The École supérieure de ballet du Québec celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ludmilla Chiriaeff
January 10, 2024 marked the 100th birthday of Ludmilla Chiriaeff, founder of the École supérieure de ballet du Québec and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. The École supérieure is proud to present a series of activities that will pay tribute to this emblematic figure in the history of dance in Quebec. The year 2024 will offer many opportunities to discover the fascinating career of this pioneer of professional dance in Quebec, and to salute her major impact on arts and culture.
LUDMILLA CHIRIAEFF: A GREAT VISIONARY
The story of Ludmilla Chiriaeff, the founder of the École supérieure de ballet du Québec and of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, is the story of the incredible journey of an immigrant who settled in Quebec in the 1950s with an ambitious dream: to make the art of dance accessible to all. A true pioneer of professional dance in the province, the woman everyone called “Madame” succeeded in opening new territories and shattering multiple glass ceilings, allowing dance to earn its rightful place among the arts. She was the recipient of numerous honours, and in 2022 the government of Quebec added another by designating her a significant historical figure (Personnage Historique).
UPCOMING CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES
April 29: Conversation on Ludmilla Chiriaef – A captivating exploration of her life and legacy
To mark International Dance Day, the École supérieure de ballet du Québec presents an intimate conversation on Ludmilla Chiriaeff, hosted by Judith Ouimet, with exceptional guests who had the privilege of working with Madame Chiriaeff: Jean Grand-Maître, choreographer and former artistic director of Alberta Ballet; Katya Mead, daughter of Madame Chiriaeff; Jacques Drapeau, former principal dancer with Les Grands Ballets; Christine Williams, ballet teacher, examiner and coach; and, of course, Anik Bissonnette, artistic director of ESBQ and former principal dancer with Les Grands Ballets. This activity is offered in collaboration with Les Grands Ballets. More information about the event
May 24-25: Corps de ballet, a show in tribute to Ludmilla Chiriaeff
The École supérieure’s annual show will offer a sensitive and poetic tribute to the great visionary, who continues to inspire current and future generations of dancers. Choreographies by Fernand Nault, Jean Grand-Maître, Anne Plamondon and Ludmilla Chiriaeff will be performed alongside excerpts from iconic works such as Swan Lake and Carmina Burana. A hundred dancers from ages 10 to 20 will perform, fulfilling Madame’s dream of giving Quebec a thriving next generation of dancers.
October 24-26: L’École supérieure shares the stage with Les Grands Ballets in Ludmilla
Some twenty students from the École supérieure de ballet du Québec will have the privilege of sharing the stage with Les Grands Ballets in the show Ludmilla, presented at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts, from October 24 to 26, 2024. This unique program will feature works by renowned artists who influenced or knew Ludmilla Chiriaeff. A creation by Jean Grand-Maître (in which our students will dance) will be accompanied by three other pieces by choreographers James Kudelka, George Balanchine and Ginette Laurin in this vibrant exploration of Madame’s legacy. Know more
The École supérieure invites you to join it in celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Ludmilla Chiriaeff, a woman who shaped the history of dance in Quebec and whose legacy continues to shine. Other surprises will be announced later to round out a memorable series of celebrations of her centennial.
The Master Plan for Professional Dance is a guide for all dance professionals in Quebec. It is a unifying tool aimed at setting the direction for the development and improvement of the discipline.
The development, monitoring, and implementation of the plan require a lot of collaboration and consultation with different profiles from the field. It will go through 3 key modalities:
The establishment of a steering committee representative of the entire dance sector ecosystem. Its role is to ensure the respect of the approach’s intention and to advise, enhance, and validate the process and contents of the updated plan.
Mobilization of the dance sector to review the master plan for dance 2011-2021 and to adopt a new one for the next 5 years.
Conducting extensive consultation to survey as many people as possible in different ways to determine new objectives and identify actions and means to achieve them.
Deployment Axes and Thematic Committees
To ensure a comprehensive, representative, and well-calibrated master plan that improves the conditions of dance practice in Quebec, we rely on thematic committees that cover the following aspects:
Artistic Development:
The work and creation cycle in dance
The diversity of artistic approaches
The conditions for the presentation of works
The development of artistic careers
Indigenous Development:
The topics will be determined by the members of this committee
Disciplinary Development:
Investments in dance
The quality of training
Employment markets
The field of knowledge
Heritage
Organizational Development:
The functioning of organizations
Working conditions
Organizational innovation
Development with Audiences:
Encounters with the public
A culture of dance in Quebec
Territorial Development:
Anchoring in the Quebec territory
Development and outreach beyond Quebec’s borders
Each thematic committee consists of seven professional dance professionals, chosen for their expertise and commitment to the sector. The selection was made according to a rigorous methodology.
