Mehdi Walerski announced as new Ballet BC artistic director
Credit to Author: Stuart Derdeyn| Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2020 19:39:27 +0000
Ballet BC has announced that choreographer Medhi Walerski will succeed Emily Molnar as the new artistic director of the company. Molnar is leaving at the end of the current season to assume the post of artistic director of the Nederlands Dans Theatre (NDT).
A globally celebrated choreographer, Walerski is no stranger to Ballet BC.
His work Petite Céremonie, is a staple of the Ballet BC repertoire, and he has created a number of pieces for the company. His first full-length work, Romeo + Juliet, is the company’s most successful production to date. His familiarity with Ballet BC and with the direction it has headed under Molnar’s guidance bodes well for continuing to see it’s global reputation as one of the most exciting dance organizations in the country keep growing.
Walerski began his career at the Paris Opera Ballet, moving on to the NDT for over a decade. It was there that he made his choreographic debut in 2008. He has continued to create for that company as well as many others.
“I am honoured and thrilled to be joining Ballet BC as Artistic Director, and to work and collaborate with its incredible artists and team,” he said in an official announcement. “Building on the company’s legacy, and sharing the diverse and innovative creative vision of Ballet BC with audiences across Canada and the world is something to which I look forward with great anticipation.”
Molnar is on record enthusiastically lauding her successor: “I am thrilled the company will move into a new era with Medhi. His accomplishments as an internationally renowned dancer, as well as his 8-year choreographic affiliation with the company will surely bring Ballet BC forward with a fresh new vision.”
Walerski’s first full season as Artistic Director will commence in July for the 2020/21 season which also coincides with the 35th anniversary of the organization.