Meet Ballet Kelowna’s new artistic director and CEO

KELOWNA – Ballet Kelowna has a new artistic director.

Simone Orlando has danced professionally with the National Ballet of Canada and Desrosiers Dance Theatre. She worked as principal artist for Ballet British Columbia and has created several commissions for Ballet Kelowna.

Orlando will take over for retiring artistic director David LaHay at the start of the 2014 season Sept. 1, but that won’t be her only job at Ballet Kelowna.

Board of directors president Deborah Ward announced Wednesday Orlando would be the company’s CEO as well.

“I realized a few years ago that to successfully run a dance company I would need to augment my skills and abilities beyond my experience as a dancer and choreographer,” Orlando says.  “I’m interested in developing and nurturing relationships with audience members, donors and supporters who are keen to achieve something great together; a ballet company that offers programs of the highest quality, that are exciting and relevant, and that can grow and sustain audiences over time."

Ward says Orlando is a leader with uncompromising artistic standards who will bring an exciting new vision to Ballet Kelowna.

“I see this community and this company as a great place to focus on promoting and fostering Canadian talent, not only dance artists, but dance creators as well," Orlando says. "It’s my goal to have Ballet Kelowna be recognized both nationally and internationally as a thriving, innovative company.”

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.