Meetings and Consultation:
Several meetings are scheduled at different stages to update the master plan, including meetings with the members of the steering committee, the thematic committees, and the entire field.
These meetings are crucial as they will allow consulting the dance community throughout the process, gathering data, opinions, and recommendations essential to the formulation of a unifying, inclusive, and representative master plan of the aspirations of dance professionals in Quebec.
Different phases of consultation will be planned, including:
State of affairs and learnings
Reading of the current and anticipated environment
Enhancement and validation of the plan
The objective is to create an environment conducive to dialogue, equity, diversity, and innovation, while placing a particular emphasis on Indigenous artistic practices and the sustainable development of the sector.
Our Commitment
We are determined to work for a flourishing dance sector and invite the entire community to join us for a future where dance is celebrated, supported, and integrated into Quebec’s cultural fabric.
The Board of Directors of the Regroupement québécois de la danse (RQD) is very happy and enthusiastic to announce the appointment of Parise Mongrain as the new General Manager. We are eager and optimistic about the significant contribution she will bring to our organization, with her tenure beginning gradually starting from Wednesday, January 17, 2024, and becoming fully operational by the end of March 2024.
With a diversified and rich career in contemporary dance and cultural management, Parise Mongrain brings valuable expertise and strategic vision to the RQD. A graduate of LADMMI (École de danse contemporaine de Montréal), she first shone as a professional contemporary dance performer for 14 years, before dedicating herself to the defense of the rights of dancers and performing artists.
She notably held the positions of General Secretary of the UDA (2004-2011) and Director of the Quebec office of the CRTD (2002-2021). In 2015, supported by a highly committed team and Board of Directors, she founded the Quebec branch of the CQRTD, which became Confluence – Creator of Vocations, dedicated to all performing artists. Her work in career transition for artists and the improvement of working conditions, especially in health and safety, has been widely recognized.
Parise Mongrain holds two master’s degrees, one in Industrial Relations (UdeM) and the other in Cultural Enterprise Management (HEC Montreal), and is certified as a Civil, Commercial, and Workplace Mediator (UdeS/IMAQ). She was honored as a ‘Lifetime Member’ of the UDA and received the Montreal Dance Award – Cultural Manager Category in 2020.
Highly involved in her community, Parise has served on several boards of directors, including: Human Resources Council of the Cultural Sector (Ottawa), Hnatyshyn Foundation (Ottawa), Daniel Léveillé Danse, Regroupement québécois de la danse. Until very recently, Parise had the privilege of sitting on the boards of Anne Plamondon Productions and Vias (Diana Leon and Paco Ziel). Her vast experience and commitment to the dance community make Parise Mongrain an ideal general manager for the RQD. We are convinced that her leadership, deep knowledge of the sector, and passion for dance will contribute significantly to the development and visibility of the RQD and the dance sector in Quebec.
We welcome Parise Mongrain with enthusiasm and look forward to a successful collaboration under her direction. Her arrival promises to bring a new dynamic and enriching experience to the RQD, and we are confident that her leadership will strengthen our mission in service of dance in Quebec.
As the festive season approaches, we would like to inform you that the RQD offices will be closed from December 23rd to January 7th. We will use this break to recharge and return in 2024 with even more energy and exciting projects to support and celebrate dance throughout Quebec.
We wish you very happy holidays, filled with joy, peace, and moments of dance. May this period bring you rest and serenity.
We look forward to reconnecting in 2024, for a year full of new opportunities and shared successes.
Rymel Laroui has joined the team of the Regroupement Québécois de la Danse (RQD) as the Director of Communications, a position she has held since November 15 2023.
With a rewarding career in marketing and communication strategy, Rymel has gained valuable expertise in helping numerous small and medium-sized enterprises grow and develop. Her passion for the world of culture, and particularly for choreographic art, makes her an ideal addition to the RQD team.
Rymel is determined to use her skills and experience to promote and support the proliferation of choreographic art in Quebec. Her role as Director of Communications will involve an effective and innovative communication strategy to strengthen the presence and influence of the RQD in the Quebec cultural landscape. With her creative approach and dedication to the RQD’s mission, Rymel is well-positioned to make a significant contribution to the organization’s success.
We welcome her and wish her great success in her new role at the RQD!
