House Programme - The International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize

The International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize national.ballet.ca

The International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize Presented by John and Claudine Bailey

Contents 6 Past Winners 10 Repertoire 14 Dancers 16 Choreographers

The National Ballet of Canada Programme Editors: Julia Drake and Belinda Bale Design: Carmen Wagner Advertising Sales: Oasis Media Printing: Sunview Press Cover: Erik Bruhn (1970). Photo by Michael Avedon.

Erik Bruhn with Artists of the Ballet (1979). Photo by Henry Grossman.

The Erik Bruhn Prize One of the most acclaimed and revered male dancers of the 20th-century, Erik Bruhn personified the danseur noble tradition in all its classical, regal glory.

His affiliation with The National Ballet of Canada was a lengthy and fruitful one, culminating in his artistic directorship of the company from 1983 until his untimely death in 1986. Mr. Bruhn was always keenly interested in the development of younger dancers and, as part of his legacy, he established The Erik Bruhn Prize, which was to be awarded to one male and one female dancer who “reflect such technical ability, artistic achievement and dedication as I endeavoured to bring to dance.”

Since it began in 1988, the competition has showcased the talents of many of the finest young dancers from such companies as The Royal Danish Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Royal Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, The Hamburg Ballet, Boston Ballet and The National Ballet of Canada. Competitors for the prize must be between 18 and 23 years old, and are selected by the Artistic Directors of their respective companies.

Each pair performs a classical pas de deux and variation and a contemporary pas de deux or solo work.

In 2009, a Choreographic Prize was added to the competition. The contemporary performances by each pair feature a specially commissioned piece by a choreographer affiliated with their company.

Top: Rudolf Nureyev, Karen Kain and Erik Bruhn (1975). Photo

by BIPNA Photo. Bottom: Mikhail Baryshnikov and Erik Bruhn rehearsing La Sylphide (1964). Photo by Lex Panhuyzen.

The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges the support of the following:

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage via the Endowment Incentives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund.

Bringing the arts to life De l'art plein la vie

The Government of Ontario through the Honourable Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

The Volunteer Committee, The National Ballet of Canada

The National Ballet of Canada operates under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.

The National Ballet of Canada is a member of the Canadian Dance Assembly and Dance/USA.

The sacred land on which The National Ballet of Canada operates has been a site of human activity for over 15,000 years. This land is the territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Haudenosaunee and the Huron Wendat. Today, Toronto is still home to many indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work in their community, on this territory.

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The National Ballet of Canada Celia Franca, C.C., Founder

George Crum, Music Director Emeritus

Karen Kain, C.C. Artistic Director

Barry Hughson Executive Director

David Briskin Music Director and Principal Conductor

Christopher Stowell Associate Artistic Director

Magdalena Popa Principal Artistic Coach

Lindsay Fischer Artistic Director, YOU dance / Principal Ballet Master

Rex Harrington, O.C. Artist-in-Residence

Peter Ottmann Senior Ballet Master

Mandy-Jayne Richardson Senior Ballet Mistress

Skylar Campbell, Guillaume Côté, Jurgita Dronina, Naoya Ebe, Francesco Gabriele Frola, Greta Hodgkinson, O.Ont., Harrison James, Elena Lobsanova, Svetlana Lunkina, Evan McKie, Heather Ogden, Sonia Rodriguez, Piotr Stanczyk, Jillian Vanstone, Xiao Nan Yu Lorna Geddes, Stephanie Hutchison, Etienne Lavigne, Alejandra Perez-Gomez, Jonathan Renna, Rebekah Rimsay­, Tomas Schramek, Hazaros Surmeyan Jack Bertinshaw, Jordana Daumec, Hannah Fischer, Emma Hawes, Tanya Howard, Alexandra MacDonald, Chelsy Meiss, Tina Pereira, Jenna Savella, Brendan Saye Joe Chapman, Christopher Gerty, Spencer Hack, Kathryn Hosier, Rui Huang, Miyoko Koyasu, Tiffany Mosher­, Félix Paquet, Brent Parolin, Ben Rudisin, Donald Thom Jimmy Coleman, Trygve Cumpston, Brenna Flaherty, Giorgio Galli, Hannah Galway, Selene Guerrero-Trujillo­, Jeannine Haller, Peng-Fei Jiang, Soo Ah Kang, Tirion Law, Antonella Martinelli, Mallory Mehaffey, Larkin Miller, Siphesihle November, Jaclyn Oakley, Andreea Olteanu, Clare Peterson, Meghan Pugh, Teagan Richman-Taylor, Nicholas Rose, Kota Sato, Calley Skalnik, Alexander Skinner, Nan Wang, Ethan Watts RBC Apprentice Programme / YOU dance: Jason Ferro, Alexandra Hall, Nico Janssen, Thomas Leprohon, Noah Parets, Genevieve Penn Nabity, Michael Rinderle, Tene Ward, Jennifer Watembach, Daina Zolty

