Medhi Walerski became Artistic Director of Ballet BC in 2020. Raised in France, Walerski danced at the Paris Opera Ballet and the Ballet du Rhin before joining Nederlands Dans Theater in 2001. For more than a decade he contributed to NDT’s famed innovative style, and was awarded the Dutch dance prize VSCD Zwaan in 2013. Walerski has created with and performed works by Jiří Kylián, William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, Paul Lightfoot and Sol Leon, Crystal Pite, Emio Greco, and Johan Inger, among others. Since his choreographic debut in 2008, he has created numerous acclaimed works for NDT and Ballet BC including Petite Cérémonie (2011), Chamber (2012), Garden (2016), SOON (2017), Silent Tides (2020), just BEFORE right AFTER (2022), Pieces of tomorrow (2024), as well as works for Goteborg Ballet, Bern Ballet, The Norwegian Ballet, StaatsBallett Hannover, Charlotte Ballet, K-Ballet Tokyo, and more.

Kiana Jung is a professional dancer from Vancouver, BC, who began her training at Arts Umbrella at age 9. Under the mentorship of Artemis Gordon, she completed the Professional and Graduate Program and showcased her talent in Ballet BC's production of *Romeo + Juliet* during the 2017/18 season. Since joining Ballet BC in 2019, Kiana has performed at esteemed festivals across North America and Europe, dancing works by renowned choreographers such as Sharon Eyal, William Forsythe, Johan Inger, Crystal Pite, and Medhi Walerski. Now entering her sixth season with Ballet BC, she remains passionate about exploring the limits of contemporary dance.

Michael Garcia was born in McAllen, Texas, and his early ambition and passion for dance led him to Dallas, where he finished his training at Dance Industry Performing Arts Center & Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. After High School, Michael was fortunate to receive his BFA from The Juilliard School, under the direction of Alicia Graf Mack. He has been recognized as National YoungArts Winner, and has travelled around the United States assisting industry choreographers through New York City Dance Alliance. Since graduation, he is grateful to have performed with Loni Landon Dance Projects at Jacob’s Pillow, been a company member with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago for their 44th season and is currently residing in Vancouver, entering his fourth year as a full-time company artist at Ballet BC.

Anders Hellström was born in Stockholm, where he received his professional education at The Royal Swedish Ballet School. His career began with an engagement at the Royal Swedish Ballet in 1980. He went on to serve as a Principal Dancer at The Hamburg Ballet from 1984 to 1993, before continuing his career with William Forsythe’s Ballet Frankfurt from 1993 to 1999.

From 1999 to 2002, Hellström held the position of Artistic Director of The Gothenburg Ballet, where he successfully elevated the company’s international and contemporary profile. Following this, he was appointed Artistic Director of the Nederlands Dans Theatre from 2004 to 2009, where he commissioned and introduced notable works by artists such as Crystal Pite, Marco Goecke, Wayne McGregor, William Forsythe, Alexander Ekman, and Medhi Walerski into the company’s repertoire.

After three years of international freelancing, Hellström returned to NDT in 2013 as Curator & Artistic Producer, a role he held until 2019, where he was scouting and continuously introducing new choreographers such as Peeping Tom, Hofesh Schechter, Sharon Eyal among others and also initiated, shaped and executed new collaboration with Ohad Naharin.

In addition to his leadership roles, Hellström has been a respected teacher and coach for the dancers of the companies he has directed. He has also been a regular guest teacher at prestigious institutions including the Royal Swedish Ballet, The Norwegian National Ballet, Berliner Staatsballett, the Finnish National Ballet, and Ballet National de Marseille. He has taught pre-professional students as a guest professor at Take Off Dance in Sevilla and Arts Umbrella in Vancouver. Furthermore, he has staged works by renowned choreographers such as Paul Lightfoot/Sol Leon and William Forsythe.

© Rahi Rezvani