James Kudelka

James Kudelka, OC (born September 10, 1955 at Newmarket, Ontario), is a Canadian choreographer, dancer, and director. He was the artistic director of the National Ballet of Canada from 1996 to 2005,

Biography Kudelka began choreographing while a student at the National Ballet School. He joined The National Ballet of Canada in 1972 at 16 and gained critical attention for dramatic ballets such as A Party (1976) and Washington Square (1979).

Les Grands Ballets Canadiens Frustrated by what he saw as a lack of creative commitment at the National Ballet, Kudelka joined Les Grands Ballet Canadiens in 1981 where he was a principal dancer. There his choreography changed toward a less dramatic style in works such as In Paradisum (1983) and Alliances (1984). He also continued to choreograph for the company, including new versions of Swan Lake and Cinderella. He also acquired several pieces from George Balanchine. She said that Kudelka told her he was letting her go because she had opposed his plans to spend $1.6 million on the new production and because she had opposed his appointment as artistic director. At the time, the National was nearly $3 million in debt.

Personal life In 1990, Kudelka studied baking at the French Culinary Institute in New York City In 2008, Kudelka opened a bakery business in Vittoria, Ontario The Good Bread Company with his companion and life partner, Jim Wies.

Kudelka makes his home in St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador

Selected choreographed works

1990 Symphony No. 6 for Pastorale 1991 Fifteen Heterosexual Duets 1991 Musings 1993 The Miraculous Mandarin 1994 Spring Awakening 1994 The Actress 1994 Gluck Pas de Deux 1995 The Nutcracker 1996 Cruel World 1997 The Four Seasons 1997 Terra Firma 1998 Désir 1999 Swan Lake 1999 A Disembodied Voice 2000 The Firebird 2002 The Contract 2003 The End 2003 There, below 2004 Cinderella 2004 Chacony 2005 An Italian Straw Hat 2005 Romeo and Juliet before parting 2005 Full Circles 2013 ... black night’s bright day ...