Newmarket native and acclaimed choreographer James Kudelka will be inducted into the 2020 Dance Collection Danse (DCD) Hall of Fame next month.
Acknowledged as one of today’s most versatile and innovative dance artists, Kudelka has choreographed for many of the world’s leading ballet companies and contemporary groups.
His creative range reflects his eclectic musical interests, command of diverse movement idioms, and commitment to working collaboratively with artists from other disciplines, according to the DCD Hall of Fame.
“James Kudelka is truly a national treasure. His versatile career is an outstanding testament to the calibre of dance here in Canada. His impact on our dance legacy cannot be understated,” DCD executive and curatorial director Amy Bowring said in a news release.
Kudelka began to choreograph as a student at the National Ballet School in Toronto. From 1972 until 1981, he was a dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, while continuing to hone his choreographic skills, according to ArtsAlive.ca.
Kudelka left Toronto to join Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in Montreal as a principal dancer and the company's resident choreographer. He returned to the National Ballet of Canada in the early 1990s as artist-in-residence. In 1996, he was appointed the company's artistic director. In 2005, Kudelka announced his resignation as artistic director and now works as the company's resident choreographer.
He is the recipient of numerous awards, including two Jean A. Chalmers Awards (1973 and 1993) and two Dora Mavor Moore Awards (1995 and 1996).
Kudelka has choreographed his own versions of the classics such as Swan Lake (1999), as well as original full-length story ballets such as The Contract (2002) and An Italian Straw Hat (2005).
Since its launch in 2018, the DCD Hall of Fame has been a testament to the importance of recognizing Canada’s dance artistry.
Hosted by singer/songwriter Micah Barnes, the induction ceremony at the Globe and Mail Centre Sunday, March 29 from 4 to 8 p.m. will feature live performances by companies and dance makers from Toronto.
For more information or to order tickets, $175, visit: dcdhalloffame.com.