Robert Binet Guillaume Côté Choreographic Associates

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Joysanne Sidimus Guest Balanchine Répétiteur

Jeff Morris Liliane Stilwell Stage Managers

Lorna Geddes Pointe Shoe Manager / Assistant Ballet Mistress

Orchestra David Briskin, Music Director and Principal Conductor Ormsby Wilkins, Guest Conductor Violin 1 Aaron Schwebel*, Concertmaster Lynn Kuo, Acting Concertmaster Paul Zevenhuizen, Acting Assistant Concertmaster James Aylesworth Jennie Baccante Catherine Cosbey+ Sheldon Grabke Hiroko Kagawa+ Nancy Kershaw Sonia Klimasko-Leheniuk Yakov Lerner Jayne Maddison Wendy Rogers* Violin 2 Dominique Laplante, Principal 2nd Violin Jamie Kruspe, Assistant Principal 2nd Violin Sandra Baron+ Bethany Bergman+ Xiao Grabke* Corey Gemmell+ Csaba Koczรณ Ron Mah* Aya Miyagawa Kathryn Sugden+ Joanna Zabrowarna Violas Angela Rudden, Principal Josh Greenlaw, Assistant Principal Caroline Blackwell+ Shannon Knights+ Valerie Kuinka Johann Lotter Beverley Spotton Cellos Maurizio Baccante, Principal Marianne Pack, Assistant Principal

Mary Katherine Finch+ Olga Laktionova Elaine Thompson Andrew McIntosh* Jill Vitols+ Paul Widner Basses Hans. J.F. Preuss, Principal Jonathan Yeoh*, Assistant Principal Robert Speer, Acting Assistant Principal Brian Baty+ Paul Langley* Robert Wolanski+

Trumpets Richard Sandals, Principal Brendan Cassin+ Mark Dharmaratnam Robert Weymouth* Trombones Charles Benaroya, Principal David Archer Dave Pell, Bass Trombone Tuba Sasha Johnson*, Principal Jennifer Stephen+, Acting Principal

Flutes Leslie J. Allt, Principal Shelley Brown*, Piccolo Maria Pelletier, Piccolo Laura Chambers+

Harp Lucie Parent, Principal

Oboes Mark Rogers, Principal Karen Rotenberg Lesley Young, English Horn

Tympani Michael Perry, Principal

Clarinets Max Christie, Principal Colleen Cook+ Gary Kidd, Bass Clarinet Emily Marlow* Bassoons Stephen Mosher, Principal Jerry Robinson Elizabeth Gowen, Contra Bassoon

Celeste Edward Connell

Percussion Kristofer Maddigan, Principal Mark Mazur Orchestra Personnel Manager and Music Administrator Raymond Tizzard Librarian Lucie Parent

Horns Jessie Brooks, Principal Derek Conrod Gary Pattison Scott Wevers

* On Leave + Additional Musician

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Past Winners 2016 Natasha Sheehan, San Francisco Ballet Corps de Ballet Member with San Francisco Ballet since 2016.

Angelo Greco, San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet since 2017.

Winner of the Choreographic Prize Marc Jubete, The Hamburg Ballet Soloist with The Hamburg Ballet since 2016.

Natasha Sheehan and Angelo Greco, 2016.

2015 Hannah Fischer, The National Ballet of Canada First Soloist with The National Ballet of Canada since 2017.

Hannah Fischer is sponsored through Dancers First by an anonymous donor.

Carlo Di Lanno, San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet since 2016.

Winner of the Choreographic Prize Yury Yanowsky, Boston Ballet Retired as Principal Guest Artist with Boston Ballet in 2015.

Currently a member of the teaching staff at Harvard University and Centro Coreografico, Las Palmas Spain, Summer Program.

Yuri Yanowsky, Hannah Fischer and Carlo Di Lanno, 2015.

2012 Ida Praetorius, The Royal Danish Ballet Principal Dancer with The Royal Danish Ballet since 2016.

Andreas Kaas, The Royal Danish Ballet Principal Dancer with The Royal Danish Ballet since 2018.

Winner of the Choreographic Prize Alessandro Sousa Pereira, The Royal Danish Ballet Dancer with Danish Dance Theatre since 2007.

Alessandro Sousa Pereira, Ida Praetorius and Andreas Kaas, 2012.

