isabelle Weatherby-White Myles Mackesy Creative Team Bios
Stéphane Léonard | School Director Stéphane Léonard first tread the halls of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet as a Company Soloist in 1998. His dynamic performances earned him coveted roles such as, Tybalt (Rudi Van Dantzig’s Romeo + Juliet), and Hilarion and the Peasant Pas de Quatre (Sir Peter Wright’s Giselle). During a successful career he performed solo roles in various neo-classical and contemporary repertoire by choreographers such as Georges Balanchine, John Cranko, and James Kudelka. He also had the great honour of being selected to work with Sir Anthony Dowell on The Dream by Sir Frederick Ashton and with the great Jerome Robbins on The Concert. Mr Léonard began his early training in Montréal under the tutelage and mentorship of Ms Natasha Izbinsky, and continued his studies at the prestigious Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. Following his graduation in 1992, Mr Léonard made his professional debut with the National Ballet of Canada under the direction of Reid Anderson. In 1995, Mr Léonard joined the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory Ballet and Opera under the direction of Nikita Dolgushin and performed principal roles such as Prince Desire (The Sleeping Beauty), The Poet (Les Sylphides) and The Nutcracker Prince (Nutcracker). In 1998, Mr Léonard returned to Canada to join the RWB Company. Upon his retirement in 2002 he assumed the position of RWB School Aspirant Program Director where he continues to share his creativity and imagination with aspiring young artists. In 2019, Mr. Léonard was appointed School Director.
Gael Lambiotte | Artistic Coordinator Gael Lambiotte once tread the boards of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet stages as its Principal Dancer, performing lead roles in Swan Lake, Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, La Sylphide, La Bayadère, Val Caniparoli’s A Cinderella Story, Romeo + Juliet and many others. Now, after a long and fulfilling career, he has joined the RWB Professional Division Faculty to pass on his knowledge and passion of dance to students. Born in 1974 in Brussels, Belgium, Mr Lambiotte did his ballet training with Piotr Nardelli and the Royal Ballet of Flanders School. During his performance career he was a Principal Dancer with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Opéra National de Bordeaux, the Deutsche Oper in Dusseldorf, the Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam, the Boston Ballet and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. Before returning to the RWB, Mr Lambiotte worked in France as a dance teacher and as a Gyrotonic Instructor, a technique specially designed for dancers to prevent injuries and become stronger physically and mentally. Vanessa Léonard | Ballet Master & Artistic Faculty Called “… a shining artist, one to celebrate and treasure as she deepens her interpretations and polishes her beautiful technique from one role to the next,” Vanessa Léonard (nee Lawson) has been gracing the studios and stages of the Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet since 1994 — as student, Principal Dancer and, most recently, as teacher and Company Ballet Master. Ms Léonard received her early training from the Edmonton School of Ballet and the RWB School Professional Division before being hired into the RWB Company in 1997, where she steadily climbed the ranks until her promotion to Principal for the 2005-2006 season. During her time with the RWB Company, Ms Léonard danced all the major female roles in well-known works, including: Giselle, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Mark Godden’s Dracula, and The Magic Flute, Mauricio Wainrot’s Carmina Burana, Romeo & Juliet, and Val Caniparoli’s A Cinderella Story. Throughout a shining career, Ms Léonard has always believed in the importance of mentorship, soaking in wisdom, technique and advice from everyone that has crossed her path. Now as a teacher and Ballet Master, she strives to impart that knowledge to each artist and student she works with.
Sabine Chaland | Artistic Faculty All the world truly has been a stage, and a studio, for Sabine Chaland. For more than 15 years she has taught everywhere from Europe to Argentina to Japan to North America. Ms Chaland has now returned to Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet as a teacher to share the vast amounts of knowledge she has gained working with incredible choreographers and teachers throughout her career. Before returning to the RWB for the 2018-19 season, Ms Chaland was the Director of a ballet school in the South of France (2013-2018), where she had the joy of setting her versions of Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker and Études as well as numerous contemporary pieces. French born Ms Chaland, trained in the South of France before going on to finish her ballet studies at the Vaganova School in St. Petersburg with the legendary Mesdames Natalia Doudinskaya and Ninella Kourgapkina. She was a Soloist with the Dutch National Ballet (1990-2001 and 2003-2005) and Boston Ballet (2001- 2003) where she performed numerous lead roles. At this point in her career, Ms Chaland views personal development as an essential ingredient for success and she uses Dr Richard Brown and Patricia Gerbarg’s “Breath Body Mind method” to help her in her quest to help dancers connect body and mind for faster recovery and to optimize their true potential.
