Ballet Edmonton MOMENTUM Tour

Kirsten Wicklund (she/her) was born in British Columbia, Canada and trained at Pacific Dance Arts, Goh Ballet Academy, Modus Operandi Contemporary Training Program, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, The Banff Centre for the Performing Arts, and received scholarships to train at American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet & Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Kirsten has danced with The Washington Ballet Company, Ballet BC and Opera Ballet Vlaanderen. Between 2014 - 2021, Kirsten worked exclusively for the creation-based company Ballet BC (Canada) under the direction of Emily Molnar, CM and later Medhi Walerski. During this time, she danced and created original works by Lesley Telford, Medhi Walerski, William Forsythe, Emmanuel Gat, Wen Wei Wang, Cayetano Soto, Adi Salant, Aszure Barton, Company 605, Johan Inger, Serge Bennathan, Jorma Elo, Jacopo Godani, Walter Mateini, Emily Molnar, Crystal Pite, Ohad Naharin, Sharon Eyal and others.

Since 2021, Kirsten danced at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in Antwerp, Belgium, where she performed existing works by Pina Bausch, Sharon Eyal, Crystal Pite, William Forsythe, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Akram Khan and built original creations with Jan Martens, Richard Siegal & Ella Rothschild.

As an independent maker, Kirsten has choreographed works for Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, Ballet Edmonton, The Dutch National Ballet & Junior Company, The New York Choreographic Institute at New York City Ballet, Ballet BC’s “Take Form”, Ballet Kelowna, MOVE: the company and more. This is Kirsten’s inaugural season as Artistic Director with Ballet Edmonton. 

Anne Plamondon is a renowned Canadian choreographer and dancer known for her captivating and fluid movements. She launched her choreographic career in 2012 with "Les mêmes yeux que toi" and founded Anne Plamondon Productions in Montréal in 2018. Her notable works include "Mécaniques Nocturnes," "Seulement toi," and "Myokine" (2023). 
A key figure in RUBBERBAND (2002-2015), blending hip-hop and contemporary dance, and a performer with Kidd Pivot (2006-2015), she has worked with renowned choreographers and companies globally. Dedicated to dance education, Anne has taught across Canada and served as dance commissioner at Domaine Forget since 2018.  Anne is the recipient of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards mentorship program 2023 as protégée of Margie Gillis.

Emilie Leriche is a freelance performer and creator based between Göteborg, Sweden and Paris, France. From 2017-2021 she danced with GöteborgsOperans Danskompani under the artistic direction of Katrín Hall. Prior to her move to Sweden, Leriche danced four seasons with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, where in 2015 she was awarded a Princess Grace Foundation (USA) fellowship in dance. As a choreographer, she has created work on Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, Nederlands Dans Theater II as a part of Korzo and NDT’s Up & Coming Choreographers, and Whim W’Him in Seattle, USA. She has been a guest choreographer for Nuova X’s professional dance program and an Artist in Residence at Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City. In May of 2024, her latest creation, Property Identity Report, had its premiere with the tanzensemble of Theater St. Gallen.

As an independent artist, she has been part of several creative and performance teams, including Yoann Bourgeois’ collaboration with Patrick Watson, Ella Rothschild’s Milk Teeth for Kammerballetten, Kor’Sia’s Mont Ventoux, and most recently Imre & Marne Van Opstal’s Voodoo Waltz - a collaboration with the Schauspielhaus in Bochum, Germany.

Zach Frampton is a self-taught pianist and composer from Seabright, Nova Scotia. He began as a drummer before switching instruments, feeling the piano’s ability to express the entirety of human existence. He has recently collaborated on albums and film scores with Rafa Aslan, Ouri, and Pierre Mendola, and he has performed and recorded with No Cosmos, Simon Millerd, Mike Bjella, Pompey, Kyle Hutchins, and Ilam, among countless others. Zach is currently based in Montreal.