2011 Maria Baranova, The Hamburg Ballet Principal Dancer with the Finnish National Ballet from 2011 to 2015. Soloist with Boston Ballet since 2015.

Joseph Gorak, American Ballet Theatre Soloist with American Ballet Theatre since 2014.

Winner of the Choreographic Prize Demis Volpi, Stuttgart Ballet Former Corps de Ballet and Resident Choreographer with Stuttgart Ballet. Current Choreographer with Northern Ballet.

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Joseph Gorak and Maria Baranova, 2011.

Past Winners 2009 Elena Lobsanova, The National Ballet of Canada Principal Dancer with The National Ballet of Canada since 2015.

Elena Lobsanova is sponsored through Dancers First by Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan.

Cory Stearns, American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre since 2011.

Winner of the inaugural Choreographic Prize Matjash Mrozewski, The National Ballet of Canada Cory Stearns and Elena Lobsanova, 2009.

Continues to work as a choreographer internationally creating works for numerous companies. Currently teaches at the National Theatre School.

2007 Tina Pereira, The National Ballet of Canada First Soloist with The National Ballet of Canada since 2009.

Tina Pereira is sponsored through Dancers First by The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C.

Ulrik Birkkjær, The Royal Danish Ballet Principal Dancer with The Royal Danish Ballet and Los Angeles Ballet. Joined San Francisco Ballet as Principal Dancer in 2017.

Ulrik Birkkjær and Tina Pereira, 2007.

2002 Michele Wiles, American Ballet Theatre Retired as Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre in 2011 and is currently Co-Founder, Artistic Director and Principal Dancer with Ballet Next in New York City.

Friedemann Vogel, Stuttgart Ballet Principal Dancer with Stuttgart Ballet since 2002.

Friedemann Vogel, 2002.

1999 Vanessa Zahorian, San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet since 2014.

Gennadi Nedvigin, San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet since 2000. Retired in 2016 and became Atlanta Ballet’s Artistic Director.

Jhe Russell, The National Ballet of Canada Retired as a dancer with Béjart Ballet Lausanne and is currently a teacher and choreographer.

Vanessa Zahorian, Gennadi Nedvigin and Jhe Russell, 1999.

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Past Winners 1995

Jaimie Tapper, The National Ballet of Canada Retired as Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet in 2006, achieved her Honours Graduate degree in Psychology and currently works in the field of maternal health.

Johan Persson, The National Ballet of Canada Retired as Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet in 2002 and is currently an accomplished photographer specializing in portraiture and photography for live dance and theatre.

Johan Persson and Jaimie Tapper, 1995.

1993

Julie Kent, American Ballet Theatre Retired as Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre in 2015 and is currently the Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet.

Johan Kobborg, The Royal Danish Ballet Retired as Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet in 2013 and continues to perform as a guest artist with companies worldwide. Also an established choreographer, his works have been performed by The Royal Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet and The National Ballet of Canada.

Veronica Tennant awarding Julie Kent, 1993.

1989

Silja Schandorff, The Royal Danish Ballet Retired as Principal Dancer with The Royal Danish Ballet in 2009.

Stephen Legate, The National Ballet of Canada Retired as Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet in 2006 and is currently a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in the treatment of professional dancers.

Celia Franca awarding Stephen Legate, 1989.

1988

Rose Gad, The Royal Danish Ballet Retired as Principal Dancer with The Royal Danish Ballet in 2008 and is currently a teacher at The Royal Danish Ballet School.

Errol Pickford, The Royal Ballet Retired as Principal Dancer with West Australian Ballet in 2003. He passed away in June of 2018 at the age of 51.

Karen Kain and Glen Tetley (right) award the first Erik Bruhn Prize to Errol Pickford, 1988.

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The International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize Presented by John and Claudine Bailey

Host Harrison James Principal Dancer The National Ballet of Canada Harrison James is sponsored through Dancers First by Lucy White.

Judges Karen Kain Artistic Director The National Ballet of Canada

Kevin McKenzie Artistic Director American Ballet Theatre

Nikolaj Hübbe Artistic Director The Royal Danish Ballet

Kevin Haigen Principal Ballet Master The Hamburg Ballet

About the Judging Judges score the classical and contemporary performances following each segment. Each judge assigns a score of one through three for each competitor, with number one signifying first place or the highest score. The score represents the judge’s opinion of each competitor’s technique, musicality and artistry. The judges cannot vote for the dancers representing their own companies.

Score sheets are collected by the tabulator who then adds the classical and contemporary scores together. The winning male and female competitor will have the lowest total score. In the event of equal totals, the winning competitor is determined by the highest number of ‘ones’ on his or her score sheets. Ties are accepted if the scores remain equal following this tabulation.

