Andrew Giday was selected by a jury of Canada’s most eminent dance professionals to receive the 2003 Clifford E. Lee Choreographer Award earlier this year. This prestigious and unique award has enabled Giday to come to Banff for a six-week intensive investigation of his craft, allowing him the unprecedented opportunity to collaborate with an invigorating company of young dancers, in the creation of a new dance work – Maelstrom.

"Maelstrom explores nature’s fury as a violent storm that is unleashed. It also explores the storms raging within ourselves," says Giday. Maelstrom will receive its premiere as part of the 2003 Banff Summer Arts Festival.

Giday’s past works include pieces for Ballet Jörgen Canada and for Le Jeune Ballet du Québec. In 2001, his dance commission Blue had its debut at Ballet Builders Showcase in New York City. Mr. Giday has danced with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens (1986-1994), Toronto Dance Theatre, William Douglas Danse, and Ballet British Columbia. Since 2002, he has been a regular performer with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens.

Established in 1978 by the Clifford E. Lee Foundation, the Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award has supported and encouraged generations of Canadian choreographers and dancers. Past recipients have included Benjamin Hatcher, Christopher House, Crystal Pite, Mark Godden, and Bengt Jörgen.

Banff Summer Arts Festival audiences will also be treated to the revival of one of the treasures in the Canadian dance canon, Breaks. This unique work, created by Brian Macdonald, one of Canada’s most celebrated artists, juxtaposes traditional baroque music and new 20^th Century music to explore the values of both. Macdonald has set his ballet to music by Mozart with variations by Harry Freedmen, one of Canada’s most frequently performed composers. The Banff Centre is honoured to host Harry Freedmen in Banff for the production week of Festival Dance. While in residence, Mr. Freedmen will participate in dance rehearsals, music coaching, and an opening night pre-show chat.

Born in Poland in 1922, Harry Freedman has been responsible for 175 compositions, including three symphonies, nine ballets, two hour-long stage works, as well as various works for orchestra, choir, chamber groups, and much incidental music for stage, television and film.

Festival Dance runs July 16-19, 2003 in the Eric Harvie Theatre at The Banff Centre.

For more information about the Festival Dance program visit http://www.banffcentre.ca/bsaf/series/dance/

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