Ballet BC

Press Releases

For Immediate Release, May 4, 2010

Ballet BC Announces Successful Matching Pledge Campaign

Vancouver, BC—Dr. Kevin B. Leslie, Chair of the Board of Directors of Ballet BC, today announced that Ballet BC’s matching pledge campaign, running from January to April 2010, has successfully reached its $300,000 goal.

“This is a spectacular achievement given these difficult global economic times and demonstrates the goodwill and support Ballet BC enjoys in Vancouver and beyond,” Dr. Leslie said. “The funds raised places the company in a secure financial position as it moves forward into the 2010/2011 season and is a clear indication that Ballet BC has enthusiastic support in Vancouver”.

Executive Director Jay Rankin expressed his “sincere gratitude to all of our contributors who represent wide support for the new direction of the company under Artistic Director Emily Molnar. Audiences in Vancouver are clearly anticipating the promise of further exciting new work from the many choreographic stars participating in the company’s 2010/2011 season.”

The upcoming Ballet BC season includes three shows by Ballet BC, the return of the full Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as well as the spectacular, new $1.5 million production of The Nutcracker from Alberta Ballet. Season subscription tickets for the upcoming season will be on sale from June 1 through the Ballet BC box office and single tickets from August 16 through Ticketmaster.

Ballet BC, a company of 15 dancers from around the world, is committed to the ballet of
today. Grounded in classical ballet technique but with a 21st century twist, the company's vision is to innovate and create dance that is engaging, passionate and transformative by creating a collaborative environment dedicated to nurturing the artistic voice and enriching the spirit of its audiences with a diverse repertoire of Canadian and international contemporary dance.

For more information, contact:
Jodi Smith
JLSmgmt@lightspeed.ca

For Immediate Release, March 29, 2010

Ballet BC Appoints Emily Molnar as Permanent Artistic Director

Vancouver, BC—Dr. Kevin B. Leslie, Chair of the Board of Directors of Ballet BC, today announced the official appointment of Emily Molnar as permanent Artistic Director of the dance company.

In July 2009, Molnar was appointed Interim Artistic Director of Ballet BC where she helped steer the company through a transition period, moving it towards a new era of contemporary ballet. “This past year has been an exhilarating experience,” says Molnar. “I am looking forward to fostering more collaboration that supports dance artists and choreographers and extends the boundaries of contemporary ballet.”

Formerly a dancer with Frankfurt Ballet under director William Forsythe, The National Ballet of Canada and Ballet BC, Molnar has been called one of Canada’s “new generation of ballet sensations” by Maclean’s Magazine. An internationally respected and critically acclaimed artist who has worked extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Mexico, Canada and the U.S., Molnar has created and performed many works as a choreographer and solo artist. Her commissions include dances for Alberta Ballet, Ballet Mannheim, Ballet Augsburg, Cedar Lake Dance, Pro Arte Danza, and Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company, among others.

Under Molnar’s direction, BALLET BC is proud to announce the official launch of the renewed and rejuvenated company in Re/Naissance at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, running from April 15-17, 2010 (Thurs, Fri, Sat, April 15 - 17 at 8pm and Sat. April 17 at 2pm).

The four performances of Ballet BC’s Re/Naissance feature three outstanding Vancouver premieres, created by internationally renowned choreographers, and clearly reflects her vision for the artistic direction of the company. Herman Schmerman originally created for the New York City Ballet is a work by iconoclastic choreographer William Forsythe of The Forsythe Company and formerly of the Frankfurt Ballet, with music by Dutch composer Thom Willems. Things I told nobody, by Israeli-born Itzik Galili, one of Europe’s hottest choreographers is set to music by Handel, Vivaldi, Mozart and Satie. Short works: 24 is a work by the internationally sought after choreographer and native British Columbian Crystal Pite.   

Leading up to these performances Ballet BC has launched a Matching Pledge Campaign, a fund-raising initiative running until the end of April, intended to provide a stable foundation for the continuing success of the company.
Ballet BC, a company of 15 dancers from around the world, is committed to the ballet of today. Grounded in classical ballet but with a 21st century twist, the company’s vision is to innovate and create dance that is engaging, passionate and transformative by creating a collaborative environment dedicated to nurturing the artistic voice and enriching the spirit of its audiences with a diverse repertoire of Canadian and international contemporary dance.

Media Contact: Jodi Smith, JLS Entertainment

604.736.4939 | jlsmgmt@lightspeed.ca

Photo of Emily Molnar, Photographer: Michael Slobodian

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 17, 2009

Ballet British Columbia announces Jay Rankin as new Executive Director

Appointment heralds new era of stability and continued growth for contemporary ballet company

Vancouver, BC – Ballet British Columbia’s Board of Directors is delighted to announce the appointment of Jay Rankin as the Company’s new, permanent Executive Director, effective November 1, 2009. Rankin, a dedicated and proven leader who has served non-profit arts organizations for more than 30 years joins Ballet British Columbia following the company’s successful financial restructuring, which has enhanced the company’s stability. Rankin will lead the Company to a new era of strength and artistic prominence.