Orchestra The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra, conducted by David Briskin, Music Director and Principal Conductor and Ormsby Wilkins, Guest Conductor national.ballet.ca

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Opening Remarks Harrison James

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Classical Repertoire Note: The programme order will be projected on the surtitles above the stage.

American Ballet Theatre Act III Pas de Deux from Don Quixote Dancers: Catherine Hurlin and Aran Bell Choreographers: Marius Petipa and Alexander Gorsky Music: Ludwig Minkus Costume Designer: Santo Loquasto

The Hamburg Ballet Pas de Deux from The Nutcracker Dancers: Sara Ezzell and Matias Oberlin Choreographer: John Neumeier

Man’s variation: Erik Bruhn, taught for John Neumeier’s first version of

The Nutcracker (1972).

Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Costume Designer: Jürgen Rose

The National Ballet of Canada Act II Pas de Deux from La Sylphide Dancers: Jeannine Haller and Siphesihle November Choreographer: Erik Bruhn after August Bournonville Staged by: Christopher Stowell Music: Herman Severi Løvenskjold Lighting Designer: Jeff Logue after Robert Thomson

The Royal Danish Ballet Pas de Deux from The Flower Festival in Genzano Dancers: Emma Riis-Kofoed and Mattia Santini Choreographer: August Bournonville Music: Holger Simon Paulli Costume Designer: Jens-Jacob Worsaae Lighting Designer: Jeff Logue after Thomas Bek Jensen

Intermission

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Remarks All lighting for the competition designed and supervised by Jeff Logue.

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IV

Contemporary Repertoire Note: The programme order will be projected on the surtitles above the stage.

American Ballet Theatre Let Me Sing Forevermore Dancers: Catherine Hurlin and Aran Bell Choreographer: Jessica Lang Music: Tony Bennett, Steppin' Out With My Baby from the album “Sixty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett” (2013)

Fly Me to the Moon from the album “If I Ruled the World Tony Bennett Song for the Jet Set” (1997)

I've Got Rhythm from the album “Tony Bennett, Here's to the Ladies” (1995)

By Special Permission of Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc. Costume Designer: Bradon McDonald

The Hamburg Ballet An intimate distance Dancers: Sara Ezzell and Matias Oberlin Choreographer: Kristian Lever Music: Kellen McDaniel and Marshall McDaniel, Broken bridges Sound Designer: Kellen McDaniel, Marshall McDaniel and Kristian Lever

The National Ballet of Canada The Other Side Dancers: Jeannine Haller and Siphesihle November Choreographer: Alysa Pires Music: Aphex Twin, Heroes from the album 26 Mixes for Cash © 2003

By Special Permission of Warp Records

Répétiteur: Peter Ottmann

The Royal Danish Ballet Code Dancers: Emma Riis-Kofoed and Mattia Santini Choreographer: Nathan Compiano Music: Bruce Brubaker, Riley: Keyboard Study 2 (Brubaker Version 3) from the album Codex (2018) © all rights reserved Costume Designer: Bajsen Juul Hertz

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Night performed by The National Ballet of Canada Choreographer: Julia Adam Music: Matthew Pierce Costume Designer: Benjamin Pierce Lighting Designer: Lisa Pinkham Répétiteur: Rex Harrington Night is generously supported by The Gail Hutchison Fund for New Creations, with additional support from The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation and The Producers’ Circle.

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Awards Ceremony national.ballet.ca

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Presenting Sponsor 2019/20 season

World Premiere

Swan Lake June 5 – 21, 2020 Directed and Staged

by Karen Kain

Giselle World Premiere

Orpheus Alive with Chaconne Etudes with Piano Concerto #1 & Petite Mort

The Nutcracker World Premiere

New Work by Crystal Pite with Chroma & Marguerite and Armand

Romeo and Juliet Erik Bruhn with Artists of the Ballet in rehearsal (1979). Photo by Henry Grossman.

Hannah Fischer. Photo by Karolina Kuras.

Explore the 19/20 season! national.ballet.ca

American Ballet Theatre

Dancers

Catherine Hurlin, 23

The Hamburg Ballet

Aran Bell, 20

Sara Ezzell, 23

Matias Oberlin, 22 14

Born in New York City, Catherine Hurlin began her dance training at Scarsdale Ballet Studio and Westchester Dance Academy. She won the 2007 Hope Award at the Youth America Grand Prix and received full scholarships to study at the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT) Summer Intensive in New York City. Ms. Hurlin performed the role of Clara in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular for three years and then joined the ABT Studio Company in 2012, the main company as an Apprentice in 2013 and the Corps de Ballet in 2014. Her repertoire includes an Odalisque in Le Corsaire, Maiden in Firebird, peasant pas de deux in Giselle, pas de trois and a big swan in Swan Lake and a leading role in Garden Blue. She created the role of Mademoiselle Marianne Chartreuse in Whipped Cream. In 2018, Ms. Hurlin was promoted to Soloist and received the Princess Grace Award.

