Shale Wagman appeared on ‘Canada’s Got Talent’ and has been called the country’s Billy Elliot. We meet up with the 16-year-old at Monaco’s Princess Grace Academy, as part of our Q&A series celebrating Canada’s 150th this year
ML: You are from Thornhill, Ontario, north of Toronto. Can you tell us a little about life in your Canadian hometown? SW: I spent most of my time training and performing but I still got to enjoy so much. I use to go take long walks with my dogs in the beautiful Canadian forests. I always enjoyed bike riding with my brothers all over the city. In the winters my mom would take me, my brothers and our friends tobogganing down the snowy hills near our house. On the way to the dance studio I would usually stop for a Boston Cream donut at the iconic Tim Hortons.
There were many good times at our family and friends cottages in Lake Simcoe and Haliburton, Ontario. We would go waterskiing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and have S’mores by the bonfire. I also got to enjoy sleepover camp in Haliburton. I went for five summers to Camp Timberlane, made some amazing friends, enjoyed the outdoors, water sports, performing in plays, drawing, painting and was able to explore different aspects of life.
ML: What does it feel like to be called Canada’s Billy Elliot? SW: I am grateful. I take it as a big compliment to be recognised for my efforts in pursuing, living and having the opportunity to share my passion with the world. I hope that I can inspire people of any age to go for what they truly want in life. I want young boys to have the courage to go for whatever makes them feel alive without fearing that they will be judged by their dreams and aspirations.
Our Q&A series on Monaco’s Canadian community, in honour of Canada’s 150th, talks to Valerie Chiasson, 28, professional race car driver and the first female to get podium position at the Canadian Grand Prix.
ML: You were born in Repentigny, Quebec, population 82,000. VC: Life in Repentigny, which is about 20 minutes from Montreal, is really peaceful and quiet. I now live in Luxembourg and Canada but I’m in Monaco one week a month at the moment. I like the international community in Monaco and its outlook on life. The weather is perfect for my training and I always enjoy my time here. Maybe I’ll live in Monaco, you never know!
ML: You are the Canadian Ambassador for the 150th anniversary of the Canadian confederation in Monaco for 2017. How did you get involved and what is your role? VC: As I’m in Monaco every month, I feel part of the community so it’s an honour for me to represent Canada for these special events in the Principality in 2017. It’s a pleasure for me to contribute to get more Canadians involved in Canadian-Monaco international relations. I run an international business and Monaco is one of my turnkey locations to make global connections.
ML: Tell us about your business that brings you to Monaco. VC: I have two companies. VCE Auto Marketing is a marketing and publicity company and VCE International is a business market development for Patents. I have products in technologies and industry 4.0, one of which I may possibly present at CleanEquity Monaco in March.
ML: You first got a taste for racing at age 11 driving a kart. Can you describe that first racing feeling? VC: Everybody has a different taste with their first experience! Mine was amazing. I was comfortable on my first lap and enjoyed every moment of steering the kart.
ML: How would you describe speed? VC: The sensation of speed changes over the years … I don’t feel it very much anymore although the adrenaline makes it seem like nothing can stop you!
ML: Is it true that you raced motorcycles on ice? VC: No. When I was 11, I wanted to race a motorcycle on ice but my father did not approve … so I decided to race karts instead.
ML: What kind of driver are you when you’re off track, say running errands? VC: Totally normal and calm.
ML: How disciplined is your life in this profession? VC: Discipline is one of the most important things in my sport. I train five times a week and eat what my nutritionist tells me to. I take nutritional supplements and drink very little six months a year … only champagne when its the right time!
ML: How has your racing career evolved over the years? VC: Every year it’s a new challenge. In 2017, I’ll race in Canada and the US with BestLine Autotech based in Toronto, Canada. I will compete in another Porsche GT3 Cup. The announcement of my new season and new partners will be made soon. My calendar in Europe is not completely decided so stay tuned on my social media (@val_chiasson) and subscribe on the Public List for events open to everyone!
ML: Can you share one of your favourite racing memories? VC: When I was young, my dream was to race on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal during the Formula One. The first time, in 2014, I drove in the Touring Car class and finished 4th and 5th out of 35 cars.
