SEASON

Rachel Browne

Choreography and Founder of Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers

Rachel Browne was born Ray Minkoff to Russian-Jewish immigrants in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Her life’s journey as a dance artist began with ballet lessons as a child. After graduating from high school, she moved to New York City to study ballet and expand her horizons. She trained with eminent teachers including Robert Joffrey, Edward Caton and Benjamin Harkarvy, who became her mentor and dear friend. When Harkarvy accepted the position of Artistic Director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) in 1957, Rachel accompanied him to Winnipeg. She was a soloist with the RWB until 1961, when she left to start her family.

Rachel’s passion for choreography and performance led her to pursue contemporary dance and found WCD, Canada’s oldest and longest running contemporary dance company. Rachel lived a life dedicated to her art and she continued to work in studio and choreograph right up until her passing in 2012.

As a choreographer, Rachel’s work was featured by WCD as well as in her own independent projects, at festivals, schools and other performance series. Rachel created a tremendous body of work, including many celebrated works such as Mouvement, My Romance, KJ4, Sunstorm, Edgelit, and Toward Light.

Rachel served as WCD’s Artistic Director, resident choreographer and teacher for over 20 years. Her work was instrumental in the development of contemporary dance in Canada, and by 1970 had brought Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers to national recognition.

During her tenure as Artistic Director at WCD, Rachel commissioned and performed works by well-known American choreographers and became an important commissioner of new Canadian choreographers.

As components of WCD’s operations, Rachel also founded the Apprentice Program of Contemporary Dancers, which operated as part of WCD from 1972-1981; and the School of Contemporary Dancers (also founded in 1972), which operated as part of WCD until 1995. Rachel’s contributions were significant and her achievements and vision continue to have an incredible impact.

Rachel’s introduction of contemporary dance to our city, not only supported her own artistic work, but also had tremendous positive influences for others. Her alternative approaches incorporated distinctly individual visions, relevant contemporary concerns, research and experimentation.

The critical mass of Rachel Browne’s influence is significant: dancers, choreographers, companies, festivals, designers, movements, initiatives, crew, technicians, patrons and interdisciplinary researchers have all been sparked and enriched within Winnipeg because of Rachel Browne and her founding of WCD.

Rachel single-handedly carved out a place for professional contemporary dance in Winnipeg that broke free from restrictive ballet traditions and expanded a world-wide dance revolution that demanded meaningful change. This change included progressive and contemporary thinkers and featured bold and courageous artists who were willing to be vocal in their democratic views and create outside of the performative norms.

Rachel’s outstanding achievements earned numerous accolades and awards. Rachel became a Member of the Order of Canada in 1997 in recognition of the significance of her leadership in establishing and developing modern dance across Canada. She was awarded the 1995 Jean A. Chalmers National Dance Award for Creativity in Dance, the 2000 Canada Council Jacqueline Lemieux Prize and the 2001 Manitoba Arts Council Great-West Life Lifetime Achievement Award.

Rachel’s biography, “Dancing Toward the Light”, by Carol Anderson, was published in 1999 and the documentary, “A Good Madness: The Dance of Rachel Browne,” by filmmaker Danielle Sturk was released in 2014.

Rachel’s influence also reaches further than contemporary dance. In Rachel’s honor, Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers renamed its performing/rental venue The Rachel Browne Theatre in 2008. WCD’s beloved Rachel Browne Theatre continues to serves as an invaluable practice, creation, production and presentation space for WCD, as well as for a plethora of local artists, independent projects, small to mid-scale organizations, festivals, community groups and various other unique cultural entities within Winnipeg.

Photo: Boris Minkevich

Jolene Bailie

Artistic Director

Jolene Bailie is a choreographer, director and producer of contemporary dance. Her work reflects on humanness, soul and self-discovery to express a deeply human experience that is honest, complex and thorough.