12 ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DIVISION Alexander Gamayunov | Artistic Faculty Alexander Gamayunov, former Soloist with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, has been sharing his in depth knowledge of ballet, character, pas de deux and repertoire with students of the RWB School since joining the artistic faculty in 2013. Throughout his successful career, Mr Gamayunov displayed his technique and artistry in numerous principal roles; including: Romeo and Tybalt in Romeo & Juliet, Dracula in Mark Godden’s Dracula, the Prince in Nutcracker, Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, Bluebird in The Sleeping Beauty, Captain Hook in Jorden Morris’ Peter Pan, and Jamie Paul in The Ecstasy of Rita Joe. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Mr Gamayunov began training with The National Ballet School of Kiev at the age of 10, and upon graduation was accepted into The National Ballet of Ukraine where he was quickly promoted to Principal. He then danced with the Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet before moving to Canada in 2001 to join the RWB Company where he first took the stage as Soloist in 2005.
Marijka Stanowych | Artistic Faculty Marijka Stanowych has spent the past 18 years tirelessly guiding students in the RWB Recreational Division, Professional Division including the Teacher Training Program in the disciplines of ballet, pointe and character. A proud graduate of the RWB School’s Teacher Training Program, Ms Stanowych also studied in Kiev, Ukraine at the Choreographic School of the Ukrainian State Ensemble named after Pavlo Virsky and she is now proud to hold her Licentiate teaching designation within the Cecchetti Society of Canada. Ms Stanowych has held the roles of Artistic Director of Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and guest choreographer for local Ukrainian dance groups such as Verba Ukrainian Dance Company and Zirka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Dauphin, Manitoba. Ms Stanowych has adjudicated dance festivals in Alberta and Manitoba and has also been a guest faculty member at local and international Cecchetti workshops. She has been passing on her love of the art form now for over 25 years in her role as a dancer, teacher and choreographer of Ukrainian dance and ballet.
13 ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DIVISION Kira Hofmann | Artistic Faculty Kira Hofmann’s journey with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg School Professional Division began long before she joined the artistic faculty as a ballet teacher in 2017. Her dance training began in 2008 when she entered the RWB School and during her five years as a student she was awarded several scholarships including the prestigious Prince Edward Award for an exceptional level of talent, commitment and achievement. Ms Hofmann graduated from the RWB School Professional Division with distinction, and was accepted into the Akadamie at John Cranko Schule in Stuttgart, Germany. After six months of training, she was offered a contract with the world- renowned, Stuttgart Ballet. With the company she performed numerous ballets including: Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Taming of the Shrew, and Onegin. Ms Hofmann has travelled extensively through touring and working as the artistic assistant to choreographer, Jera Wolfe. She has recently helped to set ballets on Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, School of Contemporary Dancers, and Canada’s National Ballet School. Ms Hofmann returned to Canada to pursue teaching and graduated from the Teacher Training Program and continues to pass on her skill and professional experience to students of the RWB School Professional Division.
Radostina Panova | Artistic Faculty Radostina Panova brings over 25 years of ballet experience to Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. Ms Panova began her training at the State Choreographic School in Sofia, Bulgaria and then went on to dance with Varna Opera House and with the National Opera and Ballet in Sofia. Throughout her 12 year career as a classical ballet dancer, Ms Panova performed both classical and contemporary ballets, opera and operetta productions around the world including tours in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Greece. Ms Panova holds a Master’s degree from The National Music Academy in Sofia as a Ballet Teacher and Ballet Master. Today, she dedicates her time and talent to teaching the stars of tomorrow and teaches all levels of ballet, pointe, historical dance, variations and repertoire. Ms Panova has taught with the National School of Arts in Varna, Bulgaria, the Russian Ballet School in Sofia and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School in Canada. She also enjoys guest teaching opportunities abroad in Bulgaria, Italy, Turkey and throughout Canada
14 ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DIVISION Suzanne André | Principal Suzanne André has been sharing her talents with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School since joining the Artistic Faculty in 1998 and has been Professional Division Principal since 2015. Passionate about the well-being of the RWB students, Ms André has supported the development of dancers and teachers in the Professional and Recreational Divisions and the Teacher Training Program, teaching the disciplines of ballet, pointe, conditioning, creative movement and dance history. As well as her teaching duties, Ms. Andre oversees student safety, well-being, and development. She gives direction to the Head Residence Advisor and the Student Care Counsellors and is the primary liaison with the RWB Medical Support Team and academic partners. Ms André studied ballet under former RWB Company Principal dancer Lynette Fry Abra in Calgary, at the National Ballet School in Toronto and for five years with the RWB School Professional Division. Ms André graduated with distinction from the RWB School’s Teacher Training Program in 1999 and also holds her Associate Diploma with the Cecchetti Society of Canada.
