Jean-Yves Esquerre has been named the 2010 recipient of the Arnold Spohr Distinguished Guest Artist Endowment for Dance. He will join The Banff Centre’s Professional Dance program from June 28 to July 10, 2010, as a distinguished guest faculty.
Named in honour of legendary dancer and former artistic director Arnold Spohr, this endowment enables the Centre to bring internationally renowned dance artists and teachers to The Banff Centre as instructors in the Centre’s Professional Dance Program.
This year’s recipient, Esquerre, has worked as ballet master and teacher for the English National Ballet and School, Le Centre International de Danse de Cannes, San Francisco Ballet School, Boston Ballet and School, Steps on Broadway, Le Cirque du Soleil, Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal, Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet School, to name a few. He also served as a juror/chairman in several international ballet competitions, including three years at the Prix de Lausanne. He was awarded France’s Prix Marquis de Cuevas for his contribution to the dance community.
Between 2007 and 2010, Esquerre served San Francisco Ballet as company teacher, school faculty member, and trainee program supervisor. He developed a teacher training program, led improvisation and choreography workshops, and offered community outreach programs. Under his tutelage, trainees graduated to join major dance companies around the world. In 2008, he was appointed assistant to the artistic director for San Francisco Ballet’s 75th anniversary season.