Producing shows annually since 2000, Bailie has created 14 full-length works, 30+ shorter works and toured her work to national and international critical acclaim. Her work has been presented on over 500 occasions and in various venues locally, nationally, internationally and online – including theatres, museums, art galleries, outdoors, festivals, site specific, and for video.

Appointed Artistic Director of WCD fall 2019, works performed by WCD since appointment include: signals to segue, retuning, in between here and now, Covid Sonata, Modulations, The Space In Between, Last Schema, Anthem, Body & Light, and An Aspect of Alterity. Full evenings of Bailie’s choreography has also been presented for Game On, Everything’s Coming Up Roses, Flight Paths, Calibrations of Flux, Up Close and disDANCING and Reconnect for WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative and online.

Bailie holds a Masters of Fine Art in Dance through The American Dance Festival/Hollins University, where she focused on choreography, receiving fellowships for three consecutive years and presenting   her thesis performance at The American Dance Festival. Bailie is also the Founding Artistic Director of Gearshifting Performance Works, a company that successfully operated for 19 years, producing full seasons of programming, national and international tours, and premiering over 30 original works.

Bailie’s career began with over a decade of touring solo performance; highlights include performing and touring with works by Jose Limon, Anna Sokolow, Marie-Josee Chartier, Joe Laughlin, Denise Clarke, Deborah Dunn, Marc Boivin, Bill Evans, Rachel Browne and her own self-created solos. As a dancer, she also danced with Ruth Cansfield Dance, Trip Dance Company, the Bill Evans Dance Company as well as for independent choreographers.

As an emerging dancer Bailie earned a Teacher’s Certificate with Distinction from The Royal Academy of Dance and a Bachelor of Arts Honors degree with the Gold Medal Award for Academic Excellence from The University of Winnipeg. Bailie trained at institutions, intensives and with Master Teachers all over North America. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Bailie is also a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers.

Photo: Kristen Sawatsky

Kristin Haight

Rehearsal Director

Kristin danced in many of Rachel’s original works including Willow Island, Sunstorm, Flowering (original trio version), the solos Variations On Serenity (Part II), Radiance, as well as in remounts of Mouvement and KJ4. Rachel appointed Kristin as her archivist in 2006, assisting her in organizing, cataloguing, reformatting, and disseminating Rachel’s numerous works across Canada

She also served as Rehearsal Director for several of Rachel’s remounts on the School of Contemporary Dancers (SCD) throughout the years, as well as the School of Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre (Toronto), Victoria School of Contemporary Dance (BC), and WCD for the 2013 Tribute Tour. Kristin was a key collaborator, Rehearsal Director, and featured dancer in the film A Good Madness, The Dance of Rachel Browne, by Danielle Sturk.

As a dancer, Kristin worked independently with WCD, and as company member (2008-2013), dancing in works by Serge Bennathan, Rachel Browne, Lesandra Dodson, Sasha Ivanochko, Brent Lott, Roger Sinha, amongst others. As an independent dancer, she worked for various Canadian choreographers, including NAfro Dance, Ruth Cansfield Dance, TRIP Dance Company, and Gaile Petursson- Hiley. These experiences took her across Canada and abroad.

Kristin’s dance training began at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, continuing at SCD Senior Professional Program (Class of 2000), where she received a BA Honours in Dance through the University of Winnipeg, with a Gold Medal Award for Academic Excellence. During her dance career, Kristin was also a Guest Teacher, Rehearsal Director, Stage Manager, and Assistant Stage Manager for the Senior Professional Program of SCD as well as WCD.

Since her departure from dance in 2014, Kristin’s love of movement evolved into the fitness industry, starting her own business – Fluid Muscle Performance & Movement, where she assisted hundreds of individuals in their health pursuits for almost a decade as a personal trainer. She also had notable success with Local (Provincial Champion 2018), National, and International competitions in bodybuilding, collecting multiple 1st place wins. She qualified and was the only woman to represent Team Canada at the World Masters in Spain 2018.

Currently, Kristin has further broadened her scope of practice into the field of Acute Trauma Physiotherapy, where she is part of a team rehabilitating those with orthopaedic, medical andneurological disorders and trauma.

