Taking costume design to the top

Thanks to Andrea Brussa, the art of dance costume design and construction at The Banff Centre will reach new levels. The recently created Andrea Brussa Master Artist Endowment Fund will entice internationally respected master artists in dance wardrobe design to Banff.

Beginning in 2007, the new fund will be awarded annually to an esteemed artist who will join a team of industry professionals responsible for facilitating the Theatre Production, Design, and Stage Management programs. The master artist will work in the Wardrobe Technician program, inspiring the further development of emerging and established dance wardrobe professionals through training, master-classes, mentorship, and one-on-one coaching.

A milliner and costume designer and long-time Centre enthusiast, Andrea Brussa has a keen interest in theatre and costume design and construction. Brussa would like to see the Centre become a focal point for costume design both nationally and internationally and, in the future, would also like to see her fund help to establish a historical fashion and costume library.

Big Apple showcase

Banff Centre music alumni and faculty serenaded a who’s who of Manhattan society at a concert at the Americas Society in New York on October 24. Performers included the Jupiter String Quartet, winners of the 8th Banff International String Quartet Competition, along with the Centre’s director of Music, violinist/violist Barry Shiffman, jazz pianist/composer John Halle, and cellist Paul Katz.

“We are proud to be able to share with the New York public some of what The Banff Centre’s alumni are continually offering to audiences all over the world,” says Sebastian Zubieta, music director for the Americas Society.

Special guests in attendance included Pamela Wallin, former Canadian Consul General to New York; Ken Taylor, also a former New York Consul General and former ambassador to Iran; and U.S. Minister-Counsellor for Alberta Murray Smith.

Generous support from presenting sponsor Sidley Austin LLP and additional sponsors Keyspan and Qiviuk Boutique added to the evening’s success. The Americas Society is a national not-for-profit institution dedicated to educating U.S. citizens about their Western Hemisphere neighbours.

Viva Italia! Viva the arts

The 27th Banff Midsummer Ball – Viva Italia! – was a resounding success, raising more that $435,000 in support of artists’ scholarships at the Centre. Over 300 guests from across Alberta, Canada, and the United States took part in an Italian-flavoured weekend of events on July 28- 30. Festivities began with Friday night’s Italian market piazza reception, followed by Saturday recreational activities, the renowned Saturday evening Ball, and the traditional closing Sunday brunch.

Thanks to support from presenting sponsor Husky Energy, showcase performance sponsor RBC Capital Markets, and many other generous sponsors, scholarship funds raised at the Ball allow talented young artists from Canada and around the world to come to The Banff Centre to build and enhance their artistic and professional skills.

The 28th Banff Midsummer Ball takes place July 20 to 22, 2007.