Ballet Jazz Montréal
Emerging from a collaboration between Geneviève Salbaing, Eva Von Genscy and Eddy Toussaint in 1972, BJM – Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal – is a repertory company that creates, produces and presents contemporary dance performances based on the technique, rigour and aesthetics of classical ballet. Its work consistently appears on local, national and international stages.
The company offers its artists high-level professional ballet training and gives internationally renowned choreographers the freedom to develop their artistic process in keeping with BJM’s identity. In doing so, the company is able to create an exclusive repertoire that is accessible to all. As a leading ambassador of Quebec dance across the globe, BJM is synonymous with flawless execution. Its distinctive style is at once artistic, sexy, explosive, original and accessible.
Since being named artistic director in 1998, Louis Robitaille has reoriented the company toward audiences open to new choreographic forms. He has linked BJM with rising names in the world of contemporary dance, such as Crystal Pite, Aszure Barton and others. The company also regularly collaborates with internationally renowned choreographers, including Mauro Bigonzetti, Andonis Foniadakis, Itzik Galili, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Barak Marshall, Benjamin Millepied, Rodrigo Pederneiras, Ihsan Rustem and Cayetano Soto. In recent years, the company’s artistic direction has favoured multidisciplinary creations that blend ballet with other artistic disciplines such as theatre, video and music.
Every piece created for BJM remains faithful to an aesthetic exerting a positive influence. With accessibility and quality as its key values, the company has managed to incorporate enjoyment into creations that are strong, expressive and demanding. The distinctive personality and high calibre of its performers ensure the company’s sustained success and reputation. Through its many productions, performances and educational activities, BJM is able to encourage discovery, stimulate imagination and democratize dance, all while sharing with local and international audiences its deep passion for this discipline. Having presented more than 2,000 performances for over 2 million fans in 67 countries, BJM is a true ambassador of Canadian dance and artistic vitality across the globe.
In 2016, BJM and its artistic director were awarded the Rideau Hommage prize in recognition of the company’s reputation and continued presence on the Québec stage.
In 2017, BJM proudly celebrated 45 years of history, ballet, touring and meeting audiences.
Source: Ballet Jazz Montréal
More information: http://www.bjmdanse.ca