Many thanks to WCD and Jolene for the invitation to revisit the gifts of Rachel’s works, with a focus on Mouvement and KJ4. These dances are close to my heart and soul, it’s a joy to share them with this talented group of a younger generation.

Photo: Kristin Haight

Hugh Conacher

Lighting

Hugh Conacher is a lighting and multi-media designer, and a photographer. He has collaborated with choreographers, directors, visual artists, and dance and theatre companies throughout Canada and around the world, in venues large and small. His multi-disciplinary process, the foundation of which is over 40 years as a lighting designer, straddles the worlds of lighting design, new media technologies, projection and photography, using whichever media form best serves the vision of the project.

Originally from Toronto, Hugh has a long association with WCD, having worked as Resident Lighting  Designer at WCD from 1983-2007, and with WCD Artistic Directors Bill Evans, Tedd Robinson, and Tom Stroud. Hugh was a long-time collaborator with WCD founder Rachel Browne, as well as with current AD Jolene Bailie.

Hugh has been a member of the Associated Designers of Canada since 1982 and is a member of l’Association des professionnels des arts de la scène du Québec.

Photo: Leif Norman

Megan LaTouche

Costumes for Fine, Thank You and My Romance

Megan LaTouche learned to sew at the young age of 6, and put her sewing skills to good use throughout high school making clothes.

She began making costumes for various dance performances in the 1980s. She spent a year in Montreal studying and working for Claire Nadon, who was instrumental in teaching Megan about pattern drafting and operating industrial machines. It was with Claire that she constructed the costumes for the Can-Can, a dance very dear to her heart, and providing her with a lifelong appreciation for ruffles!

Megan has most recently been making costumes for Bolero Dance Theatre having learned the art of Spanish dance costume construction from Carmen Cano de Infante. She has also made numerous costumes for The School of Contemporary Dancers.

In the 22/23 Season, Megan was thrilled to work on Looking Glass (choreography by Idan Cohen) as it was the first time since the 1980s that she had made costumes for the company.

Photo: John Gurdebeke

Anika Binding

Stage Manager

Anika Binding returns to work with WCD, after working as an Assistant Lighting Designer for Begin Again + Play Cowboy (choreography by Jera Wolfe) last February.

A multidisciplinary theatre artist born and raised in Winnipeg, Anika graduated from the University of Winnipeg’s Theatre program and now works as a Lighting Designer, Costume Designer, and Stage Manager.

Recent credits include: stage managing Something Rotten (Manitoba Theatre for Young People), designing Lights and Costumes for Miss Shakespeare (Winnipeg Studio Theatre), designing costumes for Liars at a Funeral (Magnus Theatre), and assistant lighting design for Little Women (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre) and The Recipe (RMTC & Theatre Projects Manitoba).

Photo: Donovin Kerr

Carol-Ann Bohrn

Dancer

Carol-Ann grew up in Brandon, Manitoba and is in her sixth season dancing with WCD. WCD performance credits include: WCD 60th Anniversary Tribute to Rachel Browne (Rachel Browne), signals to segue, retuning, in between here and now, Body & Light, The Space in Between, Modulations, Last Schema, An Aspect of Alterity, and Anthem (all by Jolene Bailie), Play Cowboy and Begin Again (Jera Wolfe) and Looking Glass (Idan Cohen). Carol-Ann also danced in WCD: Class at Home, WCD’s Guest Artist in Residence project with Ralph Escamillan, remixing choreography by Tedd Robinson, and participated in a creative process with Melanie Demers, all for WCD.

Additional credits: Four seasons and 47 performances with Gearshifting Performance Works (Bailie, Chartier, Browne), By Grand Central Station (PTE), Sick + Twisted Theatre, Odette Heyn, Ming Hon, White Birch Ballet (Williams, Barbuto, Beamish), television commercials, music videos and film.

