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.

Rupert Tookey held previous positions as Curator and Artistic Producer for the Nederlands Dans Theater, where he helped guide the company through several transitional phases including COVID 19, as well as Associate Artistic Director of Arts Umbrella Dance. Since 2022 he is Director of Artistic Operations at Ballet British Columbia dealing with inter/national touring and revenue generation at the company’s new home on Granville Island, and in October 2023 took on the role of Interim Managing Director. Upon retiring after a 15 year professional dance career, most notably with Nederlands Dans Theater, Tookey gained a Master’s degree in Arts and Cultural Management with a focus on leadership in dance. Tookey founded the Dancer’s Council (Netherlands) with the intention to support dancers in developing their voices to challenge outdated beliefs and processes still present within the artform today. The Dancer’s Council is generously supported by Omscholing Dansers Nederland and continues to support dancers in both the Netherlands and across Europe.