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, Ballet BC 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. This is Andrea’s fourth season with Ballet Victoria as a principal dancer.

Robb Beresford was born and raised in Elmira, Ontario. He trained at the National Ballet School and graduated from the Quinte Ballet School of Canada, as well as he trained at The Banff Centre. Robb danced professionally with Ballet Kelowna for one season before joining Ballet Victoria as a principal dancer. This is his third season with the company.

Tao Kerr began dancing at the age of five in Victoria, B.C. She graduated from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Professional School in 2008 and joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet as an apprentice for the 2008-2009 Season. Tao is dancing with the company for her second season.

David was born and grew up Kelowna, BC, and started dancing at the age of 6 at The Canadian School of Ballet. He trained with The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School’s Professional Division, and is a graduate from The Goh Ballet Academy. David dances with the Goh Ballet Company for the 2007-2008 year. It is his first season with BV.

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 fourth full season with Ballet Victoria. Geoff is a character dancer with the company.

Christie Wood grew up in Cobble Hill, B.C. and trained with Christine Richardson in Victoria and graduated from the Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver. Christie has been with the company for four seasons.

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 dancing with Ballet Victoria for the second season.

Amanda Radetzky was born in Edmonton, Alberta. She received her training from Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet Professional School and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Graduate Program. Amanda is enjoying her second season with Ballet Victoria.

Brichelle Brucker was born in Burnaby, B.C. She began her training at the age of 3 with Parksville Ballet School on Vancouver Island. At the age of 14 she moved away to train with the Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver. After graduating spending a year training with the Liaoning Ballet in Shenyang, China. She is joining Ballet Victoria this season.

Sandrine Cassini has graced the international stage for over a decade with some of the world's best companies: Bejart Ballet Lausanne, Manheim Ballet, the Paris Opera, Monte Carlo Ballet, Zurich Ballet, and in Canada, Ballet BC and Alberta Ballet as a principal dancer. She has danced many classical and contemporary lead roles by world-renowned choreographers to rave reviews and has choreographed several works in Europe and North America. She created a new work for Ballet Victoria last season and is looking forward to creating more works on the company.