The company
50 years of history
Ballets Jazz Montréal, an internationally renowned contemporary dance company, has been evolving with consistency and dynamism since 1972. Thanks to the unwavering faith of Geneviève Salbaing and Eva Von Gencsy, the company, known for its vitality, has been making its mark for 54 years. A cultural ambassador to the world, BJM has embodied freedom, creativity, originality, and excellence for over five decades.
The company's distinctive signature lies in the unique personalities of its performers. With their eclectic training, these artists from diverse backgrounds represent the soul of BJM. Through the quality of their performances, they invariably captivate audiences and critics alike, both locally and internationally.
With Alexandra Damiani as its artistic director since 2021, the company is updating itself while preserving the essence of the company.
1972
year of foundation
60
countries visited
3200
representations
"Ballet Jazz Montréal is by far one of the highlights of today's theatrical experience and should not be missed, if only to observe what it means to work together towards a unified vision, with true craftsmen and exceptional artists."
Alexandra Damiani
By emphasizing values such as openness and vulnerability, Alexandra Damiani perpetuates the company's tradition and continues to make it a true research laboratory. While choreographers are invited for residencies to share their explorations, performers have the opportunity to flourish alongside internationally renowned creators. This unique alchemy is the foundation of the company's success, making each creation the fruit of a singular encounter between choreographers and dancers.
All of BJM's works are imbued with humanity, fearlessness, and emotion. This authenticity, combined with technical skill, results in powerful, expressive, and demanding pieces.
The company's repertoire is rich and exclusive, yet remains accessible to all audiences. BJM has had the pleasure of collaborating with inspiring figures in contemporary dance, such as Crystal Pite (Canada), Rodrigo Pederneiras (Brazil), Mauro Bigonzetti (Italy), Aszure Barton (Canada), Cayetano Soto (Spain), Wen Wei Wang (Canada), Barak Marshall (Israel & USA), Itzik Galili (Netherlands), Andonis Foniadakis (Greece), Benjamin Millepied (France), Annabelle Lopez Ochoa (Colombia & Belgium), Ihsan Rustem (UK), Anne Plamondon (Canada), and Juliano Nunes (Brazil). The company cultivates openness to others and a diversity of styles.
Through its productions, performances, and educational activities, BJM encourages discovery, stimulates the imagination, and shares its passion with audiences of all backgrounds. Having performed more than 3,200 times in 60 countries for an audience of over 3 million, the company is considered one of the world's leading ambassadors of dance and of Quebec's artistic vitality.
