For 55 years, the summer dance program at The Banff Centre has been one of the top training programs for young dancers in North America. Since its inception, the program has gained a distinguished reputation for its world-class faculty, and the artistic vision they bring to the art of training young dancers. The Banff Centre’s commitment to the success of this program continues in 2002, with the appointment of Annette av Paul as the new director and David LaHay as associate director. Annette av Paul first performed at The Banff Centre in 1964, and has been associated with the program as faculty since 1980; David LaHay has been on faculty since 1993.

Annette av Paul

David LaHay

Annette av Paul first performed at The Banff Centre in 1964, returning since to mount several ballets created and directed by Brian Macdonald. She has been principal ballerina with the Royal Swedish Ballet, the Harkness Ballet of New York, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and

Brian Macdonald

 les Grands Ballets Canadiens. In 1985, she became founding artistic director of Ballet British Columbia, and worked with the company for three seasons. Av Paul is frequently active as a teacher, coach, and adjudicator, both across Canada and abroad. She has served as a guest teacher with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet; the National Ballet of Canada and its school; the Royal Swedish Ballet and its school; the Gothenburg Ballet (Sweden); Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal; and Dance Alberta (Edmonton). For the last two years, av Paul has been the pedagogical consultant and teacher for l’Ecole Supérieure de Danse du Québec.

David LaHay has been a member of the dance faculty at The Banff Centre since 1993. He danced professionally with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens (1973-87), where he was principal dancer for nine years. He was a guest artist with the Royal Swedish Ballet, Alberta Ballet, and the Cuban International Dance Festival. LaHay has been assistant ballet master for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and ballet master for Ottawa Ballet and Alberta Ballet, as well as guest ballet master for the Gothenburg Ballet. He has been a guest teacher for Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal and the Hartford Ballet, as well as for l’Ecole Supérieure de Danse du Québec and the Chautauqua Summer Dance School. From 1989-1991, LaHay choreographed the Canadian Heritage Festival.

Brian Macdonald, OC, was artistic director for the summer dance program from 1982-2001. His association with The Banff Centre dates back to 1960 as a faculty member. An original member of the National Ballet of Canada, he has been artistic director of the Royal Swedish Ballet; the Harkness Ballet of New York; the Batsheva Company of Israel; and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. Internationally renowned as a choreographer and director of ballet, opera, and musical theatre, he has also directed productions for the Stratford Festival. Since 1987, Macdonald has mounted new productions for distinguished festivals, ballets, and opera companies around the world. Macdonald was awarded the Order of Canada in 1967; the Canada Council Molson Award in 1983; the Canada Dance Award in 1988; and the Banff Centre for the Arts National Award in 1988. In 2001, he was awarded the Inaugural Walter Carsen Prize for his lifetime contribution to the arts in Canada.

Photos of av Paul, LaHay, and Macdonald are available upon request.[/communications/common/media_contacts_mediarelations_and_arts.htm]