37 replies to this topic

[Leigh Witchel]

Interesting choice, as Zehr just arrived from Houston.

Here's the release -

The Erik Bruhn Prize - March 3

Keiichi Hirano and Bridgett Zehr
Represent The National Ballet of Canada

Veronica Tennant and Rex Harrington Host


January  16, 2007...Toronto...Ontario...Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that First Soloist Keiichi Hirano and Second Soloist Bridgett Zehr will represent the company at The Seventh International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize on Saturday, March 3, 2007 at 7:30 pm in the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.  Former Principal Dancers Veronica Tennant and Rex Harrington will host the event.

Competitors from The Royal Danish Ballet, The Royal Ballet and American Ballet Theatre will be announced shortly. Judging the competition are Artistic Directors Karen Kain, Kevin McKenzie (American Ballet Theatre), Frank Andersen (Royal Danish Ballet) and Assistant Director Jeanetta Laurence (The Royal Ballet).  

During the evening The National Ballet of Canada will perform Voluntaries as a tribute to Glen Tetley, Artistic Associate of the company from 1987 to 1989 and to mark his 80th birthday. Mr. Tetley created Oracle (1994), Tagore (1989), La Ronde (1987) and Alice (1986) on the National Ballet and the company has Rite of Spring, Daphnis and Chloë, Sphinx as well as Voluntaries in the repertoire. Glen Tetley will be in attendance at the performance.

Erik Bruhn, one of the greatest male classical dancers of the 20th century, was Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada from 1983 until his death in 1986. In a codicil to his will, Mr. Bruhn left part of his estate for the establishment of The Erik Bruhn Prize, involving the companies with whom he was most closely associated. The Royal Danish Ballet, The Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and The National Ballet of Canada are each invited to send one male and one female dancer to the competition.  He specified that the prize be awarded to two young dancers who "reflect such technical ability, artistic achievement and dedication as I endeavoured to bring to
dance."

The dancers, all between the ages of 18 and 26, are selected by the Artistic Directors of their companies.  Competitors appear in a classical pas de deux and variations and a contemporary pas de deux or solo repertoire.  Each participant receives a medal and the winners each receive a prize of $7,500 and a sculpture by Canadian Artist Jack Culiner.

Nearly all of the past winners have gone on to hold Principal Dancer positions with their companies and to enjoy international careers.

Full list of past winners of The Erik Bruhn Prize <
Biographical information for Keiichi Hirano<
Biographical information for Bridgett Zehr<

The National Ballet of Canada's 2006/2007 season is dedicated to National Ballet founder Celia Franca, who was Artistic Director of the company for 24 years.

Tickets for The Seventh International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize range from $40 - $190 and can be purchased in person at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office (145 Queen St. W) or call 416 (toll free 1-866) 345-9595.  Tickets can also be purchased on line at www.national.ballet.ca.  

Discount rates are available for groups of 10 people or more.

Rush seats are available on the day of performance in person at the box office for $30. Call to confirm availability.

The inaugural season is presented by CTV Bell Globe Media.

The Erik Bruhn Prize is presented by John and Claudine Bailey.

The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Canada Council for the Arts; the Ontario Arts Council; the City of Toronto through the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department; The Government of Canada through the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister, the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Government of Ontario through the Honourable Caroline Di Cocco, Minister of Culture.

[vrsfanatic]

Thank you for the information.   It is wonderful news!    

[Paquita]

Zehr has been injured and will be replaced by corps member Tina Pereira in the competition. I hope Zehr is okay and recovering. Periera is also a very gifted dancer, who has been one to watch ever since her graduation performance from NBS. I'm looking forward to seeing her compete. She will also dance Katherina in "The Taming of the Shrew" next month.

[taoofpooh]

Very jealous in Calgary.

My DS will be watching as he is a student at NBS.

[Paquita]

Apologies for not posting my source earlier, the press release came out today: Tina Pereira

[vrsfanatic]

Yes, we received the news today of Ms. Zehr's injury.    Thank you Paquita for the official press release. Let's hope Ms. Zehr recovers from her injury quickly.

