|
Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Bengt Jörgen is a graduate of the Royal
Swedish Ballet School. He moved to Canada to further his studies at the
National Ballet School, and from 1982-1985 he was a member of the National
Ballet of Canada. While a member of the company, Bengt created two highly
successful ballets Shelter and Circle, for the National Ballet
Choreographic Workshops.
After leaving the National Ballet of Canada to pursue a choreographic
career, Bengt created Tuwat, which was subsequently taken into the
National Ballet of Canada's Concert Group touring repertoire. He was then
invited by
|
Photo:
Ballet Jörgen |
|
Norman Morrice, former Artistic Director of Britain's Royal
Ballet, to be a Canadian representative at the Creative Dance Artists
Trust during the summer of 1986 in Guilford, England.
Bengt Jörgen established Ballet Jörgen in 1987 to expand and improve
opportunities for ballet choreographers. Under his directorship, Ballet Jörgen
has grown to become Canada's leading presenter of original ballets. In
1989, he was appointed resident choreographer of George Brown College and
his artistic vision led to the formation in 1992 of a partnership with the
college which saved the dance department. He is currently Artistic
Director of the Dance Programs at George Brown College.
Bengt Jörgen is the 1993 recipient of the Clifford E. Lee Choreography
Award. Under his direction, Ballet Jörgen won rave reviews in New York
City in February 1995. In April 1995, Toronto saw the premiere of Jörgen's
opera-ballet Dialogues des Carmelites. His full-length version of
The Nutcracker premiered in November 1995, and his ballet, Swedish
Songs, was produced by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in December 1995.
Mr. Jörgen's new ballet Sketches, which was commissioned by
American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, premiered in New York City on
April 30, 1997, and the State Ballet of Missouri premiered Swedish
Songs in April of that year. Also in the spring of 1997, Jörgens new
children's ballet, Hercules and the Cretan Bull made its debut in
schools across Ontario.
The full-length version of Swedish Songs made its Toronto debut
on May 16, 1997 and his new production of Romeo and Juliet
premiered at The Banff Centre on February 27, 1998 and toured
in Canada and the United States in the spring of 1998. Romeo and
Juliet made its Hong Kong premiere with the Hong Kong Ballet in
October 7, 1999.
To date Bengt Jörgen has created over 30 ballets.
"The Clifford E. Lee
Choreography Award has been a significant factor in bringing exposure to a
number of young choreographers. The opportunity to create a work with a
large cast of dancers is all too rare for developing artists. The award
has helped many emerging choreographers, including myself, to grow as
artists. This summer I spent at Banff creating Bonds of Affection holds
very special place in my heart."
- Bengt Jörgen |