Gabrielle Barboux (she/her) was born in Paris, France. She began her dance journey at the Champs-Élysées theatre working alongside two Paris étoiles and international artists. Seeking new horizons, she moved to Sweden to study at the Royal Swedish Ballet School. After graduating, she joined Arts Umbrella in Vancouver, directed by Artemis Gordon. Gabrielle sees art as a powerful language that connects people. She believes in the importance of creativity, viewing it as the courage to explore new possibilities and challenge limits. Inside her journey, Gabrielle has had the opportunity to research and perform works by choreographers such as Crystal Pite, William Forsythe, Marco Goecke, Johan Inger, and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. In 2023, she joined Ballet BC Annex and is excited to begin her 2024/2025 season with Ballet Edmonton.

Originally from Lethbridge, AB, Chloe received her professional training at Alberta Ballet School. She graduated from the Alberta Ballet post-secondary program under the direction of Murray Kilgour in 2020. Chloe joined Ballet Edmonton in 2021 under the direction of Wen Wei Wang. While at Ballet Edmonton, she has had the pleasure to work with choreographers such as Andrea Peña, Ihsan Rustem, Shay Kuebler, Dorotea Saykaly, Gioconda Barbuto and Wen Wei Wang. Recently, Chloe had the privilege of working in New York City with choreographer Joshua Beamish, as he debuted his creation of ‘@giselle’. Chloe enjoyed re-visiting this same ballet that launched her professional career in 2019. Chloe is constantly striving to find ways to extend her artistic interest throughout the community and is passionate about sharing the love she has for dance with audiences near and far. 
 

Originally from Mexico. Paula started her professional training when she joined The National School of Classical and Contemporary Dance in Mexico City. At the age of 14, she was the recipient of a scholarship to further her education at the Victoria Academy of Ballet in Victoria, BC. Upon graduating, Paula joined Ballet Edmonton in 2019. She has had the opportunity to work with acclaimed choreographers such as Andrea Peña, Ihsan Rustem, Shay Kuebler, Dorotea Saykaly, Ethan Colangelo and Wen Wei Wang to name a few. While in rehearsal, Paula has always been interested in personal development through movement and how the physicality of different pieces affect the emotions and inner dialog that emerges. The work she has done since joining Ballet Edmonton has given her the freedom to find that emotional and physical range and is thrilled to keep exploring that side of her artistry.

Nevan Boyden (He/Him) was born in Vancouver, BC, where he trained in the Arts Umbrella Dance Program from the age of five. From 2016-2021, Nevan attended the Arts Umbrella Pre-Professional Training Program. During this time, he worked with artists such as Wen Wei Wang, Josh Martin and Eric Beauchesne. In 2021, Nevan was accepted into the Arts Umbrella Post Secondary Program, where he was invited to join the Ballet BC Annex program under the direction of Artemis Gordon and Medhi Walerski. Nevan has had the opportunity to perform works by choreographers such as Johan Inger, William Forsythe, Crystal Pite, Marco Goecke, Medhi Walerski, Dance Novella, and Rebecca Margolick among others. Nevan also loves to use creation as a tool for expression, which led to creating three works on fellow Arts Umbrella dancers as an emerging choreographer. Nevan is excited to be joining Ballet Edmonton for the 2024/2025 season.

Born in Newcastle NSW, Australia, Adrian began his training at Newcastle Ballet Theatre before moving to the Victoria Academy of Ballet in BC, Canada. Adrian completed his formal training through the Alonzo King LINES Ballet program before moving to Vancouver to pursue a career as a freelance artist. Adrian has worked with Vanessa Goodman’s Action at a Distance, Wen Wei Dance, Plastic Orchid Factory, Francesca Lettieri, Kinesis Dance, and Gioconda Barbuto. With support from the Canada Council for the Arts and Edmonton Arts Council, Adrian has researched and created dance-for-film works, including; ‘i know you know’, with Mika Manning and Madeleine Gilbert for VIDF in 2022 and ‘STALEMATE’, a dance-for-film work. Adrian joined Ballet Edmonton in 2021 and continues to pursue personal creations of photography, choreography and dance-for-film in his free time.
 