Aran Bell was born in Bethesda, Maryland. He began his training with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and spent several summers at The Royal Ballet School in London, UK and at American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT) Summer Intensive in New York City. Mr. Bell has won multiple awards including the Hope Award at the Youth America Grand Prix in New York City (2009 and 2010), Gold Medal and Audience Choice Award at the Rieti International Ballet Competition (2012) and the Premio Capri Danza International Award (2014). He was featured in the 2011 film First Position: A Ballet Documentary. Mr. Bell joined the ABT Studio Company in 2014, the main company as an Apprentice in 2016 and the Corps de Ballet in 2017. His repertoire includes The Leaves Are Fading pas de deux, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, von Rothbart in Swan Lake and a leading role in Garden Blue. Mr. Bell created a leading role in AFTERITE. Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Sara Ezzell got her dance education at the Ellison Ballet Professional Training Program, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, NYU Tisch Precollege Program, Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists and Classical Ballet Academy of Minnesota. After dancing with Oleg Vinogradov’s St. Petersburg Ballet from 2014 to 2015, she joined Stuttgart Ballet for one year before becoming a member of The National Youth Ballet of Germany in 2016. While at the National Youth Ballet, choreographers Wubkje Kuindersma, Zhang Disha and Demis Volpi created pieces on her. In 2017, Ms. Ezzell choreographed a solo for the National Youth Ballet’s programme BJB Songbook – What We Call Growing Up which was performed at the Nijinsky Gala and during a workshop at the Hamburg State Opera. In 2018, Ms. Ezzell joined The Hamburg Ballet and danced a solo in the company’s premiere of George Balanchine’s Liebeslieder Walzer.

Matias Oberlin was born in Santa Fe, Argentina. After starting his dance education in his hometown, he continued to study at the School of The Hamburg Ballet where he was a recipient of a scholarship from the Pierino Ambrosoli Foundation. Mr. Oberlin joined The Hamburg Ballet in 2014 and was promoted to Soloist in 2018. His repertoire includes Günther in The Nutcracker, The King in Christmas Oratorio I-VI, Gaston Rieux in The Lady of the Camellias and Brother Lorenzo in Romeo and Juliet. He has also danced solos in George Balanchine’s Liebeslieder Walzer and Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet. Mr. Oberlin was involved in the creation of John Neumeier’s Beethoven Project and Braulio Alvarez’s Pain Pushed me Forward. In 2017, he choreographed Flash for The Hamburg Ballet’s Young Choreographers programme.

The National Ballet of Canada

Jeannine Haller, 22

Jeannine Haller was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and trained at Place des Arts in Coquitlam, British Columbia and Canada’s National Ballet School.

Ms. Haller joined The National Ballet of Canada as a RBC Apprentice in 2015 and became a member of the Corps de Ballet in 2016. She recently made her debut as Polyhymnia in Apollo. Her repertoire includes the Second Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty as well as roles in Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, Giselle, Onegin, The Winter’s Tale, Nijinsky, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, La Sylphide, Frame by Frame, Pinocchio, The Four Seasons, The Concert, Paquita, A Streetcar Named Desire, Cacti, Emergence and Paz de la Jolla. Ms. Haller was awarded the RBC Apprentice Award in 2016.

Siphesihle November was born in Worcester, South Africa and trained at Canada’s National Ballet School. He joined The National Ballet of Canada as a member of the Corps de Ballet in 2017. Mr. November recently made his debut as Lewis Carroll/White Rabbit in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

He has danced such roles as Bluebird in The Sleeping Beauty and Puck in The Dream and in such ballets as The Nutcracker, Nijinsky, The Winter’s Tale, Anna Karenina, The Four Seasons, Emergence, Being and Nothingness, Paz de la Jolla, Night and The Dreamers Ever Leave You. Siphesihle November is sponsored through Dancers First by Jerry & Joan Lozinski.

The Royal Danish Ballet

Siphesihle November, 20

Emma Riis-Kofoed was born in Denmark. She started her training at The Royal Danish Ballet School in 2006, was hired as an apprentice in 2014 with The Royal Danish Ballet and upon graduation, in 2017 joined the company.

Ms. Riis-Kofoed’s roles include Myrtha in Giselle as well as roles in such ballets as Harald Lander’s Dvorak pas de deux, the pas de six in Napoli and Flower Festival in Genzano.