Carol-Ann’s training includes Cartae Open School (aceartinc), Foundation Mentorship Program at MAWA, as well as studies in Grotowski, Clown, Feldenkrais and at “b12 research or die festival”. Carol-Ann is a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers and trained at Ryerson University and RWB’s Teacher Training Program.

Photo: Susanne Middelberg

Reymark Capacete

Dancer

Reymark Capacete returns to dance with WCD for a third season WCD’s 60^th Anniversary Tribute to Rachel Browne. Past performance credits for WCD include: Last Schema, signals to segue, retuning and in between here and now (all by Bailie).

Versed in many styles of dance, Reymark first developed his dancing through watching Hip-Hop videos on YouTube. In high school, he found his love for dance working with Melanie Athayde and Jacqueline Garner, which led him to train at The School of Contemporary Dancers, from which he is a graduate. Through SCD, Reymark had the opportunity to dance at the Stream of Dance Festival in Regina (in work by Robin Poitras) and in works by many renowned choreographers.

Reymark is grateful and appreciative for all the opportunities he’s had and continues to receive. Reymark also dances with NAfro Dance Productions (2022-present) and Chai Folk Ensemble.

Photo: Jordan Nepon

Justin Erickson

Dancer

Justine Erickson is a Winnipeg based dancer, and a proud member of the Red River Métis Nation. 24/25 is Justine’s fourth season dancing with WCD. WCD credits include: WCD 60th Anniversary Tribute to Rachel Browne (Rachel Browne), signals to segue (Jolene Bailie), Looking Glass (Idan Cohen), New Creation + Begin Again (Jera Wolfe) and The Space In Between, Proximity and Aspects of Alterity for WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative (Jolene Bailie).  Justine also danced for WCD for the in-person premiere and tour of Begin Again (by Jera Wolfe, 2021).

With two of her sisters, she is a member of The Eriksson Collective; in 2022, they co-created four short dance films exploring Métis family roots and the absences of material culture through museum collections in Scotland.

Additional credits include: NAfro Dance Productions, New Dance Horizons, and Alexandra Elliot Dance. Justine graduated from the School of Contemporary Dancers, and completed her BA Honours majoring in Dance at the University of Winnipeg.

Photo: Courtney Maertens

Julious Gambalan

Dancer

Julious Gambalan returns to dance with WCD for a fifth season WCD’s 60^th Anniversary Tribute to Rachel Browne. Past performance credits for WCD include: signals to segue, retuning, in between here and now and Body & Light (all works by Jolene Bailie).

Julious also danced in WCD’s Guest Artist in Residence research project with Ralph Escamillan, remixing choreography by Tedd Robinson and for the past two seasons has worked as a Rehearsal Director for WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative, helping to stage the works Space or Place and Calibrations of Flux (both works by Bailie).

As an emerging dancer, Julious danced WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative shows Calibrations of Flux and Up Close and disDANCING; and for Verge: Remembering Rachel Browne. Born in Winnipeg, Julious is a graduate of the School of Contemporary Dancers and has a BA Honours in Dance, and a BSC. Through SCD, Julious had the opportunity to tour to the Stream of Dance Festival in Regina, New Blue Festival in Toronto and internationally to Vienna, Austria. Julious also dances with NAfro Dance Productions (2020-present).

Photo: Mark Dela Cruz

Aileen Holzrichter

Dancer

Aileen Holzrichter is a Winnipeg based dancer born in Germany. Prior to WCD’s 60^th Anniversary Tribute to Rachel Browne, Aileen performed with WCD in Last Schema (choreography by Bailie); and prior to that, Aileen danced in WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative for three seasons and in the shows Game On, Everything’s Coming Up Roses and Flights Paths (choreography by Bailie).

Aileen started dancing in Morden at DanceWorks until she found the School of Contemporary Dancers, where she continued her training in the junior and senior professional programs of which she is now a graduate. Through SCD, Aileen performed with Stephanie Ballard and Dancers: Landscape Dancing, a legacy piece by Davida Monk in Robin Poitras’ New Dance Horizons: Stream of Dance Festival (Regina) and performed with Odette Heyn Projects in the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra school shows.