In 2015, I had my first podium position and made history to be the first female ever to make an official podium in all categories during the Canadian Grand Prix. The 13 years of racing and support from my family led up to this moment. I was in tears!
ML: What is one of the most valuable lessons you have learned in your racing career? VC: The force of character and to never ever give up because tenacity and determination are the most important things in life.
ML: You once said that you want “to help young ones discover racing”. Why is this important to you? VC: Over the past 15 years, I have learned a lot and I can say that maturity and experience help to build a career. I want to help young drivers to make their dreams come true with the same experiences I had over the years and to assist with better team development around young athletes, who need a team and not just a push from their parents! It’s the difference between being an amateur all their life or being able to step up to professional racing.
ML: In 2016 you were named ASN Canada’s representative with the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile’s WiM (Women in Motorsport Commission). What does this honour mean to you, and what is your role? VC: I’m still a representative this year, which means that I’m ready to be the best female role model that I can be for the FIA for my country. I’m looking also for new potential talent in Motorsports and am ready to help them.
ML: Do you see women’s place in Motorsport improving? VC: Yes and no. I can see more women in Motorsport but the step to becoming a professional driver is still really hard for young women in the sport. We need more support from partners to help the development of young talented women in Motorsports.
ML: What is your racing career goal? VC: I dream about the Porsche Supercup series. I still have three years of racing and then I’ll focus on marketing management for young drivers after that.
ML: Your career has taken you around the world. How are you received as a Canadian? VC: Canadians are very welcome in the world I have to say. I’m blessed for that.
ML: What do you think makes Canadians so loved? VC: Our energy and positive thinking.
ML: When you are away from home in Mont Tremblant, what do you miss the most? VC: The nature, the lakes, the summer cycling, which are all unique to this place.
ML: Woman in sport you most admire and why? VC: Michelle Mouton, the French former rally driver because she is a fighter and retired British racing driver Susie Wolff, who is strong and believes in herself. Her story is really amazing.
Canada celebrates its 150th birthday in 2017. Our Q&A series on Monaco’s Canadian community starts with Dr Gervais Dionne, a researcher in medicinal chemistry who developed ground-breaking anti-HIV drug
ML: Can you share some details about the town you are from in Quebec? GD: I was born in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, a village of about 3,000 inhabitants located 100km east of Quebec City, on the south shore of the Saint Laurence River. I did most of my studies in Quebec City and in Montreal, and spent most of my working life around Montreal.
Montreal is the second largest city in Canada with a population of around 4 million – versus 6 million for Toronto – and is an academic and industrial centre with four universities and several research institutes, as well as many high tech industries including aerospace, electronics, software engineering, pharmaceuticals and telecommunication.
ML: What factor contributed in your choice of becoming a chemist? GD: Early on in high school, I became very interested in the sciences, and I subscribed to “The Young Scientist” magazine and was fascinated by the world of nature sciences, the atom, molecules, the elementary and sub-particles … I got a chemistry kit as a Christmas gift from my parents. By following the guide I was able to conduct experiments, but was not able to understand what was going on. So I decided that I wanted to understand.
ML: Why did you choose research as a career? GD: Early during my chemistry studies I got a scholarship that provided me the opportunity to spend a summer in a university research laboratory. It was in professor Bernard Belleau’s laboratory at the University of Ottawa. There I interacted with researchers (PhD students and post-doctoral fellows). I was trying to understand their work and was able to witness their passion towards their research. So I decided that was what I wanted to do with my life.
ML: Why have you chosen to specialise in medicinal chemistry? GD: To design and build totally novel complex molecules is quite challenging and rewarding when the success is met. But I decided that it would be more rewarding for me to discover new molecules that would be useful to mankind, and especially that would potentially help to improve medical problems.
ML: Can you talk about your professional history? GD: I got my first University degree in chemistry from the University of Montreal, then got a PhD in medicinal chemistry from Laval University in Quebec City, and then got a two-year scholarship as a post-doctoral fellow in a pharmaceutical company. I was hired by that company (Ayerst Laboratories) in Montreal as a Senior Researcher. There I conducted research projects in the field of cardiovascular and CNS (Central Nervous System).
