Montreal, November 19, 2024 — Today, LES PRIX DE LA DANSE DE MONTRÉAL (PDM) announced the award winners of the 2023-2024 artistic season. Under the honorary presidency of exceptional choreographer, dancer, and educator, Lucie Boissinot, the ceremony was held in the Baryshnikov Studio at Espace Marie Chouinard and was attended by artists and numerous personalities from the dance community. The event was hosted by Anik Bissonnette, artistic director of l’École supérieure de ballet du Québec. At this 14th edition of the PRIX, a total of 11 awards were presented.
FAYE DRISCOLL
GRAND PRIX de la danse de Montréal 2024,
presented by Québecor and the City of Montreal
NINDY BANKS
Prix de la danse de Montréal 2024, INTERPRÈTE category,
presented by the Regroupement québécois de la danse (RQD) and Caisse Desjardins de la Culture
VALÉRIE CHARTIER for her work, Thin
The 2024 Prix de la meilleure œuvre chorégraphique au Québec,
presented by the Conseil des arts et des lettres du QuébecARIANE BOULET
Prix ÉTINCELLE 2024,
presented by PPS Danse and Bernard LagacéAMRITA CHOUDHURY
Prix ENVOL 2024,
presented by the Conseil des arts de Montréal
VÍAS (Diana León and Paco Ziel)
Prix de la danse de Montréal 2024, RÉVÉLATION category,presented by Agora de la danse and Tangente
ADRIEN BUSSY
Prix de la danse de Montréal 2024, GESTIONNAIRE CULTUREL·LE category,
presented by Diagramme – gestion culturelle
SOPHIE MICHAUD
The Prix ETHEL-BRUNEAU 2024,
presented by Danse DanseANIK BISSONNETTE
Prix de la danse de Montréal 2024, CONTRIBUTION EXCEPTIONNELLE category,
presented by Les Prix de la danse de Montréal
JOHANNE DOR
Prix de la danse de Montréal 2024, FAIT À QUÉBEC category,
presented by the Grand Théâtre de Québec and Groupe Danse Partout
The 2024 GRAND PRIX de la danse de Montréal, presented by Québecor and the City of Montreal – $25,000
Valérie Beaulieu, director of cultural services at the City of Montreal, and Jad Barsoum Vice-President, Corporate Affairs at Québecor, presented this prestigious award, accompanied by a $25,000 grant, to American choreographer Faye Driscoll for her work, Weathering. The selection of the Grand Prize was entrusted to an independent international jury who enthusiastically praised the work, presented at Usine C as part of this year’s Festival TransAmériques (FTA).
Winner of numerous awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, Faye Driscoll is a unique voice known for her bold approach, confronting us with the limits of human interaction and highlighting the loneliness and desperate need for human contact in this era of technological domination and hyper-connectivity. Weathering is a sublime, epic performance experience that echoes the catastrophes and hopes of today’s world.
Describing this work as “a requiem for the body in the world,” she reminds us that dance reflects the diversity of bodies – simple, natural ones – and invites us to rediscover our common humanity.
The Prix de la danse de Montréal 2024, INTERPRÈTE category, presented by the Regroupement québécois de la danse (RQD) and Caisse Desjardins de la Culture – $10,000
The 2024 Prix de la danse de Montréal in the INTERPRÈTE category, offered by the Regroupement québécois de la danse and Caisse Desjardins de la Culture, was awarded to dancer Nindy Banks, accompanied by a $10,000 grant. The award was presented by Parise Mongrain, the new general manager of the Regroupement québécois de la danse, and Marie-Christine Cojocaru, general manager of Caisse Desjardins de la Culture.
Members of the jury were captivated by Nindy Banks’s impressive presence and virtuosity on the contemporary and street dance scenes. Fully committed as a performer, she does justice to the creative visions of choreographers by her faithful interpretation of their works, as in Hélène Simard’s Papillon and Alexandra “Spicey” Landé’s La probabilité du néant. Each of her movements reaffirms Nindy’s consummate skill in keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
The 2024 Prix de la meilleure œuvre chorégraphique au Québec of the 2023-2024 artistic season – $10,000
Valérie “Taminator” Chartier is the recipient of this award, offered by the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ), for her work, Thin. The award was presented to her by Priscille Gendron, Director of Support for Creation and Production Organizations. Thin was showcased as part of Lab-Diff 2 at Tangente.
The CALQ jury highlighted the relevance of the theme of anorexia nervosa, approached with rare depth in the solo, Thin. Valérie “Taminator” Chartier has established herself as a leader in the Krump movement. With Krump as a choreographic language, she evokes the physical and mental battle she waged for years. Thin resonates with spectators, creating a lasting impression. The fusion of hip-hop and contemporary movements in this piece brings a new dimension to Quebec dance.
The Prix ÉTINCELLE 2024, presented by PPS Danse and Bernard Lagacé – $5000
The Prix ÉTINCELLE, presented by PPS Danse and Bernard Lagacé and created two years ago, was awarded to Ariane Boulet, choreographer, performer and event producer.