Johanne Gingras | TTP Director Johanne Gingras has been an integral part of the fabric of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School since 1984 when she joined the Artistic Faculty as a ballet teacher. She was instrumental in developing the RWB School Teachers Training Program curriculum and was named Director of the program in 1997 where her goal continues to be instilling a passion for technique and artistry in the next generation of dance teachers. Along with her role as Director, she also teaches ballet, pointe, character and repertoire to students of the RWB School Professional Division, and she conducts auditions and teaches master classes during the annual RWB School International Audition Tour. Originally from Chicoutimi, Québec, Ms Gingras began her dance training at the Académie de Danse du Saguenay where she performed in a multi dance disciplines troupe, dance and sang in several operettas before following her passion for teaching. She is a graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School Teacher Training Program and she now holds Licentiate teaching qualifications with the Cecchetti Canada and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.
15 ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DIVISION Claire Marshall | Artistic Faculty A talented performer in her own right, Claire Marshall has been sharing her extensive knowledge with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School in both the Professional and Recreational Divisions since 2000, teaching creative movement, modern dance, movement improvisation, and movement composition. Ms Marshall also teaches at the School of Contemporary Dancers and is the President of the Board of Directors for Dance Manitoba. Ms Marshall began her performing career in her hometown of Toronto with the Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre (now Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre). Throughout her nine seasons with the company she performed works by some of Canada’s leading choreographers including David Earle, Danny Grossman, Carol Anderson, Bill Coleman, and Rachel Browne, and participated in numerous national and international tours. It was Ms Browne who encouraged Ms Marshall to continue her training and teaching, which led her to the wonderful dance community in Winnipeg. Ms Marshall graduated from the Senior Professional Program at the School of Contemporary Dancers in 2001, and has since performed continuously locally, nationally and internationally.
16 ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DIVISION PRODUCTION People Director of Production...... Justin Dowbiggin Technical Director...... Jef Ward Stage Manager...... Candace Jacobson of the RWB Head Carpenter...... Jacqueline Easton Head of Properties...... Ryan Spracklin COMPANY ARTISTIC Master Electrician...... Marc Gagnon Artistic Director & CEO...... André Lewis Assistant Carpenter...... Paul McWhinney Associate Artistic Director...... Tara Birtwhistle Assistant Electrician...... Jarret Borodenko Senior Ballet Master...... Johnny W. Chang Head of Audio Video Services...... Bob Stewart Ballet Masters...... Caroline Gruber, Vanessa Léonard, Jaime Vargas Head of Wardrobe...... Alena Zharska Assistant to the Artistic Staff...... Judy Arnason Wardrobe Administrative Coordinator...... Heather Thorleifson School Costume Coordinator...... Laura Elliott SCHOOL ARTISTIC Shoe Assistant/Seamstress...... Diana Miller School Director...... Stéphane Léonard Head Seamstress...... Angela Gaft Professional Division Principal...... Suzanne André Seamstress/Seamsters ...... Noel De Leon Teacher Training Program Director...... Johanné Gingras Kristina Maitland, Irina Voronchikhina Recreational Division Principal...... Nicole Kepp Junior Cutter/Seamstress...... Emily Woodman Recreational Division Vice Principal...... Katrin Benedictson Wardrobe Mistress...... Brenda Belmonte Principal Pianist...... Donna Laube Wardrobe Assistant...... Barry Malenko
