Dance International Magazine News

Press Release: Maureen Riches Steps Down from Managing Editor of Dance International Magazine

The Vancouver Ballet Society reluctantly announces that Maureen Riches, the Managing Editor of Dance International magazine will step down after the publication of the Summer 2013 issue. Mrs. Riches has been the editor for almost 30 years and has taken the magazine from a modest black and white publication in the 1980s to the present full-coloured magazine known throughout the world as an exceptional dance magazine. Due to her diligence and perseverance, the magazine has been well supported by Canada Council and the BC Arts Council.

Mrs. Riches has chosen not to take part in a public recognition of her valued and long-standing tenure as Editor, but the Vancouver Ballet Society, which publishes the magazine, will honour her dedication and creative talents by offering a scholarship to a talented young ballet dancer at the Society’s Spring Seminar in March 2014. We say a fond farewell to an exceptional person and wish her much enjoyment for her many travel plans.

Press release for the appointment of Kaija Pepper as Editor of Dance International Magazine

     The Board of the Vancouver Ballet Society is very pleased to announce the appointment of Kaija Pepper as the new Editor of Dance International magazine.

Kaija brings many years of experience to the position as both writer and editor. She has built an extensive list of credits writing for specialist publications such as The Dance Current (Canada) and Dance Magazine (U.S.), and for Toronto-based Dance Collection Danse’s historical magazine, as well as contributing to their Encyclopedia of Theatre Dance in Canada. Dance Collection Danse published Kaija’s four books on the art form, including the co-edited Renegade Bodies: Canadian Dance in the 1970s (2012). Dance International readers know Kaija well for her long-running View from Vancouver, a quarterly report found in each issue. In addition, she contributes regularly to the national Globe and Mail newspaper and to Queen’s Quarterly journal. As an editor, she has worked with a range of material and contributors, most recently editing a series of booklets on aesthetics and criticism, a project with the Vancouver Dance Centre. Her longstanding relationship with the city’s flagship dance organization began in 1995, when she took over the editorship of their members’ publication (until 2003). Kaija also enjoys talking about dance, and can often be found at The Dance Centre leading chats with choreographers and dancers; in the Playhouse Theatre lobby interviewing artists before shows in the popular DanceHouse series; or lecturing at Simon Fraser University, where she teaches Dance History and other courses as a sessional instructor. As well, Dance Collection Danse featured Kaija as Historian of the Month in May 2010, and in 2006 she received a Banff Centre Literary Journalism award for a residency and commission. As well, she is a recipient of several grants from the Canada Council for the Arts.

We know that Kaija has a strong reputation across the country as a dedicated, knowledgeable and lively dance writer and spokesperson. “I will be an active, pro-active, engaged and approachable editor,” she says. Her stellar background in the wide spectrum of dance nationally and around the globe will serve Dance International well. The Board is delighted Kaija has agreed to accept this position, and the directors look forward with much anticipation to her tenure as Editor.

Maureen Allen, Board President, Vancouver Ballet Society

‘Queen of Dance’ Eva von Gencsy passes away at 89

 With sincere regrets, Eva von Gencsy passes away at age 89. Co-founder of Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal and teacher. A mentor and inspiration for many in Québec and beyond. Please click here for full article.

Spring Seminar 2013 photos are up!

Peruse through our Gallery to see how hard these students worked through the Seminar week!