ML: You discovered a new anti-HIV treatment, with fellow researchers Francesco Bellini and Bernard Belleau. Can you tell us about the drug-development company you formed with these two gentlemen, and your work on the anti-AIDS drug 3TC? GD: In 1984, Ayerst Laboratories, an American company (which is now part of Pfizer pharmaceutical) decided to concentrate its research activities in the US. We were invited to move to New Jersey.
Among others, one of my colleagues, Francesco Bellini, and I decided not to move. Francesco Bellini, Bernard Belleau (then at McGill University) shared the same dream: to build an innovative research Canadian-based pharmaceutical company. The company was established in 1986 under the name of IAF BioChem International Inc, which became BioChem Pharma Inc.
Early on we decided to work on HIV infection/AIDS. It was a new disease and there was no satisfactory treatment. We were not too late to enter into the race. The first and only treatment was AZT (which was approved in 1987). AZT treatment was less than satisfactory because of poor efficacy and severe side effects.
We started a research program in 1987 aimed at discovering a molecule that would be at least as potent or more potent than AZT but without the nasty side effects. Bernard Belleau had a genius idea about a totally novel type of molecule. We decided to follow that path and in 1989 we found one molecule that was more potent in the test tube against HIV compared to AZT, but, more importantly, the molecule had very little toxicity compared to AZT or compared to other compounds, which were in development around the world at that time.
Because of the power of HIV and the rapid development of resistance it became obvious that the use of one drug would not be sufficient and in order to be successful one would need to use a combination therapy. After the evaluation of many combinations, the most promising results in test tube were obtained when AZT and 3TC were used together. A synergy of potency was observed and the development of resistances to the agents was delayed significantly. These results led us and our partner, Glaxo, to initiate large worldwide clinical trials. The results, which were astonishing, were released at the International AIDS Conference in Glasgow in November 1994.
The levels of the virus in blood cells of patients were reduced by 99% after one year of treatment with 3TC+AZT, compared with AZT monotherapy where the levels of the virus in the blood was reduced only by 11% after 6 months and 0% after a year. These results were a milestone in HIV treatment and confirmed that combination therapy was the way forward to keep the HIV at bay and thus changed the way HIV infection and AIDS was treated. 3TC was approved by the FDA in November 1995 and positioned itself as the cornerstone for the development of combination therapy.
Later, outstanding clinical trial results were obtained with the combination 3TC+AZT+IDV (Indinavir, a protease inhibitor developed by Merck). Levels of virus in blood cells of patients were reduced by 99.9%. This was another milestone; the beginning of tri-therapy, which is still today the standard of care for HIV infected/AIDS patients.
ML: How did this drug differ from others available? GD: Like all other anti-HIV drugs 3TC targets a key enzyme of HIV, which is essential for its replication.
What makes 3TC unique is its “non-natural” chemical structure. Because of its “non-natural” structure 3TC does not affect human cells and is devoid of any side effect. So it can be combined with other anti-HIV drugs without additive toxicity.
Also, when mutation against 3TC develops, the resulting mutant virus is impaired, it does not replicate as rapidly and become more susceptible to other agents in the combination therapy.
ML: At what point during the research process did you realise that you had made a major discovery? GD: The first event was in 1989 when the US National Cancer Institute (a division of the US National Institute of Health) conducted a comparative evaluation of all the anti-HIV molecules in development around the world, and concluded the 3TC was the most promising one, and was chosen for a collaboration between our two respective organisations. This, of course, was based on in vitro (test tube) results and there were a lot of unknowns in this early stage of development.
The second event was November 1994, with the results of the 3TC+AZT combination. Then we realised that this would make a huge difference for people living with HIV/AIDS.
ML: Can you describe the feeling of such a medical finding, that contributes to saving lives? GD: The best reward in my life was when I met with patients who told me that when they were on AZT they were very sick in a hospital bed and had no hope, but under 3TC combination therapy they were back home, living an almost normal life, going to restaurants, cinema, travelling …
ML: How has the treatment of AIDS advanced since the eighties? GD: The early tri-therapies were complex and difficult to take (many pills three times per day). Today tri-therapies are very simple: one pill once per day.
