June, 2005 - Nr. 6
KAREN KAIN, C.C., L.L.D., L.L.T., O.ONT.
Appointed Artistic Director Of The National Ballet Of Canada
Toronto, Ontario ... June 23, 2005 ... DAVID BANKS, Chair of the Board of Directors of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that KAREN KAIN has been appointed Artistic Director of the company effective July 1, 2005.
Ms. Kain replaces the highly acclaimed JAMES KUDELKA, who announced he would step down after nine years as Artistic Director to become Resident Choreographer on June 30, 2005.
The National Ballet of Canada, together with its Board of Directors, began the process of a strategic vision and plan for the company in 2004, which included succession planning for senior positions and the Artistic Director. As Artistic Associate since 2001 with the company, Karen Kain was identified as the logical successor to Artistic Director James Kudelka.
With a succession plan in place, the process to select a new Artistic Director became one of either verifying that Karen Kain was the best candidate at this time in the company’s history or commencing a traditional search process. Past Board Chair JAMES PITBLADO headed the selection committee. Its task was to undertake a very wide ranging consultation with stakeholders, dancers, musicians, donors, other key arts organizations and figures from the international ballet world. The committee’s mandate included the examination of Ms. Kain’s accomplishments as well as consideration of other candidates who might have been available against a list of key attributes the position requires. Over the past weeks more than 125 interviews nationally and internationally have been conducted to test the appropriateness of the selection of Karen Kain as Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada. The consensus. in favour of appointing Ms. Kain without a traditional search process was overwhelming.
"Karen Kain is one of this country’s most treasured and beloved artists. Throughout her distinguished career she has been an ambassador for the arts in Canada. She has been an active and valued member of the National Ballet’s senior staff since 1998 and worked closely with James Kudelka. I am confident that there is no one better suited to run this wonderful company at this pivotal point in our history than Karen Kain. With her stellar international reputation and unparalleled understanding of this great organization she will lead us brilliantly Into the next stage In the company’s history with the exciting move to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts," said Mr. Banks. "We are delighted that Karen can continue to work with James Kudelka. "
Few Canadian performers have combined a career of peerless artistry with such a far-reaching and generous presence beyond the stage as has Karen Kain. Admired during her years on stage for her singular and defining performances, she has also come to personify the ongoing commitment to furthering the life of the arts in Canada.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Karen Kain studied at the National Ballet School, joining The National Ballet of Canada in 1969. She was promoted to Principal Dancer in 1971 after her debut as the Swan Queen in Swan Lake. Winning the silver medal at the International Ballet Competition in Moscow in 1973 helped launch an extraordinary international career which saw her dance many of ballet’s greatest roles with some of the world’s finest ballet companies, and work with some of the most illustrious choreographers of our times. She retired from the stage in 1997 and became Artist in Residence at the National Ballet in 1998. She was appointed Artistic Associate in 2001.
Ms. Kain is a Companion of the Order of Canada and has received numerous prestigious awards both here and abroad for her artistic accomplishments and cultural work. She is the first Canadian to receive the Cartier Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2001 was named an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Government. In 2002 she was honoured with the Governor Generals’ Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Ms. Kain was appointed Chair of Canada Council for the Arts in September 2004 and she will continue in that role.
"I feel very privileged to continue my long and fruitful relationship with The National Ballet of Canada as Artistic Director, especially following what has been an extraordinary creative era under James Kudelka. James has been a wonderful mentor and 1 am ready to take on the challenge of leading this magnificent company on to its next stage. The National Ballet of Canada is one of the finest ballet companies in the world and has been part of my life since the age of 8. This is an exciting time of growth and opportunity for the company with our move to the spectacular Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in 2006. The breadth and depth of talent within this organization is inspiring and I look forward to working with the brilliant artists and dedicated staff in my new role," said Ms. Kain.
The National Ballet of Canada was formed in 1951 and has had the following Artistic Directors:
-
Celia Franca (founder) 1951 - 74
-
David Haber 1974 - 75
-
Celia Franca 1975 - 76
-
Alexander Grant 1976 - 83
-
Erik Bruhn 1983 - 86
-
Valerie Wilder and Lynn Wallis 1986 - 89
-
Reid Anderson 1989 - 1996
-
James Kudelka 1996 - 2005
-
Karen Kain 2005 -
Attached: Biography and Career Highlights of Karen Kain