“I am delighted to be joining Ballet British Columbia during this key time in the organization’s development and growth,” Rankin explained. “I look forward to building on the strong foundations of the Company, its vision and reputation for innovative choreography. I am personally inspired to work in partnership with Emily Molnar, Interim Artistic Director, the Ballet BC Board, and the entire Company to ensure the continued growth and momentum of Ballet British Columbia, and its bright and stable future.”

Managing Director of Toronto Dance Theatre (TDT) since 2000, Rankin has a proven record of accomplishments in guiding organizations. His fundraising experience is of the highest pedigree, and includes significantly building Toronto Dance Theatre’s working capital reserve while simultaneously reducing its deficit. With eight seasons at TDT, Rankin instituted a multi-year professional development program, helped to redefine the public image of the organization, and successfully negotiated a variety of complex governance agreements.

Rankin brings with him credibility in fundraising and negotiation, as well as strong roots and key relationships in the arts sector across the country. He has served on a number of funding panels for organizations, including The Canada Council Dance Section, the BC Arts Council, and the Ontario Arts Council. Previous to TDT, Rankin worked in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and Montreal as Senior Administrator for companies such as The Karen Jamieson Dance Company and Full Circle: First Nations Performance. His unwavering commitment to management, progress and financial development is bolstered by his dedication to continued education in the arts management sector where he mentors junior arts managers.

“The Board takes great pleasure in announcing Jay Rankin’s appointment,” said Dr. Kevin B. Leslie, Director on the Board of Ballet British Columbia. “This is an extremely important milestone for the Company. We are confident that Mr. Rankin will be an excellent institutional ambassador who will bring clear and forceful leadership to the position with his strong fundraising and financial acumen coupled with his creative, strategic and consistent management style. Rankin has a profound respect for the artform, valuing excellence, artistic expression, and integrity.”

About Ballet British Columbia (www.balletbc.com)

Founded in 1986, Ballet British Columbia is an internationally acclaimed dance company that is a leader in contemporary ballet within Canada. Bold, innovative, and sophisticated, the Vancouver-based company’s distinctive style and approach to the art form has helped the company make a unique and valuable contribution to the development of dance.

Consisting of a select group of 15 dancers from around the globe, Ballet British Columbia presents a diverse repertoire of Canadian and international contemporary ballet from the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

In addition to a number of international tours, Ballet BC’s notable programs include Artist in Residency, company apprenticeship, outreach initiatives for students, as well as the always-popular Studio Series, Pre-show Chats, and Artist Talks.

Under the new artistic direction of Emily Molnar, former member of The National Ballet of Canada, Ballet British Columbia, and the Frankfurt Ballet, the company looks forward to fostering collaborations that support artists, choreographers, and audiences alike, furthering the boundaries of contemporary ballet.

For more information about Ballet BC’s upcoming season, please visit www.balletbc.com.

Photo of Jay Rankin, Photographer unknown

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 6, 2009

Ballet BC announces Emily Molnar as new interim Artistic Director

Vancouver, BC – Ballet British Columbia’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Emily Molnar, former soloist of the Frankfurt Ballet, artist with The National Ballet of Canada and Principal Dancer with Ballet BC, as the Company’s new interim Artistic Director for the 2009/2010 season. Over the course of the next 12 months, Molnar will steer Ballet BC through its period of transition and towards a new era of exceptional contemporary ballet.

“I am both humbled and excited to be given the opportunity to work alongside some of the most gifted dancers in this province, helping build a revitalized Ballet BC,” explains Emily Molnar, interim Artistic Director. “Over the course of the next year, I look forward to developing Ballet BC into a creative outlet, placing importance on developing choreographers and nurturing dancers as artists – a space that encourages the highest potential in each individual. The future possibilities are truly endless.”

A graduate of The National Ballet School, Molnar is a former member of The National Ballet of Canada, Ballet BC, and the Frankfurt Ballet. Named as one of Canada’s “new generation of ballet sensations” by Maclean’s Magazine, Molnar is an internationally respected and critically acclaimed artist who has worked and toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Mexico, Canada and the US. Molnar has created and performed several works as a choreographer and solo artist, including commissions for Alberta Ballet, Ballet Mannheim, Ballet Augsburg, Cedar Lake Dance, Pro Arte Danza, and Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company, among others. In September 2005 Molnar was invited to participate in The New York City Choreographic Institute where she worked with dancers from The New York City Ballet. In 2003, Molnar was named Artist in Residence at Arts Umbrella in Vancouver.

“We are extremely delighted that Emily has agreed to become the new interim Artistic Director of Ballet BC,” explains Graeme Barrit, President of Ballet BC’s Board of Directors. “The Board is confident that Emily’s breadth of experience and immense talent coupled with her creative vision for Ballet BC will guide the Company to new heights.”

Molnar’s first major project as interim Artistic Director of Ballet BC will be a special celebratory gala performance, taking place Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at the Playhouse Theatre, preceded by a VIP fundraising dinner. A joint partnership between The National Ballet of Canada and Ballet BC, the night will feature Principal Dancers from The National Ballet with a new work choreographed by Molnar and performed by Ballet BC. Tickets for both events will be available in early August.

For more information on ticket purchase for the September gala, please contact Ballet BC at 604.732.5003.