Emeritus ballerina Anik Bissonnette, artistic director of the École supérieure de ballet du Québec, was honored by her peers on Tuesday for her career and her commitment to the dance world. She received the Outstanding Contribution award at the 2024 Montreal Dance Awards, during a ceremony at the Baryshnikov studio of the Compagnie Marie Chouinard.
“For me, it has been a mission to defend dance in all its facets. Dance has shaped the person I am now,” said in an interview the woman who was president of the Regroupement québécois de la danse (RQD) from 2004 to 2010. She was also a member of several boards of directors, notably the Prix of Montreal dance from 2011 to 2017.
She was the host of Tuesday's ceremony. “I had to contain my emotion. There were eight awards left to announce after receiving mine,” she said, saying she was “extremely touched, honored and grateful.”
“His influence is immense, thanks to his constant commitment and his remarkable achievements”, for their part judged the members of the board of directors of the Dance Awards in a press release.
Anik Bissonnette became a professional dancer at 17. In 1990, she took her place as principal dancer of the Grands Ballets Canadiens, from which she bowed out in 2009. She was also artistic director of the Saint-Sauveur Arts Festival and director of the company La La La Human Steps.
What she cherished most about her career was meeting people. “I discovered dancers from other cultures, around the world, who were doing the same thing as me. Sometimes we didn’t speak the same language, but by dancing together, we understood each other,” she testified.
At the École supérieure de ballet du Québec, Mme Bissonnette says he wants to convey to young dancers the importance of discipline, which will accompany them throughout their lives.
The Montreal Dance Awards, which have existed since 2011, annually highlight “the excellence of dance artists who have performed on Quebec stages”. Created by choreographer Marie Chouinard, they have the support of numerous partners, such as Quebecor, the City of Montreal, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Conseil des arts de Montréal, the Caisse Desjardins de la Culture and the RQD . Eleven prizes were awarded in total.
Mme Bissonnette has been the recipient of numerous distinctions during her career, including the Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec in 2021 and the Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 2014. But this new tribute is dear to her heart, since it comes from the dance artisans themselves.
“These awards prove that dance is a unifying environment, despite a situation that is not always rosy in culture. We are passionate,” she said.
The Grand Prize awarded to Faye Driscoll
Faye Driscoll is the winner of the Grand Prix de la danse de Montréal 2024. The choreographer of American origin was rewarded for her work entitled Weatheringwhich was presented at Usine C during the Festival TransAmériques last June. The Grand Prize comes with a $25,000 scholarship.
« Weathering is an experience as powerful as it is sublime which echoes the tragedies and hopes of the contemporary world”, justified the independent international jury through a press release.
The best performer award was given to Nindy Banks, who stands out in contemporary dance and street dance. Krump dancer Valérie “Taminator” Chartier was honored for best choreographic work, for her solo Thinpresented during LABdiff 2 at Tangente.
Vías, a collective founded by Diana León and Paco Ziel, was crowned Revelation of the Year. “Resonant with the artistic heritage of Quebec, their choreographic creations are characterized by sharing and collaboration, giving life to festive moments and celebrating their original culture with contagious energy in a spirit of inclusion,” explains the press release.
Johanne Dor, teacher and manager, for her part obtained the Fait à Québec prize, which highlighted “the significant impact of her career on dance in Quebec”.