ML: What path did you take after this? What other projects have you been involved in? GD: In 2004, I started another company with a BioChem Pharma colleague (Francois Legault) for the financial side of the operation. The company was ViroChem Pharma and we were conducting research in HIV, but mostly in Hepatitis C. Our team discovered several potent anti-HCV compounds, and one of them proved to be very powerful against the Hepatitis C virus in humans. The results attracted a lot of attention and interest in the industry and an American company acquired ViroChem Pharma in 2009.
ML: How did you end up in Monaco, and what do you appreciate about calling Monaco home? GD: During our travels we enjoyed the Mediterranean “joie de vivre”. We initially moved to the South of France, but we learned more about Monaco and were particularly attracted by Monaco’s cultural life and multiculturalism that we were used to in Montreal. So, we moved to Monaco last November. We are in the middle of our integration in Monaco so it is too early for us to consider Monaco as “home”. But I am sure that we will rapidly feel at home in this great place.
ML: What do you miss about Canada? Do you socialise with Canadians? GD: We have kept a country chalet in Canada and return every summer for two months to enjoy the Laurentide forest, lakes, rivers and wildlife.
ML: What does it mean to you to be Canadian? GD: To be open and tolerant of others and proud to be from a country that often takes the position as a peacekeeper.
ML: Why are Canadians unique? GD: Canadian culture is a mixture of British, French and American influences. Although French and English share official language status, Canada is very diverse, historically and ethnically. There is no single national culture: the melting pot of the neighbouring US is translated in Canada as something of a stew. Immigrants have both integrated into Canadian daily life, but continued to maintain some unique element of their ancestral homeland.
Our Q&A series celebrating Canada’s 150th in 2017 meets another member of Monaco’s Canadian community. Maude Sabourin, who turns 30 this year, is a Soloist with Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
ML: You grew up in Terrebonne, an off-island suburb north of Montreal, and attended the Jeune Ballet du Québec. Did you always want to be a ballerina? MS: Le Jeune Ballet du Quebec was a young company that was still part of my school. We got to work with choreographers, tour around the world and dance on so many different stages, which was such a great experience for us as pre-professionals.
From what I can remember, I always wanted to be a ballerina, but I also wanted to be princess so … My dream was just to make it as a professional dancer and I worked as hard as I could to reach my goal.
ML: Soon after graduating, you joined Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. How did this opportunity happen? MS: In fact, I never graduated from school because I didn’t finish my scholarship. I left as soon as I got a contract. In theory, I had still a year and a half to go. In the ballet world, the goal is to get a job, so when you get an offer, it’s hard to refuse this opportunity.
I came to Monaco to visit a friend of mine that got hired the year before. I wanted to see how an overseas company worked, what was the level of the dancers, and so on. I took a ballet class with the company members and it actually became an audition. I was filmed by the ballet masters and a little later in the year, I got a call back from them telling me that they would like to offer me a contract to join Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo!
Romeo and Juliet-Maillot
ML: You became a Soloist in 2010. Can you describe the feeling of your first solo performance? MS: I remember my first performance like it was yesterday, it was the very first time I danced the nurse in Romeo and Juliet … I got to be Bernice, the star of the company at the time! I was so intimidated and I wanted to do well. I was so moved and I felt such an adrenaline rush … it’s very hard to put into words. I have to say that I still get that same rush a few seconds before putting my first foot on stage!
ML: How disciplined is the life of a ballerina, as a teenager and as an adult? MS: Well, as a teenager and as an adult, the discipline stays the same. It’s an art form that requires very hard work everyday to maintain a high level of quality. The only difference for me is that as a teenager you get pushed a lot by your teachers but as an adult, you must take charge of yourself. You have to be your own motivator.
ML: How much do you rehearse every day/week? MS: Our schedule is set. Ballet class from 10:30 am to noon, then we rehearse whichever ballet we need to prepare from 12:15 to 2 pm. After a lunch break, we rehearse again from 3- 6:30 pm from Monday to Friday and on Saturday, we finish at 2:30 pm.
ML: Does nutrition play a role in your life? MS: I have a very specific way of eating. I avoid all processed foods and am on a high protein diet plus I take high-quality supplements. Also, I try to get a good amount of sleep to ensure my body recovery.
