Ballet Kelowna presents EX ANIMO From the Heart Feb 14 + 15, 2025

Subscribe to the 2024/25 Season HERE

Single tickets on sale September 16th

The season continues with Ex Animo, a fervent program featuring three heartfelt pieces for the Valentine’s Day weekend. With world premieres by Associate Artist Cameron Fraser-Monroe and dance luminary Alysa Pires, paired with Robert Stephen’s passionate In the Light of the Waking Sun, this touching mix of works explores human relationships, bringing glowing warmth to the winter season.  

World Premiere
payɛčot yɛχət
Choreography: Cameron Fraser-Monroe

Cameron Fraser-Monroe, a member of the Tla’amin First Nation, has emerged as a singular choreographic voice and continues his association with the company through a fourth exciting new work. Known for fusing his knowledge of traditional dance with classical technique, Fraser-Monroe returns to his long-standing relationship with hoop dance in payɛčot yɛχət [PAI-yeh-chot yeh-HUT], meaning “I always remember” in Ayajuthem, the language belonging to the Homalco, Klahoose, K’omoks, and Tla’amin Nations. This piece features music by Indigenous cellist and composer Cris Derksen.

World Premiere
Vestiges
Choreography: Alysa Pires

Following the astounding successes of Ballet Kelowna-commissioned MAMBO and Macbeth, Alysa Pires is back with Vestiges, her third world premiere created in Kelowna. With music by violinist Hilary Hahn and composer Hauschka, this work promises to display striking athleticism and mesmerizing theatricality as Pires considers how individuals find connection and meaning amid disorder. 

In the Light of the Waking Sun
Choreography: Robert Stephen

Rising Canadian choreographer Robert Stephen is known for his highly musical approach that is rooted in classical ballet while also drawing from contemporary dance influences. His work, In the Light of the Waking Sun, personifies the feeling of warm sunshine and is set to Franz Schubert’s euphonic Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Major. This uplifting ensemble piece explores a rekindling of relationships through airy movement and swift, clustering formations.

The commissioning of payɛčot yɛχət and Vestiges has been made possible through the generosity of Leadership Giving Donor Dr. Adrian Bak.

Support for payɛčot yɛχət has also been provided by UBCO’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies.