Louise Bédard, Winner of the RQD’s Prix INTERPRÈTE

// Version française 

The Regroupement québécois de la danse (RQD) and the Caisse Desjardins de la Culture are pleased to present the Prix de la danse de Montréal, catégorie INTERPRÈTE, to seasoned contemporary dance artist Louise Bédard, in recognition of her moving stage presence, and current yet timeless body of work as a dancer. The award comes with a cash prize of $10,000 and was presented at the PRIX DE LA DANSE DE MONTRÉAL (PDM) awards ceremony.

The PDM jury cited Louise Bédard’s subtle and nuanced performance in Tout ce qui va revient, a work by Catherine Gaudet in which she delivers a stunning solo charged with sensitivity, power and mastery. The jury went on to highlight the finesse, openness and rigour of Louise Bédard’s work as a dancer, also singling out the capacity for dialogue and collaboration she has shown over the entire course of her remarkable career.

As a dancer and a choreographer known for her precise and complex writing, and as a passionate artist whose talents have stood the test of time, Louise Bédard is renowned for her depth of feeling, even with more formal signatures, and her capacity to move instantaneously from one bodily state to another. “I didn’t know that each danced role would leave me feeling that I’d come closer to those who created them, which gave me a chance to enter into their worlds. I didn’t know that I’d be asking myself, today, how artists of a certain age are perceived, and if we can even exist if we’re no longer the so-called ‘flavour of the month.’ I didn’t know that, even in the deepest depths of discouragement brought about by the obstacles and challenges of the craft, I would always gravitate back to dance,” said the artist in her acceptance speech.

In presenting the Prix INTERPRÈTE, the RQD rewards dancers for the quality of their work, the rigour of their approach and their commitment to the creation and development of professional dance in Québec. The $10,000 cash prize associated with the award includes a financial contribution from the RQD and the Caisse Desjardins de la Culture, proud partners of dance.

About:
The Regroupement québécois de la danse represents more than 540 members – or some 800 dance professionals – on public and political stages. Founded in 1984 to give a shared voice to Québec’s dance community, the RQD has since played a leadership role in developping projects that help consolidate the discipline. Its achievements are intended to promote dance, support its establishment and deployment across Québec, and build bridges between professionals, amateurs and lovers of dance.

The Caisse Desjardins de la Culture was founded in 1994 with the intention of giving artists, artisans, creators and cultural businesses and organizations the means to realize their talents and fulfill their aspirations. A financial cooperative with solid roots in its community, the Caisse helps self-employed workers achieve their personal and professional projects, offers companies and organizations financial services adapted to their respective realities, and plays a role in the socioeconomic development of the cultural community by supporting constructive approaches and projects.

Les Prix de la danse de Montréal is a non-profit organization whose mandate is to promote Montréal as an international hub for creation and performance in dance and to highlight the dynamism of personalities, organizations and institutions in the dance community.

Source:
Coralie Muroni
RQD’s Communications Director
514 849-4003, extension 222
cmuroni@quebecdanse.org

To find out more:
Biography of Louise Bédard (French only)
Visit the Prix de la danse de Montréal website for a complete list of winners.