Emma Riis-Kofoed, 20

Mattia Santini was born in Italy. He trained from 2009 to 2013 at Accademia Teatro alla Scala in Milan and went onto San Francisco Ballet School from 2013 to 2016. In 2016, Mr. Santini joined American Ballet Theatre as a Studio Company member. In 2017, he joined The Royal Danish Ballet as a Corps de Ballet member where he has performed the role of Kermessen in Brügge Pas De Deux and danced in such ballets as Sarabande, Symphony of Salms and Etudes.

Mattia Santini, 20

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The National Ballet of Canada

The Hamburg Ballet

American Ballet Theatre

Choreographers

Jessica Lang

Kristian Lever

Alysa Pires

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Jessica Lang is an American choreographer originally from Bucks County, PA. As one of the most celebrated choreographers of her generation, Lang choreographs and teaches throughout the world. Since 1999, Lang has created original works for companies including American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, the National Ballet of Japan, and Joffrey, among many others.

For opera, Lang was the director and choreographer of Stabat Mater, recently presented by White Lights Festival at Lincoln Center, as well as the choreographer for Francesca Zambello’s production of Aida for San Francisco Opera, Washington National Opera and Seattle Opera. She is the recipient of a 2014 Bessie Award and the 2017 Arison Award. Lang is Artistic Director of Jessica Lang Dance leading the creative vision of the organization that has garnered remarkable acclaim since the company’s founding in 2011. Lang is a graduate of the Juilliard School under the direction of Benjamin Harkarvy and a former member of Twyla Tharp's company, THARP!

Kristian Lever is a Finnish-British award-winning choreographer and dancer. Raised in Helsinki, Finland, he started his dance education at the Finnish National Ballet School and continued his training at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy and the Palucca Hochschule für Tanz Dresden. Mr. Lever’s repertoire includes ballets by Jiří Kylián, Nacho Duato, Ohad Naharin, Marco Goecke, Natalia Horencna, John Neumeier and others. Under the direction of Mr. Neumeier and Kevin Haigen in Hamburg, Mr. Lever was offered his first professional engagement as a choreographer. He has created several works for The National Youth Ballet of Germany and Croatian National Ballet in Rijeka, as well as for dancers with Nederlands Dans Theater, Hessisches Staatsballett, The Royal Ballet and others. In 2019, he was commissioned to create a new work for Ballett Vorpommern and Ballet Theatre Tivoli in Copenhagen. Mr. Lever is also working on a new full-length production with his own company Klever Dance.

Born and raised in Victoria, B.C., Alysa Pires was appointed Choreographic Associate at The National Ballet of Canada in 2019. Ms. Pires is an alumna of the company’s Choreographic Workshop where she developed In Between, which premiered as part of Five Creations in January 2018 and was performed at MAD HOT BALLET in June. Ms. Pires has created works for Ballet Kelowna, Ballet Edmonton (Citie Ballet), Ballet Jörgen, Ryerson University and Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre. She participated in the Spring 2019 Session of New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute and was one of the 2017 winners of Northwest Dance Project’s International Choreographic Competition. Her company, Alysa Pires Dance Projects made its critically acclaimed full-length debut with Exterminating Angel at the 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival. Ms. Pires is an Honours BFA graduate from the Ryerson School of Performance and was the recipient of the 2015 Jack McAllister Award.

The Royal Danish Ballet

Nathan Compiano

Nathan Compiano is a Corps de Ballet member with The Royal Danish Ballet. He began studying ballet at the age of four in Cary, North Carolina and moved to New York City to study full time at the School of American Ballet (SAB) in 2013. SAB’s Student Choreographic Workshop gave him his first opportunities as a choreographer, where he made short works in 2014, 2015 and 2016. In 2016, Mr. Compiano was awarded a scholarship from the Danish American Cultural Exchange, allowing him to study with both The Royal Danish Ballet School and The Royal Danish Ballet for three weeks.

In 2017, he finished his studies with SAB and moved to Europe. In 2018, Mr. Compiano worked in collaboration with composer Zachary Green to commission a work for the New York Choreographic Institute.

Join the Conversation @nationalballet #BruhnPrize

Erik Bruhn with Rudolf Nureyev rehearsing La Sylphide (1964). Photo by Pete Ward.