Characterized by numerous projects and challenges, the year 2022-2023 was distinguished by a genuine unity aimed at deepening the Regroupement’s understanding of the issues facing the sector and its artists.
Between the Pense Danse campaign, the launch of an economic survey and the improvement of member services… A review in words and pictures.
Six positions will be up for election at the 2023 AGM of the Regroupement québécois de la danse: three (3) in the college of individual members and three (3) in the college of corporate members. Here are the candidates who have applied to sit on the RQD Board of Directors.
On the day of the AGM, each candidate will have 90 seconds (1’30) to introduce himself or herself to the members. Self-nominations will also be accepted during the election period.
Fannie has been with RUBBERBAND since 2010. With a degree in theater from UQAM, she turned to a career in arts administration, founding her own theater company, Collectif Ikaria. She then obtained a DESS in management from HEC Montréal, followed by a master’s degree and a certificate in philanthropic management from UdeM. Alongside her administrative activities, Fannie performed on stage and television between 1992 and 2005, writing and producing several plays and two short films. Her work has earned her the ISPA Fellowship Program and the Raymond Blais Scholarship. In 2012, she joined the Board of Directors of the Regroupement québécois de la danse, becoming Co-President in 2021. Finally, she was elected Chair of the Board of the Canadian Dance Assembly in 2017, in addition to her role as representative of creative companies.
Motivation for joining the RQD Board of Directors
In the interest of continuity, I hope to be able to share the experience I’ve acquired over the past 10 years on the RQD Board of Directors.
Graduate of ESBQ; dancer for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Calgary City Ballet, Howard Richard Danse; B.A. Philosophy and Economics, M.A. Administration. A cultural manager for nearly 30 years, I have contributed as general manager to magnificent organizations including I Musici de Montréal, the National Circus School, the Conservatoire de musique et d’art dramatique du Québec and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. At the same time, I’ve been a director of various industry organizations: Conseil québécois de la musique, Regroupement des arts du cirque En Piste, Tohu – Cité des arts du cirque, CALQ and Regroupement québécois de la danse.
Motivation for joining the RQD Board of Directors
I was recently co-opted onto the Regroupement’s Board of Directors, and have already had the privilege of contributing to the governance and recruitment committees. I have worked with a surprisingly diverse team and group of volunteers. Particularly sensitive to the unity and solidarity that our sector must demonstrate in this period of uncertainty and profound upheaval, and for the fundamental and superior interests of our discipline and our members of all categories, traditions and aesthetics, I am seeking a regular mandate during which I would like to participate actively in the challenges of governance, planning and representation.
Sophie Corriveau | Artistic and General Director Danse-Cité
Experience and expertise
I’ve been Artistic and General Director of Danse-Cité for 4 years now. Since I was very young, dance has been a part of my life. I’m originally from Quebec City, where I took my first ballet classes. I moved to Tiohtiá:ke/Montreal to continue my training. I have danced with various companies and choreographers. I have created 3 choreographic works and initiated several artistic projects. I’ve taught a lot, with great pleasure. I have accompanied several artists as an artistic advisor or rehearsal director. I am the mother of 2 young adults.
Motivation for joining the RQD Board of Directors
Today, more than ever, dance needs to be together. To be heard and to make demands, to support artists, creation and the sector as a whole in these fragile and anxious times. For me, the RQD represents this togetherness and has a major role to play as a rallying force, a spokesperson and a bearer of concrete actions. I want to take part in this work, to the best of my ability. At Danse-Cité, we work to support creation, the well-being of artists, diversity of practices, diversity of aesthetics and inclusion in all spheres of our actions.
After studying literature and silver photography, Nicolas Filion turned to dance in 1998. For 15 years, he danced with numerous companies and choreographers, pursued graduate studies in dance and arts studies and practice, acted as a cultural mediator, taught and contributed to several research projects. Following a brief entrepreneurial detour at the helm of his own café, he returned to dance in 2017 to become a development officer, before taking over from Stéphanie Hinton as director of FÔVE diffusion in September 2019. With a unique and varied background and a passion for the living arts, Nicolas favors a human and committed approach to arts development and administration.
Motivation for joining the RQD Board of Directors
Two years on the RQD Board of Directors have shown me how important it is to bring together a plurality of voices in the milieu in order to keep abreast of issues across the discipline. I’ve been active as a dissemination agent for six years now: I believe I’m in a position to contribute to the Board’s work by keeping in mind issues related to exports, the strategic development of artistic signatures, and the financing and promotion of home-grown creations. I am convinced of the importance of the RQD in defending and promoting the discipline, and remain at the disposal of members if they wish to support me for a further two-year term.