[Noreen Arnold]

If Zehr is not dancing at all next month the injury could be serious.   I was impressed with her dancing during the Fall season and I wish her a speedy recovery.

I have my seat for the competition and its a good one - I'm looking forward to the event!

[mom2]

I will be there too Noreen!!

I also hope that all injuries are healed soon!!!

m2

[EvilNinjaX]

mom2, on Feb 19 2007, 04:51 PM, said:

I will be there too Noreen!!

I also hope that all injuries are healed soon!!!

m2

Heh,  I'm heading up from the warm weather here in Phoenix, AZ!  I'll be seeing my friend who's about to graduate from the School.  I've got Orch Row N 19,20.  How good are those seats?

I've heard so much about Zehr that i was looking so much to seeing her, but i'm sure that Pereira is a wonderful dancer and i'll enjoy it, surely!

Side ntoe:  This is the 2nd time such a thign has happened "to" me.  I got tix a couple of years back for ABT Giselle.  I picked the night that Alessandra Ferri was to be dancing; unfortunatley she was injured and Julie Kent subbed.  it was still gorgeous, but I did have my heart set on Ferri's Giselle.  

-goro-

[mom2]

Bring some warm weather with you, PLEASE.

That said, I'm sure we will be entertained well regardless of weather.  Congrats to your friend on graduating from the school!

I don't know this theatre well enough to comment on your seats, but most orchestra level seats are quite good so I'm sure you'll enjoy.

m2

[Noreen Arnold]

[
Heh,  I'm heading up from the warm weather here in Phoenix, AZ!  I'll be seeing my friend who's about to graduate from the School.  I've got Orch Row N 19,20.  How good are those seats?
-goro-
[/quote]

Well I'm Row Q, seat 8 so you are just a few rows in front of me and to the right.  I have a left aisle seat and my view of the stage is perfect.   Good luck with yours......and I echo Moms2 request, bring some warm weather - please!

[EvilNinjaX]

[quote name='Noreen Arnold' date='Feb 23 2007, 06:32 AM' post='198499']
[
Heh,  I'm heading up from the warm weather here in Phoenix, AZ!  I'll be seeing my friend who's about to graduate from the School.  I've got Orch Row N 19,20.  How good are those seats?
-goro-
[/quote]

Well I'm Row Q, seat 8 so you are just a few rows in front of me and to the right.  I have a left aisle seat and my view of the stage is perfect.   Good luck with yours......and I echo Moms2 request, bring some warm weather - please!
[/quote]

I'm so excited.  And my current teacher's first partner Mavis is the director of the school.  I've been told to seek her out   I'm also supposed to try n find Glen Gilmore (i think) adn thank him for my teacher.  My friend Sabrina is going to show me aroudn the School; I've read on Project Grand Jetee and have seen that it has won some US Architectural awards so i'm really intrigued in seeing it.

Btw, does anyone know about Dance Teq?  I'd like to take a class while i'm up there...

[url="http://www3.sympatico.ca/danceteq/sched.html"]http://www3.sympatico.ca/danceteq/sched.html[/url]

thx
-goro-

[Marga]

Quote

Btw, does anyone know about Dance Teq?  I'd like to take a class while i'm up there...

http://www3.sympatic...eteq/sched.html

Yes. Go! Take a class for sure. Kevin Pugh, former principal dancer NBoC, runs Dance Teq and teaches regularly. So does recently retired principal, ballerina Martine Lamy. The classes are so good that many company members take Dance Teq classes whenever possible. They are held in the beautiful NBoC studios.

[Paquita]

I second Marga's comment. I've been going to Dance Teq on and off for over 4 years. I also wanted to add that they have some wonderful pianists as well, that make taking class there a real pleasure. I've mostly taken class with Kevin Pugh, Cindy Macedo, and Martine Lamy. Each have really different teaching styles, but all are excellent. It's a great environment because the classes are a mix of adult students, professionals, and everything in between and no one is competitive at all. Let me know if you have any more questions about the studio.

[Marga]

Well, that was some competition! With the unexpected turn of events, it proved to be a thrilling night. I guess I can't say anything until the results are published in the papers, but the story that will be told along with the winners' names will be quite the read. Until later!