During a 75-minute intimate, up-close encounter, attendees witnessed the creation of a powerful, lyrical, and athletic ballet pas de deux inspired by the world premiere of What Angels See, a new composition by Professor James Wright for piano and cello.
Hailed as one of the most outstanding Canadian choreographers and Artistic Directors of his generation, Jean Grande-Maitre marked his return to Ottawa with The Art of Creating the Pas de Deux, an event that fused visual art, music, and ballet choreography.
Raphael Weinroth-Browne, an internationally renowned Canadian cellist and composer, performed the composition alongside Wright.
John Grand-Maitre, after hearing the new score for the very first time, created an entire duet to the never-before-heard score with special guest artists Rachele Buriassi and Esnel Ramos, who are both principal dancers with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens.
“Watching expert, world-class dancers creating an athletic and emotional dance in an intimate space up close is a thrill, and those who experience it will never forget it,” says Grande-Maitre.
The event united five established artists, who instantly bonded and focused to produce a finished work of art in record time.
The event served as a fundraiser for The School of Dance. In addition to their pre-Professional division, their programmes touch the lives of over 70,000 Ontarians with their Charitable Community Programmes and Projects, including DragonFly® for learners with Down syndrome, Boys Only! Classes, Connecting with Dance for people with Parkinson’s, and DanceONTour®, school visits designed to inspire interest in the arts.