The committee unanimously chose the winner of the Prix Étincelle 2024 for her approach combining humanism, generosity, commitment, and integrity. For the past 15 years, Ariane Boulet’s career as a performer and creator has included stage, film, in situ, and performative works.
In 2012, she co-founded Je suis Julio, renamed Le Radeau in 2021, a space for co-creation that fosters the emergence of new works in an exchange with various communities. In her project Mouvement de passage, since 2014, Ariane has led dancing visits to residents of CHSLD and RPA institutions, a sensitive way of reaching people with diminishing autonomy. This initiative has expanded to the Laurentian, Côte-Nord, Mauricie, and Lanaudière regions, where local artists are trained to continue the project.
The Prix ENVOL 2024, presented by the Conseil des arts de Montréal – $10,000
The Prix ENVOL, awarded by an independent jury and accompanied by a $10,000 cash prize, was presented to Amrita Choudhury by Hugo Couturier, Communications and Partnerships Director of the Conseil des arts de Montréal.
The jury wishes to highlight Amrita Choudhury’s achievements as a performer, choreographer, and teacher. Known for works that bring people together and for her commitment to community, she has formed lasting relationships with diverse cultural groups and artists. For 35 years now, she has remained faithful to her Indian origins, passing on ancestral artistic wisdom in a practice that imparts empathy, humility, and openness to dialogue. Respect for Mother Earth, territory, and the principle of interdependence are at the heart of her approach.
Amrita’s recent creation, Shakti Renaît – Honorer nos histoires, a collaboration with artist Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo of Kahnawake, illustrates the importance of her work and her commitment to the decolonization and democratization of dance.
The Prix de la danse de Montréal 2024, catégorie RÉVÉLATION, presented by Agora de la danse and Tangente – $5000
The 2024 Prix de la danse de Montréal, REVELATION category, offered by Agora de la danse and Tangente, was awarded to Vías, a collective founded by artists Diana Léon and Paco Ziel. The award was presented by Francine Bernier, executive and artistic director of Agora de la danse, and Julie Deschênes, acting executive director and production manager at Tangente. This award includes a $5000 cash prize, along with a one-week creation residency at Agora.
The artistic symbiosis of Diana León and Paco Ziel in Vías transcends the uniqueness of their respective practices. Reflecting Quebec’s artistic heritage, their choreographic creations are characterized by sharing and collaboration, giving life to festive moments that celebrate the artists’ cultures of origin with infectious energy in a spirit of inclusiveness.
The distinctive strength of Vías lies in the ingenious interweaving of the present-day and the ancestral in works such as Flesh and Sound, which was created in residency at Agora de la danse, premiered at MAI, and was in the official selection of Parcours Danse, and Sabor de mi corazón: Cumbia, presented by and at La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines in collaboration with Orange Noyée.
The Prix de la danse de Montréal 2024, catégorie GESTIONNAIRE CULTUREL·LE, presented by Diagramme – gestion culturelle – $5000
The 2024 Prix de la danse de Montréal in the GESTIONNAIRE·S CULTUREL·LE·S category, offered by Diagramme – gestion culturelle and accompanied by a $5000 cash prize, was presented to Adrien Bussy by Johanne Madore of Diagramme’s board of directors.
In presenting this award to Adrien Bussy, the co-general manager and director of development at José Navas/Compagnie Flak, the board of directors of Diagramme wished to recognize his exceptional role in advancing the evolution of the company. Adrien has steadfastly accompanied José Navas, while managing the organization rigorously and responsibly. His leadership was particularly crucial during the pandemic.
His commitment to young people and his tireless work in promoting the vital role of development agents attest to his generosity and vision for the dance community. Finally, the jury called attention to Adrien’s remarkable contribution to increasing the visibility and impact of Quebec dance here and abroad.
The Prix Ethel-Bruneau 2024, presented by Danse Danse – $5000
The 2024 Ethel-Bruneau Prize, accompanied by a $5,000 grant, was awarded to Sophie Michaud and presented by Pierre Des Marais, executive and artistic director of Danse Danse, the sole partner of this prize due to the withdrawal of MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels) after four years for budgetary reasons.
The jury salutes the exceptional career of Sophie Michaud, who has worked as rehearsal director for acclaimed companies and choreographers. Her discreet but crucial role has helped bring to maturity high-quality, coherent works. Thanks to her clear vision, empathetic support, and ability to guide choreographers and performers with intelligence and sensitivity, her work has not only enriched the artistic scene, but has also encouraged a new generation of artists to flourish.
Sophie Michaud has also distinguished herself by her remarkable work documenting the fundamental, demanding role of rehearsal director in the choreographic creation process.
The Prix de la danse de Montréal 2024, CONTRIBUTION EXCEPTIONNELLE category, offered by the board of directors of the Prix de la danse de Montréal
Christel Durand, secretary of the board of directors of the PRIX DE LA DANSE, presented this award to Anik Bissonnette, ballerina emeritus and artistic director of l’École supérieure de ballet du Québec.