ADMINISTRATION SCHOOL ARTISTIC FACULTY Director of Finance & Administration...... Edward Esguerra Matthew Armet, Eugene Baffoe, Toshiyuki Ban, Yayoi Ban, Database Administrator ...... Parth Brahmbhatt Rodrigo Belifuss, Katie Bonnell, Aimee Brasko, Darilyn Burdeniuk, Accounting Manager...... Debbie Wallin Liam Caines, Maritel Centurion, Sabine Chaland, Keri-lee Conly, Payroll Coordinator...... Deneen Swartz Rachel Cooper, Jacqui Davidson, Martha De Ita Gonzalez, Accounts Payable...... Alison Chaboyer Jaimi Deleau, Erika Delponte, Nicole Dufault, Anthony Ferens, People Services Manager...... Simon Gillingham Alexander Gamayunov, Karin Giesbrecht, Julie Gregorchuk, People Services Administrator...... Meghan Thiessen Elizabeth Hendricks, Kira Hofmann, Chelsea Humble, Interim Support Coordinator...... Michele Kern Kelly Jedlic, Laura Kolisnyk, Lianne Kondziela, Gael Lambiotte, Philippe Larouche, Karyn Maertens, Alenna Mark, Claire Marshall, COMPANY ADMINISTRATION Alanna McAdie, Greg McGlenning, Magdalena McGregor, Company Managing Director...... David Warburton Yosuke Nishi, Nicole Owens, Radostina Panova-Torodova, Danielle Platford, Emilia Radawetz, Gabriela Rehak, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION Sharlyne Santos, Cheyenne Schroeder, Marilee Schroeder, School Managing Director...... Kate Fennell Cheryl Scott, Marijka Stanowych, Debra Thiessen, Tracy Tomchuk, Program Support Manager...... Lindsay McKnight Rachelle Vermette, Jacqueline Weber, Kendra Woo School Office Manager...... Karin Krueger Recreational Division Registrar...... Jessica Jamieson ACCOMPANISTS Professional Division Registrar...... Taylor Wickens Arlene Baschak, Howard Chan, Timothy Church, Katie Erickson, School Administrative Attendant...... Sydney Mangilit Trish Franklin, Irena Gendelman, Alina Havrylyuk, Ari Hooker, School Office Assistants...... Rikke Mcfeetors Haewook Kim, Jolanta Janiszewska, Ian Mikita, Michelle Mourre, School Production and Event Coordinator...... Carolin Schroeder Dale Rogalsky, Nina Rudakova, David Schneider, Jay Stoller, School Administrator...... Sarah Davey Miroslaw Szarek, David Troya Ospina, Viktoriya Yamchuk
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS STUDENT BOARDING Director of Marketing & Communications ...... Jocelyn Unrau Boarding Manager...... Tali Sitschkar Multimedia Communications Coordinator...... Ryan Rogocki Student Care Counsellors...... Brianne Baigrie, Carol Hoydalo Graphic Designer...... Nicole Regnier Boarding Advisors...... Alexandre Borger Digital Content Coordinator...... Brady Corps Rory Ellis, Mary Elliott, Ashley Hall, Jace Hodges, Emielia Jersak Archivist...... Gayle DeGagne Yoshi Matsuo, Arielle McCaffrey, Amber Neufeld, Bob Pleschke Megan Priebe, Liam Reid, Cass Taylor DEVELOPMENT Activity Worker...... Cleighden Butler Director of Development...... Kristine Betker Genevieve Galea, Emilie Lewis Corporate Partnerships Manager...... Patricia Guenther-Smith Cook...... Wayne Aastrom, Kristine Schneider Donor Relations Officer...... Madison Harding Kitchen Assistants ...... Fatemeh Asadi, Joe But Stewardship Officer...... Briar Boyko Julia Hockey, William Hrivnak, Myles Mackesay, Madison Priebe Development Coordinator...... Pattie Kirkikis Logan Savard Brooke Thomas, Irene Blanc Zoco, Eric Zarecki Cleaners...... Amela Nukic, Julie Prystupa, Susan Prystupa CUSTOMER SERVICE Box Office & Customer Service Manager...... Cort Schroder MEDICAL SUPPORT TEAM Customer Service Representatives...... Nicole Dupas Medical services provided by ...... Pan Am Clinic Kirsten Kruse, Margaret Kahler Physiotherapy service provided by...... Lifemark Health Front Desk Attendants………………………...Meagan O’Donnell-Baschak Medical Department...... Dr. Brian Lukie, B.Sc., MD, Martina Jaterka Dr. Deborah Hill, MDCM FRCPC Dip Sport Med Front Desk Support…………………….…Julianne Chartier, Emma Duncan Physiotherapists...... Lexie Flynn, Katie Zwingerman, B.M.R. (P.T.) FACILITIES Massage Therapist...... Leanne Lawrie, R.M.T. Facilities Manager...... Marc Dela Torre Sports & Wellness Nutrition Consultant...... Marieke Breakey, B.Sc. Maintenance Assistant...... John Kaminski (HNS), R.D. Housekeeping...... Albert Caaya, Roy Canlas Performance Enhancement Consultant...... Laura Ceccarelli, BA Cyril Carolino, Jade Manov, JP Octavo, Ametehanes Ukubamarian (Hons.), MA © Helmar Vistal