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The National Ballet of Canada Board of Directors

As of November 29, 2018

Chair Cornell C.V. Wright Gail Appel John Bailey Susanne Boyce Stephen Delaney Marlene DelZotto The Honourable Nicole Eaton, Senator Sandra Faire Giorgio Galli, ex officio Kevin Garland Maxine Granovsky Gluskin* Nancy Holland Barry Hughson, ex officio Karen Kain, C.C., ex officio Krista Kerr Jen Lee Koss Judith Lawrie Janet Lewell Philip Lieberman David Macdonald Geneviève McKillop Ryan McNally Donna Meyers Rebecca Mooney Ed Ogonek, ex officio Linda O’Leary David Pell, ex officio Nancy Pencer Lynda Prince Robbie J. Pryde Gretchen Ross Jenna Savella, ex officio John B. Simcoe Karen Sparks Mavis Staines, C.M., ex officio Daniel F. Sullivan Michele Symons Noreen Taylor, C.M.

Honourary Board As of November 29, 2018

Judith Cohen Judi Conacher Missy Crosbie Jeanie Davis Sherry Taylor Drew James Fleck, O.C. William Harris William Herridge, Q.C. Donald K. Johnson, O.C. Paul O’Donoghue Rose Patten Aaron Regent Robin Vaile Robinson Susan Scace Noreen Taylor, C.M. The National Ballet of Canada /

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Honourary Board Liaison

The National Ballet of Canada, Endowment Foundation Board of Directors

Pointe Shoe Manager/ Assistant Ballet Mistress Lorna Geddes

Company Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Darrell Ogilvie-Harris

As of November 15, 2018

Executive Assistant to the Artistic Director/ Administrative Manager Jennifer Bennett Darbyshire

Company Physician (Family & Sports Medicine) Dr. Julia Hamilton

Chair David Macdonald President Barry Hughson Vice-President Karen Kain, C.C. Treasurer Ray Forzley Secretary Pamela Ouzounian Director of Development Diana Reitberger, CFRE David Banks Ed Esposto Krista Kerr Jerry Lozinski Sue Matthews James Pitblado, C.M. Cornell C.V. Wright

Artistic Artistic Director Karen Kain, C.C. Associate Artistic Director Christopher Stowell Artistic Administrator Gerard Roxburgh Principal Artistic Coach Magdalena Popa Artistic Director, YOU dance / Principal Ballet Master Lindsay Fischer Artist-in-Residence Rex Harrington, O.C. Senior Ballet Master Peter Ottmann Senior Ballet Mistress Mandy-Jayne Richardson Choreographic Associates Robert Binet Guillaume Côté

Manager, Artistic Scheduling Sophie Letendre Associate, Artistic Administration Sarita Dotan Guest Répétiteurs Anna Karenina Vladimir Kocić Ivan Urban The Dream Christopher Carr

Performance Psychologist Dr. Doug Misener Clinical Social Worker / Psychotherapist Lesley Lustig Company Athletic Therapist Paul Papoutsakis Company Physiotherapist Ginette Hamel

Paquita Joanna Berman

Company Massage Therapists Brian Bastedo Ron Mulesa

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Jacquelin Barrett

Resident Pilates Teacher Je-an Salas

The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude Kathryn Bennetts

Urgent Care Dr. Janice Weiss

Approximate Sonata Agnès Noltenius The Second Detail Noah Gelber The Merry Widow John Meehan Steven Woodgate Guest Coaches and Teachers Giorgio Galli Michel Faigaux Matjash Mrozewski Piotr Stanczyk Xiao Nan Yu

Dancer Wellness Programme Director of Dancer Wellness Marla Pichler Company Sports Medicine Physician Dr. Michael Clarfield

Psychiatrist Dr. Pat Colton Naturopathic Doctor Dr. Melissa Piercell Consulting Physician Dr. Julia Alleyne Consulting Chiropractor Dr. Cameron Borody Consulting Foot Specialist/Chiropodist Dr. Nicholas Durand,

Toronto) for their continued support of the Dancer Health and Wellness Programme; and to those physicians who have generously donated their time to The National Ballet of Canada.

Music Music Director and Principal Conductor David Briskin Pianists Edward Connell Andrei Streliaev Zsanna Vaszilenko Zhenya Vitort Orchestra Personnel Manager and Music Administrator Raymond Tizzard Librarian Lucie Parent

Administration Executive Director Barry Hughson Chief Financial Officer Amanda Ram Director of Technology Christopher Sonnemann Senior Manager, Web Technology Services Stephen Cunningham Manager of Technology Andrew Anderson Manager, Software and Applications Mohiuddin Faruqe Payroll and Benefits Manager Jenny Mah

D.Pod.M.