The members of the board of directors of the Prix de la danse de Montréal celebrate the exemplary career of Anik Bissonnette, both as an exceptional dancer and as an astute and congenial manager, highlighting her commitment as part of the first board of directors of Les Prix de la danse and as president of the Regroupement québécois de la danse (RQD), among her other accomplishments.
A dance icon in Quebec and internationally, Anik had a brilliant career as principal dancer with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. Her influence is immense thanks to her unwavering determination and outstanding achievements. Her talent and dedication have been acknowledged by numerous awards and distinctions, evidence of her lasting impact on the artistic community.
The Prix de la danse de Montréal 2024, DIFFUSION INTERNATIONALE category, presented by CINARS – $5000
CINARS is pleased to present the Prix de la danse 2024, Diffusion Internationale category, to the artist who has excelled abroad by the high quality and rich content of his/her tours.
Gilles Doré, executive director of CINARS, awarded a $5000 grant to Dana Michel for her exceptional tour that took place from July 3, 2023, to June 2, 2024, and comprised the works Mike (2023), Yellow Towell (2013), and Cutlass Spring (2019), presented in 34 performances in 12 countries.
Awarded at ImPulsTanz, winner of a Silver Lion at the Venice Biennale and the International Prize for Live Art at the ANTI Festival in Finland, Dana Michel has continued her exceptional career path, touring with three emblematic works that were presented in alternating performances in 12 countries for 15 presenters during the year. Developing new territories and venues for dance, notably in Japan and Spain, Dana garnered rave reviews and impressive media coverage, as well as a number of proposals for co-production and residency projects.
Le Prix FAIT À QUÉBEC 2024, offered by the Grand Théâtre de Québec and Groupe Danse Partout – $5000
Johanne Dor, teacher and manager, received the FAIT À QUÉBEC award, which comes with a $5000 cash prize, from Steve Huot, general director of Danse Partout and a board member of the Grand Théâtre de Québec. This prize, created last year, is presented for the second time.
A remarkable woman and an outstanding teacher, Johanne Dor wins this award for lifetime achievement in recognition of the significant impact of her career on dance in Quebec City. In 1989, she joined Groupe Danse Partout, where she held various key positions until 1996.
Johanne then became manager of La Rotonde, a cornerstone of creation and dissemination in the city, a position she held until 2007, when she began teaching at L’École de danse de Québec. The high standards, passion, curiosity, and wisdom of this trailblazer continue to inspire and guide younger generations, thus contributing to the impetus of dance “made in Quebec City.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Learn more about the different juries for the Prix de la danse de Montréal.
Learn more about previous winners.
LES PDM
Established in 2011 by choreographer Marie Chouinard, the PRIX DE LA DANSE DE MONTRÉAL, now in its 14th edition, celebrates the excellence of dance artists who have performed on Quebec stages during the 2023-2024 season. The PRIX DE LA DANSE also salutes the managers and other individuals who contribute to the visibility of the discipline.
Finally, the awards aim to reaffirm Montreal’s dynamism as a capital of dance, and its international impact. To carry out this mission, Marie Chouinard, chair of the PDM board of directors, is joined by prominent figures from the dance community who sit on the board. Christel Durand, founder, executive and artistic director of the FIKA(S) Festival, is secretary; Yves Rocray, executive director of l’École de danse contemporaine de Montréal, is treasurer; the four other directors are Marie-Christine Cojocaru, general manager of Caisse Desjardins de la Culture; Pierre Des Marais, executive and artistic director of Danse Danse; Sylviane Martineau, cultural worker; and 7Starr, dancer and co-founder of the Montreal Krump Alliance.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We extend our sincere thanks to the Conseil des arts de Montréal, Caisse Desjardins de la Culture, the City of Montreal, and Compagnie Marie Chouinard for making this event possible.
LES PRIX DE LA DANSE DE MONTRÉAL 2024 wishes to warmly thank its partners for their generous collaboration: Québecor, the City of Montreal, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Conseil des arts de Montréal, Caisse Desjardins de la Culture, the Regroupement québécois de la danse, Agora de la danse, Tangente, Diagramme – gestion culturelle, Danse Danse, CINARS, PPS Danse, Groupe Danse Partout, and the Grand Théâtre de Québec. In addition we thank the following presenters, in Montreal: Agora de la danse, Festival TransAmériques, Montréal, arts interculturels (MAI), Tangente, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines, Danse Danse, Studio 303, Usine C, OFFTA, Festival Quartiers Danses, Place des Arts, and Danse-Cité; and in Québec City, the Maison pour la danse and the Grand Théâtre de Québec.
Source
Prix de la danse de Montréal
Claire Jeannot
438 827-9206 | [email protected]Media
Sheila Skaiem
514 572-8687 | [email protected]
