André Lewis has spent the majority of his career with Canada’s first professional dance company, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, accepting the position of Artistic Director in 1996. Since then, he has been the driving force behind the new and innovative works that have dramatically rejuvenated the company’s repertoire.
A native of Gatineau, Québec, Mr. Lewis began his dance training in Ottawa before being accepted into the professional division of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School in 1975. He joined the RWB Company in 1979 and enjoyed an accomplished career as a dancer for more than 10 years. Mr. Lewis has commissioned numerous blockbuster ballets, such as Mark Godden’s Dracula in 1998 and Moulin Rouge® – The Ballet in 2009. In 2012, he co-commissioned (with Atlanta Ballet’s John McFall) a new creation by celebrated choreographer Twyla Tharp, Twyla Tharp’s The Princess & The Goblin. In 2013, in conjunction with New York choreographer Lila York, he commissioned the outstanding full-length ballet The Handmaid’s Tale, a bold adaptation of the novel by Governor General Award-winning Canadian author, Margaret Atwood. I
Mr. Lewis is a sought-after ballet instructor and has guest taught throughout Europe and Japan.
Photo above: André Lewis (middle) represented Canada on the panel of jurors for the 2014 USA International Ballet Competition. Edward Villella (left) chaired the panel, and Feng Ying represented China.