Artists

Paul became the Artistic Director of Ballet Victoria in September 2007, quickly elevating the company into a local and national cultural asset by presenting innovative and internationally-acclaimed works.

Paul brings to Ballet Victoria his extensive experience from a successful international dance career working with world-renowned artists over two decades. He joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1993 upon graduation from the School’s Professional Division, receiving the prestigious Prince Edward Award and the Arnold Spohr Scholarship. He was a principal dancer with Alberta Ballet for two seasons and with Oregon Ballet Theatre from 2003 until 2007.

He has created works, taught and coached for professional companies and schools including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Northwest Professional Dance Project, Ballet Kelowna and the Okanagan Summer Dance Intensive. Recent collaborations include Capriccio with Pacific Opera Victoria, and Royal Tea and Salute to Vienna with the Victoria Symphony.

Paul’s choreography focuses on ballet as an “Art of Light”—shaping light with movement to reflect musicality and trigger emotion. He has choreographed over twenty-five works and three full-length ballets, all of which have been performed to rave reviews in both Canada and the USA.

Andrea Bayne was born in Halifax, N.S. and grew up in Moncton. She is a graduate of the Alberta Ballet Professional School and also trained at the American Ballet Theatre School in NYC. Andrea has danced professionally with Alberta Ballet and The Banff Summer Company. “The most enticing part about ballet for me is the way in which it allows you to strive for perfection day after day, with the ultimate knowledge that you will always be able to push yourself even further as an artist.” This is Andrea’s third season with Ballet Victoria.

Robb Beresford was born and raised in Elmira,Ontario. He trained at the National Ballet School and the Quinte Ballet School of Canada, as well as The Banff Centre. In his spare time, Robb enjoys seeing movies. Robb is dancing his second season with Ballet Victoria.

Megan Cox was born in Calgary, Alberta, and trained at the School of Alberta Ballet. Prior to joining Ballet Victoria three seasons ago, she danced with Alberta Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and The Banff Centre. Megan is still waiting for the day when her cooking tastes as good as her mom’s.

Casey Dudley grew up in Calgary, Alberta, where she graduated from Alberta Ballet’s Pre-Professional Program. She is excited to join Ballet Victoria as an apprentice this season. Casey enjoys many things from cross-country skiing in the wilderness to shopping on the streets of New York.

Mahomi Endoh was born in Nara Japan andtrained at Mami Ballet Kyoto and the School of Alberta Ballet. She performed with Alberta Ballet, The Banff Centre and Northwest Ballet WA. This is her first season with Victoria Ballet. The happiest times of her life are when she is dancing with music and when she is playing with her doggy.

Ashleigh Forde was born in Perth, Western Australia. She began dancing at the Perth School of Ballet at the age of 3 and continued her studies later at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts. She was her state’s representative for the Lucia Saronova national ballet competition, where she received runner up. Most recently Ashleigh has been performing with Royal Caribbean Productions, as a dancer and specialty aerial artist. Ashleigh performed Firebird with Ballet Victoria and is happy to return to the stage.

Tao Kerr began dancing at the age of five inVictoria, B.C., trained at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School for four years and joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet as an apprentice for the 2008-2009 season. Tao adores anything to do with horses and living close to the ocean.

Su-Yin began her dance career as a highland dancer, winning the Western Canadian Championships and the Western US Championships, and ranked fifth in the Canadian Championships twice. She began ballet at the age of 12 and attended the National Ballet School, Arts Umbrella, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. As a Ballet Victoria company member since its inception in (what year did the company start?), she has performed such roles as Tiger Lily in Peter Pan and the Mock Turtle in Alice in Wonderland. Su-Yin has also performed in Peter and the Wolf, Stabat Mater, Court of Miracles, Inferno, Firebird and Cinderella. Currently in her third year of medical school, Su-Yin still performs regularly with Ballet Victoria.

Geoff Malcolm was born and raised in Victoria. He began his performing career at the age of thirteen, and since that time has discovered his passion for dance. This year marks Geoff’s third full season with Ballet Victoria. When not working at the barre, Geoff may be found tending bar.

Natsuki Murase was born in Aichi, Japan and began her training at the Yukari Ballet. She furthered her studies with the Toyota City Ballet Company and the School of Alberta Ballet. She has performed roles in Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and Le Corsaire. She is excited to be a part of Ballet Victoria this season.

Amanda Radetzky was born in Edmonton, Alberta. She received her training from Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Graduate Program. Aside from dance she is working towards a Bachelor of Science degree and hopes to one day attend medical school. Amanda is enjoying her first season with Ballet Victoria.

Misato Wakamatsu was born in Tokyo and began her training at the Fumiko Eguchi Ballet Group. She continued her studies in Edmonton with the Edmonton School of Ballet. This is her first season with Ballet Victoria.

Christie Wood grew up in Cobble Hill, B.C. and trained with Christine Richardson in Victoria and with Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver. Growing up riding horses and living on a farm developed her love of animals and the outdoors. Christie also enjoys making earrings and other creative projects.