17 ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DIVISION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Don Leitch, Chair...... Community Volunteer Kirsten Albo, FCPA, FCA...... Principal, ASK KSA Consulting Inc. 21 Jessica Albrechtsen...... Associate Advisor, RBC Dominion Securities Inc. 22 Beverly Davies...... Vice President Risk Management IGM Financial Jim Eldridge...... Community Volunteer Tara Letwiniuk, LLM...... Executive Director, Kenora & Lake of the Woods Foundation Dwight MacAulay, CVO...... Community Volunteer John Osler...... President & CEO, Intergroup Consultants Rebecca Parkinson...... Senior Advisor, President of the Queen’s Privy Council & Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Tara Snider...... Executive Director, Sara Riel Lorraine Yau, PhD...... Community Volunteer
HONORARY COUNCIL MEMBERS Sheldon Bowles, Dee Buchwald, Irena Cohen, James Cohen, Jim Eldridge, Jane Emslie, Ashleigh Everett, John F. Fraser, Susan Glass, CM, Richard Kroft, Don Leitch, Dance The Hon Otto Lang, OC, Peter J. Macdonald, Marilyn Marshall, Ruth Matas, Jennifer Moncrieff, Stuart Murray, Art Pearson, with me at Kevin Regan, Arni Thorsteinson, Terrence Wright, QC
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chair...... Tara Snider the Royal Vice Chair...... Rebecca Parkinson Members...... Jessica Dillon, Cynthia Gyles Peter Macdonald, Sean McKenna, Leonard Offrowich, Rob Praznik Winnipeg Ballet. PAST PRESIDENTS & CHAIRS OF THE BOARD OF THE ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET 1939 - 1943...... Gweneth Lloyd 1943 - 1944...... Mrs. C.S. Riley 1944 - 1945...... Mrs. W.H. Collum 1945 - 1947...... Mrs. Harold D. Barbour 1947 - 1949...... Dr. H.S. Gillson 1949 - 1951...... Mrs. Douglas Edmond 1951 - 1953...... John A. Russell 1953 - 1956...... Robert Kipp 1956 - 1957...... F.N. McKenzie 1957 - 1961...... Miss Kathleen Richardson 1961 - 1962...... J.G. Scott 1962 - 1965...... Dennis H. Carter 1965 - 1967...... Sol Kanee 1967 - 1970...... Mr. Justice R.J. Matas 1970 - 1973...... Peter J. Macdonald 1973 - 1975...... John W. Graham 1975 - 1977...... Richard Kroft 1977 - 1980...... John Condra 1980 - 1982...... Dr. Leon Rubin 1982 - 1984...... Mrs. Lynne Axworthy 1984 - 1986...... Mrs. Louise Soubry 1986 - 1988...... Joseph J. Wilder, Q.C. 1988 - 1989...... Arthur Pearson 1989 - 1991...... Rod Zimmer 1991 - 1992...... Diane Wolch 1992 - 1993...... John F. Fraser, OC 1993 - 1995...... W. Terrance Wright 1995 - 1998...... Susan J. Glass 1998 - 2000...... Sandra Foster 2000 - 2001...... Justice Deborah McCawley 2001 - 2005...... Jean Giguère 2005 - 2007...... James Cohen 2007 - 2008...... Jean Giguère 2008 - 2010...... Charlene Rocke 2010 - 2011...... Dr. Glenn Feltham 2011 - 2012...... Martin Thibodeau 2012 - 2017...... David Reid
RWB.ORG/REGISTER
RWB school RECREATIONAL division students, Photo by Kristen Sawatzky (2019) 20 21
By making a donation to the RWB School today, your support will immediately allow the RWB to confidently program summer sessions for students in the Professional and Recreational Divisions.
In addition to being a vital learning and audition opportunity for our students, the School continues to play a critical role in sustaining the RWB during these challenging times. Your gift and encouragement is so greatly appreciated by the RWB School and its students. For more information, please contact Madison Harding, Donor Relations Officer at [email protected].
RWB school professional division students, Photo by Kristen Sawatzky (2019) rwb.org/donate