Photo: DJ Green

Ellice Kynman

Dancer

Ellice Kynman is an independent dance artist from Winnipeg, Manitoba who has worked and performed nationally and internationally. Prior to WCD’s 60^th Anniversary Tribute to Rachel Browne, Ellice performed with WCD in Last Schema (choreography by Bailie), performing in Spring and Fall of 2024. Ellice also danced in WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative for three seasons and in the shows Game On, Everything’s Coming Up Roses and Flights Paths.

Ellice is a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers Professional Program in affiliation with The University of Winnipeg, and holds a BA Honours in Dance. Through SCD, Ellice had the opportunity to perform in Potsdam, Germany in work by Meagan O’Shea, at the Stream of Dance Festival in Regina, as well as train at Summer Arts Blast Off intensive in Toronto (2023).

Photo: Alexis Taylor

Thomas Oberlin

Dancer

Thomas Oberlin is a Metis dancer and choreographer from Treaty One Territory in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Thomas first performed with WCD in Last Schema (choreography, Jolene Bailie) in Spring and Fall of 2024 and now continues with WCD’s 60^th Anniversary Tribute to Rachel Browne. Prior to working with WCD, Thomas also danced in WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative for three seasons and in the shows Game On, Everything’s Coming Up Roses and Flights Paths (choreography by Bailie).

Thomas recently received his BA Honours in Dance from the University of Winnipeg, has trained in a variety of styles, and is a graduate of the School of Contemporary Dancer’s Senior Professional Program. Through SCD, Thomas had the opportunity to perform at New Dance Horizons Secret Garden Tour and the Stream of Dance Festival in Regina, as well as train at Summer Arts Blast Off intensive in Toronto (2023, 2024).

Also a teacher and choreographer at multiple studios, Thomas is passionate about sharing Contemporary dance with people of all ages and skill levels, whether it’s through class or performance.

Recent projects include: Phantom Dances for Nuit Blanche, Botany in Motion Arts Festival, and Pe-Kiyoke Arts Festival.

Photo: Natalie Sluis

Tom Stroud

Artist Talk Moderator

Tom Stroud is a choreographer and director known for his integrated approach to theater and dance with over 40 years of experience in the field. A graduate of the Simon Fraser University School for the Performing Arts, he has worked independently and with companies across Canada and beyond.

In 1991 Tom was appointed as the Artistic Director of Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers. During his 14-year tenure Stroud’s works for the company included Songs, Broken Symmetry, Company, The Last Sleep of the Virgin, R & J… 21 scenes for Romeo and Juliet, Shift, The Raft, Arrows, The Garden, El Rio, Vuelta, Desdemona, and Othell.  In 2002, he received the prestigious Choo San Goh Award for choreography.

As an Artistic Director of WCD, Stroud also spearheaded a number of highly successful and innovative projects. Among them: JOE, Shift, The Pan American New Creation Project and El Río

In 2005 Stroud joined the faculty of the Department of Theatre and Film at the University of Winnipeg, where he taught movement, performance, and acting, as well as directed many productions.

In addition to his work at the University, Stroud remained an active member of the professional community.  Performance credits: Duck Variation (Manitoba Theatre Centre’s Directors Festival), and The God Box (Out Of Line Theatre).  Directing credits: Jealous/Pervert, Witches, and The Rite, Jean-Paul Sartre’s No Exit and A Delicate Balance.

In 2013 Tom assumed the role of Artistic Director (2013-2019) of TRIP Dance Inc., renaming it Company Link, a company dedicated on supporting Experimental Theatre and Dance artists.

In 2013 Stroud also began his training in the Emotional Effector Patterns and is currently certified as an Alba Emoting teacher and an Emotional Body Lead Instructor. Tom continues his research to this day as a Senior Scholar at the University of Winnipeg.

Photo courtesy of the University of Winnipeg