Appointment Notice - Anik Bissonnette is appointed Co-CEO, artistic and
pedagogical director at the École supérieure de ballet contemporain de
Montréal

MONTREAL, May 31 /CNW Telbec/ - Mr. Marc Bélanger, president of the Board of Directors at the École supérieure de ballet contemporain de Montréal (ESBCM), is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Anik Bissonnette as Co-CEO, Artistic and Pedagogical Director at the institution.

"The School and its students are fortunate to have someone as qualified, committed, and passionate as Anik Bissonnette. She has extensive professional experience and keenly understands the School's mission. Her background is impressive as is her reputation, which extends far beyond our borders. With artistic vision, directing experience, extensive knowledge of professional dance, a network of national and international contacts as well as a privileged relationship with our public and major players in the business community, Anik Bissonnette emerged as the right candidate to fill this key position within our school," said Mark Belanger.

Trained at the Ballet de Montréal Eddy Toussaint, Anik Bissonnette was principal dancer with the Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal from 1989 until her retirement in 2006. As a ballerina, she was invited to interpret great classic roles with numerous prestigious foreign companies. This afforded her the occasion to work with several of the best current choreographers including James Kudelka, William Forsyth, Jiri Kylian, Ohad Naharin, Nacho Duato, Ginette Laurin, José Navas and Nils Christe. Artistic Director of the Festival des arts in Saint Sauveur and president of the Regroupement québécois de la danse (RQD), Ms. Bissonnette also works in collaboration with Edward Lock from La La La Human Steps. She is, since 1995, Officer of the Order of Canada and, since 1996, Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Québec.

"I'm very touched by the confidence that the Board of Directors of the School founded by Ludmilla Chiriaeff has shown me. She was my mentor and her constant support encouraged my career as a ballerina blossom. My professional experience has given me the ability to contribute to the training and influence of new generations of dancers; a notion that is very dear to my heart. I am enthusiastic about working with the School's team so that I can offer these future dancers not only my passion for the profession, but also the rigour and daily perfectionism that I learned from the best in the field. Although my vision for the future of the ESBCM has roots anchored in Quebec, it is nevertheless measured against the highest international standards. A partnership with the dance community in Quebec, Canada and around the world will happen naturally because I am fortunate to have already developed a close relationship with this community over the years," added Anik Bissonnette.

Under the authority of the Board of Directors and in tight collaboration with Mr. Alix Laurent, Co-CEO and Administrative Director, Anik Bissonnette's functions additionally include guiding and directing educational services in accordance with the School's mission and the mandate entrusted to it by its major financial partners. She is responsible for outreach and the international status of the School as well as partnerships with the entire dance community in Quebec, Canada and around the world.

"Anik Bissonnette's presence at the School coincides perfectly with our short, medium and long-term plans. We are convinced that she will pursue, with all of her characteristic energy and determination, previously implemented efforts to ensure the School continues its active participation in the development of professional dance training in Quebec according to the highest standards. Finally, the Board of Directors would like to warmly thank Mr. Alix Laurent for his involvement during this transition period as well as Ms. Françoise Vaussenat and Mr. Fabrice Maufrais who assumed interim artistic direction," concluded Marc Bélanger.

About the ESBCM

Founded in 1952 by Madame Ludmilla Chiriaeff, the Ecole supérieure de ballet contemporain de Montréal's (ESBCM) mission is to train professional dancers for the national and international level. The School is the only Quebec institution recognised and mandated by the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine (MCCCFQ) as well as by Heritage Canada in their "Classical Dance" program within the performing arts. Teaching methods are highly specialised and respond to international criterion for classical dance. The School offers complete, integrated dance - study training from 3rd grade through to college graduation with the collaboration of the École St-Joseph, the Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie and the CEGEP du Vieux Montréal. The ESBCM ensures that all of its students receive a solid scholarly education along with professional classical dance training.

For further information: Anik Bissonnette will be available for interviews and we invite you to contact the press officer: Marie Marais, [phone], [email protected]; Source: École supérieure de ballet contemporain de Montréal