ML: What is something about the life of a ballerina that would surprise people? MS: I think people have this image of us being so serious and focused, which is true… but I think they’d be surprised by how goofy we can be in the studio! Sometimes we can get pretty wild … I guess we are still kids trapped in grown up bodies.
ML: Are other dancers in the company like family? MS: We are a kind of family, yes. We can relate to each other because we all go through the same joys, pains, deceptions and glories, and understand each other so well. It creates an immediate bond.
ML: What are some of your greatest performance memories? MS: All performances are special to me. What comes to my mind though is dancing with Christian Tworzyanski in “Aleatorio” … it was very emotional because we created this ballet together and it was such an intimate moment between us on stage. It felt like we were alone in the world for a little while. These moments are precious, just thinking about it makes me emotional all over again.
ML: What have you learned about yourself as a dancer? MS: That’s a good one. I am still learning about myself everyday … I’ve learned that I’ve become a strong woman and I am proud of what I have accomplished. I just hope to keep growing as an artist and I hope one day I can share my experiences with younger generations!
ML: You have lived in Monaco for a decade. What do you most appreciate about calling Monaco home? MS: The weather is amazing on the Coast. We are blessed and I appreciate the fact that I can go to the sea and I can also take my car up to the mountains to go play in the snow like a real Canadian!
ML: What’s your favourite hangout in Monaco? MS: I don’t have a favourite hangout. I quite like to have a coffee on the terrace of Starbucks on top of NiBox. The view is just so pretty.
ML: Why are Canadians unique? MS: We are just so cool! We are tolerant, kind, peaceful, welcoming … everyone loves us.
ML: What does it mean to you to be Canadian? MS: To be Canadian means to be true to yourself and to your roots. It’s very important to me. I love Canadians and what we represent and I carry that image proudly.
ML: What do you miss about Canada? MS: What I miss most about Canada is … Canada! …all of it! I really love my country! It’s just in my heart.
Article first published February 8, 2017. Photos: Alice Blangero
Our Q&A series on Monaco’s Canadian community, in honour of Canada’s 150th, continues with France Shapiro, President of the Canadian Club de Monaco, which will showcase Canada in the Principality across the year.
ML: Can you share some details about Baie-Comeau, where you are from in Quebec? FS: Baie-Comeau is a small industrial town with a population of over 20,000 (30,000 with its periphery) inhabitants, situated 400 km northeast of Quebec City in Canada. In the seventies, Baie-Comeau had the highest average salary of any town in the Province of Quebec. It is also the birthplace of our Prime Minister of Canada from 1984 to 1993, the Honourable Brian Mulroney.
ML: Can you talk about where you studied and worked? FS: I studied nursing in Baie-Comeau, then dental hygiene at college in Quebec City and finally, at the University of Montreal, I studied in Administration and Human Resources Management.
I worked in several offices as a dental hygienist and then after completing my licence, I got an administrative position in the dental department of Sainte-Justine Hospital in Montreal.
ML: How did you end up in Monaco from Montreal? FS: After sailing for many years in the Caribbean, my husband and I wanted a change of scenery and more culture and so we came to Monaco in 2000. With its culture and fiscal advantages, Monaco is a natural choice for Canadians.
ML: What do you enjoy most about living in Monaco? FS: For me, without a doubt, it’s the accessibility to culture in all its forms. In Monaco, like in major cities around the world, you have the opportunity to see the nec plus ultra – the best of the best.
ML: What is a misconception people have about Monaco? FS: I must admit that it is not easy to make friends in Monaco as people come and go a lot. And there is also reservation because most people are expats. That said, once you get involved, people are very open and welcoming. The trick is to break the ice.
ML: You are President of the Canadian Club de Monaco. How did you become involved and can you tell us about the club? FS: Since moving to Monaco, I’ve been a member of the Canadian Club. It’s a very good way to integrate into Monaco’s social life and meet people from different backgrounds.
The Canadian Club de Monaco was founded in 1987 and is an active social club, with some 25 different activities a year, like a meal together, concerts, the ballet, conferences … We have an average of 80 to 100 members each year, and all the proceeds from membership fees are redistributed to charitable organisations in Monaco.
