A big welcome to Ballet BC’s Artists in Residence for the 2021/22 Season, Rachel Meyer and Dance//Novella! The Artist in Residence (AIR) program helps nurture former and existing company members with professional development opportunities. Learn more about Rachel and Dance//Novella below.
Rachel Meyer
Rachel Meyer trained with St. Louis Ballet, the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, and the Northwest Dance Project. She received her BFA at the University of Utah and was awarded a Princess Grace Award in 2010. Rachel has been a member of the Utah Regional Ballet, Dominic Walsh Dance Theatre, the Michael Clark Company, and Ballet BC. As an independent choreographer, she has self-presented two full length works, Quartet (March 2017) and Transverse Orientation (July 2018). Rachel’s commissioned work for Ballet Edmonton, my shadows, premiered in March 2019. Rachel’s work has been presented by the Dancing on the Edge Festival: Transverse Orientation (remounted in July of 2019), Excerpts of a Work in Progress (a short film in July 2020), and her new full length work titled Mama, do we die when we sleep? (July 2021). Rachel is also a Resident Artist at Left of Main, a creative hub for the live arts community in Vancouver
“I’m thrilled to return to Ballet BC in the role of Artist in Residence. As an independent artist and choreographer, I have learned a tremendous amount about how I create and communicate as an artist. In Ballet BC’s collaborative environment, I’m looking forward to sharing the artist I have become and continuing to grow with the support of the company.”
Dance//Novella
In January 2019, Brandon Lee Alley and Racheal Prince brought Dance//Novella (D//N) to life with the intention to research and develop new dance works that move dance closer to humanistic nature. The company aims to develop daring societal stories and concepts that challenge the performer and viewer, as well as ways to positively engage humanity while sharing our stories in the 21st century. A large part of what inspires Dance//Novella is the idea of collaboration, not only with other dance artists but cross-disciplinary partnerships that foster growth and motivation for all artists involved.
In September 2019, D//N debuted Imprinted for 12 Minutes Max Vancouver. This work was followed by new creations for Ballet BC’s Take Form, Lamondance Company, Alberta Ballet School, and Arts Umbrella Prep.
Currently, Dance//Novella has been collaborating with artists from the Deaf community. Together they are building an inclusive work that will be accessible for both a hearing and Deaf audience. D//N is extremely fortunate for the opportunity to collaborate with Chris Dodd (Director of Sound-OFF), Caroline Hébert, Anna- Belle Hébert and Nigel Howard.
Dance//Novella is grateful for the generous support and opportunities provided by Dance Victoria, The Canada Council for the Arts, The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Lamondance, The Dance Centre and Ballet BC.
“We are so excited to be one of the 2021/22 Artists in Residence. Ballet BC has been home to both of us for many years and we are honored to have the support of this program as we research and develop our future artistic endeavors. We would like to pass along our gratitude to Medhi and everyone at Ballet BC for their support.”