Choreographer, dancer, teacher and curator, Anne Plamondon has danced for some of Canada’s and the world’s leading companies, including Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Kidd Pivot, Nederlands Dans Theater 2 and Ballet Gulbenkian. She has also worked with renowned choreographers and directors including Marie Chouinard, James Kudelka, Serge Denoncourt, Marcos Morau and Ina Christel Johannessen. In 2002, she joined Victor Quijada’s RUBBERBANDance, where she was Co-Artistic Director from 2006 to 2015. In parallel, she began her career as a choreographer in 2012 and founded her own company, Anne Plamondon Productions, in 2018.
Motivation for joining the RQD Board of Directors
I hope that my experience as a performer, choreographer, artistic director, curator and teacher can contribute to the advancement of my discipline. In particular, I want to foster the idea that there is strength in unity, that curiosity to better understand others opens our minds and enriches us, and that dance is an art of inestimable power that can touch the soul.
INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS
3 positions up for election
I have been a professional dancer since 2006. I rose through the ranks at Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo to become a principal dancer in 2014. I’ve traveled the world and worked with some of the most influential choreographers of our generation. I returned to Montreal in 2018 and have been dancing at the grand ballets ever since. I founded an association called The Dance Lab, which organizes master classes and workshops to bring dance and learning opportunities to future generations of dancers. I also take part in several international galas.
Motivation for joining the RQD Board of Directors I want to get involved in the Quebec community and share my experience and expertise with the local dance scene. I want to learn and exchange in order to help our beautiful Quebec community grow. I hope we can build bridges between different dance styles.
Amandine Garrido has many years’ experience in the performing arts, bringing a diverse background as a dancer-performer, choreographer, director and teacher. She graduated as a dance interpreter with training in classical and contemporary dance in 2002 (Honors, Conservatory of Arts of the University of Chile) and has worked for various contemporary companies throughout her country. In 2008, she arrived in Canada via Cirque du Soleil’s Varekai show, where she practiced aerial art. In spring 2013, she joined the Sursaut dance company. A multi-talented performer and choreographer, she inspires us with her stage presence, versatility and fluidity of movement. Her inspirations, a blend of contemporary influences and a grounding in classical technique, allow her to bring to life the way she embodies her art: as a bewitching expression of suppleness and agility. She has taken part in numerous creative projects, including Sève, Tierra mi cuerpo as part of the Rurart – Art contemporain en milieu rural project, Le regarde animal presented as part of the Viva! Art Action festival in Montreal, among others. She made her first collaboration as choreographer and performer for the company Sursaut in 2017. She is currently part of the dance company ZemmourBallet as a performer and resident artist for 2022, and is working on her personal creative projects as a choreographer. She has taken part in several video-dance projects in Chile, one of which won numerous international awards, and has just completed her second video-dance called Grandir, in which she participated as choreographer, director and performer. This creation was made possible thanks to the support of the Conseil des arts et lettres du Québec, zemmourballet, CASJB and the magnificent work of Matthew Gaines as second director. Grandir à was shown in 3 different countries and at 5 video-dance festivals.
Motivation for joining the RQD Board of Directors I’m interested in joining the RQD Board of Directors for several exciting reasons. Firstly, my experience in the Chilean and Quebec dance communities has given me a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing artists. I’m deeply committed to improving the dance milieu in Quebec, with a focus on respecting and valuing artists. As an immigrant artist working mainly in the regions, I feel a special responsibility to contribute to the integration and enrichment of the Quebec dance family. I want to be actively involved in promoting cultural diversity within this dynamic artistic community. My 100% commitment to my career means I want to play an active role in the development and growth of Quebec’s dance sector. By joining the RQD Board of Directors, I pledge to work closely with the other members to achieve these essential goals.
My experience in the arts (particularly street dance and dance theater) comes from hands-on expertise acquired as a performer, choreographer, animator, teacher, mentor, event organizer and event participant. I’ve been involved in Montreal’s street dance and dance theater scene since 2008, first as a club dancer, then as a b-girl (breakdancer). I quickly expanded my knowledge of street dances by attending local and international events, connecting and learning from community members, and eventually starting to organize open practices and events for my community. I have acquired skills through the multiple demands of a performing artist and community arts worker. I feel well-positioned as an arts worker who listens to the needs of the community and has the experience and organizational skills to offer tools for change.