I became president because it was my turn to serve and help, and get more involved to bringing on new activities. This is a big year for Canada, as 2017 marks the 150th Anniversary of the Canadian Confederation. On this occasion, the Canadian Club de Monaco is working with the Consulate of Canada in Monaco to make this year memorable for those living in the Principality. Throughout the year, events will be organised to showcase Canada and its culture, and we will share the program with Monaco Life readers once it’s finalised.
ML: As you travelled a great deal, what was your reception like as a Canadian? FS: It is fascinating and even surprising how Canadians are perceived worldwide.
We are appreciated for our accessibility, our simplicity and our joy of life. Another aspect of being Canadian, which is very valuable, is that most Canadians are bilingual in French and English, which gives a versatility to communicate easily.
ML: Why are Canadians unique? FS: Canadians are humble. We are very inclusive as we think that two heads are better than one. This attitude makes us cooperative and gives us a facility to work as a team.
ML: What does it mean to you to be Canadian? FS: I am so proud to be Canadian and I am so patriotic that it is sometimes a bit ridiculous. Like Bono and Obama have said: “The world needs more Canada”…
Canada celebrates its 150th birthday this year. Our Q&A series on Monaco’s Canadian community continues with Stephan Bourgond, Principal Dancer with Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
ML: Can you share some details about where you are from in Canada? SB: I was born in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, located some 700 kilometres northwest of Toronto, on the St Marys River in the district of Algoma. If I remember correctly, the population is about 75,000 people.
Sault Ste Marie has a twin city “across the river” in Michigan, in the US, also called Sault Ste Marie. The “twin Soos” are both very cute little towns, embracing each other as neighbours with a long bridge that connects them. Being from Northern Ontario, one of the most beautiful things about my town is the surrounding nature and how dramatically it changes with the seasons! The colours in autumn are so rich, and I have never seen such a brilliant display in all of my travels.
ML: Do you visit home often? What do you miss about Canada? SB: I try to get home every two years during the summer to visit my family, fill up on my Nonna’s cooking, and enjoy the quiet and simple life.
There are a lot of silly little familiar things I miss from Canada. Really good maple syrup, to start! I miss how friendly everyone is – Canadians are always smiling and happy to see you. Then there are the bonfires in the backyard, and S’mores. I also miss barbecues with my huge family, seeing a black bear crossing the road and building forts made out of snow.
ML: Were you always attracted to the ballet? SB: I started dancing around the age of seven at Kiana School of Dance, a local studio. I loved moving to the music, putting on costumes, and being able to occasionally travel to competitions. I started out just doing jazz and eventually was told that if I wanted to continue, it was important to do ballet as well. I agreed and one year later was encouraged to audition for Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto at the age of 10. I was accepted into the summer program, reassessed, and then accepted to become a full-time student.
I loved being in a big city, surrounded by others that liked the same thing I did, and the fact that on weekends we got to go to the zoo and the amusement park! Well, when the actual school year came around we never had time for animals or rollercoasters, but for seven years I stuck around, slowly realising that the thing that I enjoyed most could actually become a career.
ML: You’ve been with Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo for ten years now. How did that come about? SB: After graduating from the National Ballet School I went to Hamburg, Germany. While in Canada, I worked on a short ballet that was choreographed by the Director of the Hamburg Ballet, John Neumeier, who came to coach us. It was an experience that filled me with so much energy and joy and hunger for more that I felt like I had to pack my things and move to Germany.
I spent a year in the final class of the Hamburg Ballet School, working closely with the company and getting some finishing touches from their pre-professional program. I stayed with the company for the following two years, but slowly realised that the Hamburg Ballet, as much as I admired the work and the dancers, wasn’t exactly the right place for me.
One evening, as I spoke with a friend of mine about “what else is out there”, he mentioned a company in the South of France that he has always wanted to work for. I was curious and started doing my research. Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo looked like an extraordinary place. Not only were there palm trees and a Prince and Princesses, but the work was dynamic and different and exciting. I was hooked! I flew over for an audition, got the job, and have loved growing up surrounded by such inspiring people (and palm trees!).
ML: You are the Principal Dancer. What does this mean for you professionally? SB: When we start out in ballet companies it’s usually as a member of the Corps de Ballet. These are the dancers who mostly dance together as a group. It’s how we start getting in our stage experience, learning how to work with others, and continue to fine-tune our technique and artistry. As those things develop, some people are chosen to take on a little more responsibility and could be promoted to Soloist. After that, the next step up is becoming a Principal Dancer.