Manager, Human Resources Kathleen Matatya

Consulting Ophthalmologist Dr. Michael Easterbrook

Facilities Manager Emil Mishriky

Consulting Dental Surgeon Dr. Lancelot Brown

Executive Assistant to the Executive Director Patricia Gelinas

The National Ballet of Canada is grateful to the Sports Medicine Specialists (150 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto); the University Health Network, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine; and the Medcan Clinic (150 York Street,

Board Secretary Pamela Ouzounian Business Analyst Bethany Bleile

Solutions Developer Kruti Shah SQL Developer Srikanth Kamithkar General Accountants Sandra Gandola, CB Ronan Finlay O’Donnell Demitrios Prevenas Shu Zhang, CPA, CGA Associate, Human Resources Julian Whitaker Systems Coordinator Jeffrey Lo Building Maintenance Supervisor Henry Martins

Senior Officer, Digital Communications Ashley Haraburda

Senior Manager, Major Gifts Joanna Ivey

Web and Digital Media Officer Sean Leonard

Senior Manager, Special Gifts Richard Lefebvre

Assistant Operations Manager, Audience and Donor Services Erin Rose Macleod

Senior Manager, Individual Giving Deanna Underwood

Marketing Operations Associate Devon Klaas Education and Outreach Coordinator Deanna Galati

Manager, Major Gifts Marielle Bryck Manager, Special Events and Corporate Partnerships Rebecca Hodge

Technical Director Barney Bayliss Stage Managers Jeff Morris Liliane Stilwell Lighting Coordinator Jeff Logue Master Carpenter Paul McNamara Head Electrician Ashley Rose Property Master Michael Ellenton Assistant Carpenter Scott Clarke

Publicity Coordinator Katelyn Welfred

Senior Officer, Digital Philanthropy Nima Naik

Junior Graphic Designer Michaela Halpern

Officer, Writer Caroline Dickie

Communications Intern Ambika Pundir

Officer, Special Events Alexandra Folkes

Assistant Electricians Ron Gorveatt William Fallon

Artist Educator Annemarie Cabri

Officer, Research Laurie Nemetz

Video Technician Michael Farkas

Senior Associate Director, Communications Belinda Bale

Operations Supervisor, Audience and Donor Services Susie Eissler

Associate, Major Gifts Connie Guan

Production Workshop

Associate Director, Audience and Donor Services Veronica McLellan

Relations Supervisor, Audience and Donor Services Anne Meighan

Senior Manager, Communications Catherine Chang

Senior Representative, Audience and Donor Services Patty Pedersen

Receptionists McKenzie Grey Alexis Patch

Communications Director of Communications Julia Drake

Assistant Carpenter/ Flyman Geoff Kay

Resident Cutters Christine Audet Chris Read Assistant to Cutters Susan Howse Assistant Wardrobe Coordinator Grant Heaps Costume Rental Coordinator Bianca Laudadio Wig and Make-up Supervisor Charles Seminerio Footwear Coordinator Lacey Hammond Harrington Stitchers Victoria Arnold† Carolyn Kasperski Lisa Novielli Shelia Ramsay Footwear Assistant Leslie Brown Parental Leave * On Leave of Absence †

Senior Operations Manager, Audience and Donor Services Tal Hebdon Director, In Studio Kate Kernaghan Sales & Service Manager, Audience and Donor Services Rebecca Hall Archivist Katherine Wilson Education and Outreach Manager Lisa Robinson Publicity Manager Victoria Schwarzl Manager, Graphic Design Carmen Wagner

Audience and Donor Services Representatives

Development Director of Development Diana Reitberger, CFRE Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts Kate Halpenny

Associate, Development Communications Sayana Izmailova Associate, Individual Giving Marisa Ortega Executive Assistant to the Director of Development Margie Pacini* Jennifer Scott (Interim) Coordinator, Special Events Brennyn Bauer Coordinator, Gift Management Lucy White Development Intern, Corporate Partnerships Maddy Palmer

Senior Manager, Development Communications John Hart

Production

Senior Manager, Development Operations Leah Heidenheim

Associate Director of Production Yvette Drumgold

Production Director James Thornley

Construction Supervisor Sandy Middleton Assistant Carpenter Larry Pratt Shop Technician Chuck Theil Scenery constructed at the National Ballet Workshop by members of I.A.T.S.E. Local 58.

Property Supervisor John Miracle Resident Scenic Artist Kelly Palmer Assistant Scenic Artist Mark Reid Properties constructed at the National Ballet Workshop by members of I.A.T.S.E. Local 828.

Wardrobe Wardrobe Supervisor Stacy Dimitropoulos Wardrobe Coordinator Barbara de Kat Assistant to the Wardrobe Supervisor Cassandra Spence

national.ballet.ca

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The National Ballet of Canada The Walter Carsen Centre for The National Ballet of Canada 470 Queens Quay West Toronto, Ontario M5V 3K4 416 345 9595 national.ballet.ca

Erik Bruhn with Artists of the Ballet in rehearsal (1979). Photo by Henry Grossman.