Motivation for joining the RQD Board of Directors I believe I can offer an avenue for advocacy for self-taught dancers, street dancers, and dancers that have practices other than show-making. The hip hop arts and street dance community are often underrepresented in structural development efforts (although popular in performative spectatorship). Some major reasons include: ambiguity surrounding the practices of hip hop arts & street dance; discomfort when immersed in their social customs; inability to work with artists who require assistance with administrative and communication tools; and general lack of advocacy. I also feel that I can speak to an element of the dance scene that is often overlooked: the nightlife/club scene.
I have been a dance artist based out of Tio:tia’ke/Montreal since 2004. I am a graduate of the Concordia Contemporary Dance program, focused on choreographic practice. I am the co-creator and curator of the dance events Short&Sweet, Piss in the Pool and Lots of Love. I have shown works at Tangente, Studio 303, Cinquieme Salle, and the MAI, and toured pieces throughout Canada. My areas of expertise are curation, and choreography, as well as collective organizing in the arts.
Motivation for joining the RQD Board of Directors I am interested in serving on the RQD board of directors because I have always seen myself as an activist for dance working outside of traditional administrative structures. Recently, a colleague suggested to me that I might be of good to the dance milieu use volunteering within an organization that has a set infrastructure, and encouraged me to apply to the RQD CA. I am interested in supporting the needs and interests of independent choreographers and dance artists who tend to work outside of paths of incorporation. I believe that our experiences are quite unique, and have specific issues that could be addressed, and in doing so could actually help the milieu as a whole. I also view this a great opportunity to better understand the structures of decision making and consensus finding in an arts oriented board.
On Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 9am to 4pm, the Regroupement québécois de la danse will hold its annual general meeting as well as its RDVA in hybrid format, at the Atrium des Grands Ballets where breakfast and a meal will be served. The day will take place in person, with the possibility of attending online to ensure that everyone in Quebec will be able to attend.
The meeting will be followed by an afternoon of workshops and presentations, in which we invite you all to take part.
Please note that a travel reimbursement charge of $0.50 per km will be applied for members from the regions.
For any questions regarding the online event, please contact the mobilization manager Boko Rodrigue.
DON’T FORGET
Access to your email on site : In order to vote for AGM board members, please bring your laptop and/or cell phone. On-site computers will be available for those without access to devices.
English translation: English-speaking members requiring the instant English interpretation service will need to bring headphones to benefit from it.
Bring water bottles to minimize our carbon footprint.
PREREQUISITES
Are you a member in good standing of the RQD for the year 2023-2024?To be able to exercise your voting rights during the AGM, you must have renewed your membership beforehand. Subscribeby October 24, as no applications can be processed the day before or on the day of the AGM for logistical reasons.
Six (6) positions are up for election to serve on the RQD Board of Directors:
three (3) in the college of individual members;
three (3) corporate members;
The RQD’s Board of Directors aims to bring together complementary expertise and ensure adequate representation of different practice sectors, different organizational forms and artistic, cultural, territorial and generational diversity. The RQD is also looking for people with governance, management and strategy skills to support its actions to revitalize the sector.
To submit your application, we encourage you to complete the form provided for this purpose beforeOctober 23 2023 so that we can add it to the list of applications shared with members before the AGM. Otherwise, unsolicited applications are still possible. Don’t wait any longer and apply today!
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
Would you like to contribute to the advancement of your sector? Join the event team as a volunteer by contacting the mobilization manager Boko Rodrigue.
This year, six (6) positions are up for election to serve on the RQD Board of Directors (BOD): three (3)in the college of corporate members and three (3) in the college of individual members.
The RQD BOD aims to bring together complementary expertise and ensure adequate representation of different practice sectors, different organizational forms and artistic, cultural, territorial and generational diversity. The RQD is also looking for individuals demonstrating skills in governance, management, marketing, data management and strategy to support its actions for the revival of the sector.
In order for your application to be included in the mailing of the official AGM documents, we encourage you to send your application before October 12 2023.
You can always apply spontaneously at the Annual General Meeting.
Elections will be held during the RQD Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will take place in person at the Atrium des Grands Ballets, with the option of attending virtually on Thursday, October 26, 2023 from 9:30 a.m.
PREREQUISITES
Are you a member in good standing of the RQD for the year 2023-2024?
To be able to exercise your voting rights during the AGM, you must have renewed your membership beforehand. Join by October 24, as no applications can be processed the day before or on the day of the AGM for logistical reasons.
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