Originally from Tuscaloosa, AL, Fiona (she/her) began her dance training exploring a variety of dance styles. Fiona graduated Summa Cum Laude with her BFA in dance from Florida State University in 2021. Upon graduation, Fiona became a trainee with Grand Rapids Ballet where she had the pleasure of performing works by George Balanchine and Christopher Stowell, among others. Fiona further developed her artistic voice at summer programs, including Orsolina28, Chuthis, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Gaga Movement Language, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Alonzo King Lines Ballet. Most recently, Fiona was a company artist with Vitacca Ballet in Houston, TX from 2022-2024 where she collaborated in choreographic processes and performed works by Sean Aaron Carmon, Ethan Colangelo, Hélène Simoneau, Garrett Smith, and Robyn Mineko Williams. Fiona is thrilled to join Ballet Edmonton this season.

Raised in Vancouver, BC, Devon (she/her) received her training at Arts Umbrella and graduated from the post-secondary dance program under the direction of Artemis Gordon. Devon expanded on her foundational training in summer programs at The Royal Ballet School, Canada’s National Ballet School, and l’École supérieure de ballet du Québec. In 2022, she participated in the Ballet BC Annex Program, performing and teaching outreach workshops  throughout BC. She is a proud recipient of the BC Arts Council Scholarship and the McCall MacBain Cultural Leadership Award. Devon has had the opportunity to research and perform works by esteemed artists including Crystal Pite, Medhi Walerski, Marco Goecke, Sidi Larbi Cerkaoui, Shay Kuebler, Ihsan Rustem, Dorotea Saykaly, Ethan Colangelo, James Gregg, and Wen Wei Wang. Devon joined Ballet Edmonton in 2022 and is thrilled to continue exploring human connection through movement development.

Born in Mococa-SP, Brazil, Diego Ramalho’s beginning in dance was in Breakdance and Brazilian capoeira. In his teens, he was persuaded to enroll in formal ballet training at Kleine Szene in Santo André-SP, Brazil. In 2013, Diego was invited to be a member of Coastal City Ballet Company in Vancouver, BC, where he performed leading roles in full-length ballets such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Cinderella and Coppelia. Diego has been a guest artist in productions across Canada, USA and Brazil and has worked with creators such as Andrea Peña, Joshua Beamish, Shay Kuebler, Dorotea Saykaly, Ethan Colangelo, Kirsten Wicklund, to name a few. He joined Ballet Edmonton in 2018 and has been exploring his choreographic voice under the mentorship of Wen Wei Wang. His recent work “Valei-me” has been presented for audiences across Canada, including the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, as part of the company’s 2023 e-motion tour.

Ben was born in Burnaby, BC. He began tap dancing at age two, which led to him training and competing around BC in many styles of dance. At 16, Ben joined Arts Umbrella’s dance program under the direction of Artemis Gordon. He was an inaugural member of the Ballet BC Performance Project (2021/22) and then joined Ballet BC as an Emerging Artist for the following season under the direction of Medhi Walerski. Ben moved to Edmonton to join Ballet Edmonton as a company artist in 2023. He is also a musician, composer, and resident composer for Arts Umbrella. Ben has composed for Ballet BC, Ethan Colangelo, The National Ballet of Canada, and many more. 

Matthew Wyllie is a dancer and musician originally from Vancouver, BC. He graduated from Modus Operandi Contemporary Dance Program and continued to train and freelance in the Vancouver dance scene. Matthew began playing in bands, where he wrote music, recorded music, and toured nationally. As his dance career began to flourish he had to pause full time music to further pursue dance. Matthew has had the opportunity to dance professionally with Mascall Dance, Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY, Kinesis Dance, Mahaila Patterson-O’Brien, Vision Impure, Emmalena Fredriksson, Vancouver Opera, ADARTE Compagnia, Wen Wei Dance, and Ballet Edmonton. Through these opportunities, Matthew has performed across the country and internationally. In 2021, Matthew moved his home base to Edmonton, AB to join Ballet Edmonton. Matthew loves the creative process and is exploring his Choreographic voice. He finds it exciting and nerve-wracking as it requires risk and trust and can be full of surprises.