Typically taking on the lead roles and carrying a lot of responsibility throughout a ballet, a Principal can often do a range of styles, and is a dancer who inspires choreographers to create. A Principal is also someone that reflects what it means to be disciplined, hard working, and willing to continually challenge themselves to grow and develop.
ML: How much do you rehearse daily? SB: Our day usually starts with an hour and a half of training from 10:30 am to noon. Then we rehearse from 12:15 am to 6:30 pm with an hour for lunch, and a 15-minute break in the afternoon. It’s very intense work, and depending on the ballet(s) we are working on, my days may be full or I might just have one- or two-hour long rehearsals.
ML: How do you take care of yourself outside of rehearsal hours? SB: If my days aren’t packed, I try to get to the gym three times a week for some weightlifting and muscle building. It’s a nice way to stay physical and get into shape that is different from ballet.
I also love cooking and discovering new recipes and ways to help my body and spirit be happy. I say spirit as well because sometimes biting into a homemade vanilla cupcake with buttercream icing may not be the best thing for the body, but it sure does make the heart smile!
ML: With such a physically demanding schedule, do you struggle with injuries? SB: When I was in school I had a lot of injuries. While it sounds dramatic, it was actually one of the best things that could have happened. As I was injured so often, I spent a lot of time working with physical therapists and osteopaths learning about why injuries happen and how to prevent them.
It’s amazing how your body can warn you of so many things before they happen if you just learn to listen to it. This helped me as a professional to know when little alarms were going off in my body telling me to stop and analyse what it was that my body needed.
ML: Do you self-evaluate after each performance? Are you hard on yourself? SB: All dancers are hard on themselves, it’s the thing that pushes us to want to do better. I definitely reflect of my performance after the curtain goes down as I’m taking off my makeup or standing in a hot shower to relax my muscles. I usually try to make sure I think about the things I can improve on, but also think about something that I felt I achieved. Finding a balance is important because being constantly critical is not productive.
ML: What’s the best part of life as a dancer? SB: I love that Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo is a company that travels around the world, sharing our passion with people from so many different places and cultures. No matter what language is spoken, wherever we are, we know that when that curtain goes up, our work and passion and love for this art form will communicate with the audience.
The hardest part is being able to come to work everyday and be generous physically and emotionally. Just like anyone else, there are days I wake up feeling drained and tired and don’t want to go to work. On those days, I always remember my teachers telling me that pushing through moments like that are the times when you learn the most.
ML: What’s your favourite hangout in Monaco to meet with friends? SB: When a group of us are feeling like grabbing something to eat or drink we often head to Le Marché de la Condamine. There’s something for everyone and we love the relaxed atmosphere. The occasional night out at Jimmyz can be a lot of fun …
ML: What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do in Monaco but haven’t found the time? SB: I still have yet to visit the Jardin Exotique and particularly the caves hidden below. I’d also love to spoil myself someday with a helicopter ride to the airport!
ML: Are Monaco and Canada similar in any way? SB: I think the thing that’s most comparable is the diversity that can be found in both these countries. While the scale is very different, I love that in Monaco I have a group of friends that come from all over the world – within my colleagues to my circle of friends outside of work.
ML: Do you socialise with fellow Canadians? SB: I do have a few Canadian friends around Monaco and their friendships are ones I value a lot. It’s exciting to meet all the fascinating people that live in Monaco, but when I get together with a Canadian, there’s something deeper that connects us, and I like that bit of magic.
ML: What does it mean to you to be Canadian? SB: Being Canadian means so many things to me. It means being caring, and open, and willing to embrace something new and different. It means being curious and understanding. It means smiling, and hugging, and saying “eh” once in a while.
ML: Why are Canadians unique? SB: Canadians have openness in their hearts that can be spotted from a mile away. It’s reflected in their faces and their eyes, and warms everyone in their path.
Article first published February 5, 2017. Photos courtesy of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo/Alice Blangero.
ML: How has your racing career evolved over the years?
ML: What’s the best part of life as a dancer?