THE 2025 WINNERS OF THE FIFTEENTH PRIX DE LA DANSE DE MONTRÉAL

LES PRIX DE LA DANSE DE MONTRÉAL (PDM) announced the award winners of the 2024-2025 artistic season today. Under the honorary presidency of Sophie Michaud, artistic adviser and winner of the 2024 Ethel Bruneau prize, the ceremony was held at the William Gray Hotel under the auspices of Parcours Danse. The event, attended by many artists and personalities from the dance world, was hosted by Anik Bissonnette, artistic director of l’École supérieure de ballet de Québec and winner of last year’s Contribution exceptionnelle prize. For this 15th edition, a total of 11 prizes were awarded. This 15th edition marks an important turning point for the Prix de la danse de Montréal, with a change in its board of directors. Taking over from Marie Chouinard as chair, Mélanie Demers, choreographer and artistic director of MAYDAY, is driven by a desire to promote Montreal and its artists in all their diversity and complexity. Marie Chouinard had brilliantly carried out the role of founder and visionary head of the board since 2011, embodying the excellence and influence that distinguish the PDM.

PEEPING TOM

The GRAND PRIX de la danse de Montréal 2025,

presented by Québecor and Ville de Montréal

FRÉDÉRIQUE RODIER

Prix de la danse de Montréal 2025, INTERPRÈTE category,

presented by Regroupement québécois de la danse and Caisse Desjardins de la Culture

IVANIE AUBIN-MALO for her work, Wahsipekuk: Au-delà des montagnes

The 2025 Prix de la meilleure œuvre chorégraphique au Québec,

presented by the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec

CHANTAL CARON

 Prix ÉTINCELLE | PIERRE-PAUL SAVOIE 2025,

presented by an Anonymous sponsor

KIRA ARTS - Aly Keita

Prix ENVOL 2025,

presented by the Conseil des arts de Montréal

LINE NAULT

Prix de la danse de Montréal 2025, RÉVÉLATION category,

presented by Agora de la danse and Tangente

CLAIRE MOLINOT

Prix de la danse de Montréal 2025, GESTIONNAIRE CULTUREL·LE category,

presented by Diagramme – gestion culturelle

JOANNA ABBATT

Prix ETHEL BRUNEAU 2025,

presented by Danse Danse and Dr Sheila Linden

MARC BOIVIN

Prix de la danse de Montréal 2025, CONTRIBUTION EXCEPTIONNELLE category,

presented by Les Prix de la danse de Montréal

ARIANE VOINEAU

Prix de la danse de Montréal 2025, FAIT À QUÉBEC category,

presented by the Grand Théâtre de Québec and Groupe Danse Partout

BENT HOLLOW COMPAGNIE – Clara Furey

Prix de la danse 2025, DIFFUSION INTERNATIONALE category,

presented by CINARS

The 2025 GRAND PRIX de la danse de Montréal, presented by Québecor and the City of Montreal – $25,000 

Andréanne Moreau, Member of the Executive Committee and Officer in charge of Human Resources, Culture, Heritage, Design and the French language at the City of Montreal, and Sylvie Cordeau, Vice President of Philanthropy and Sponsorships at Québecor, presented this prestigious award, accompanied by a $25,000 grant, to the Belgian company Peeping Tom, for the performance Triptych, presented at Théâtre Maisonneuve as part of the Danse Danse season last April.

The international jury unanimously awarded the Grand Prix de la danse de Montréal 2025 to Peeping Tom, a Belgian company renowned for its unique artistic language that has profoundly transformed the landscape of contemporary dance theatre. By merging dance, theatre, acrobatics, and raw emotion, Peeping Tom has created a world that is both surreal and deeply human, where everyday scenes shift into dreamlike, unsettling realms.

For more than 20 years, through landmark works such as Le Jardin, Le Salon, Le Sous Sol, 32 rue Vandenbranden, Vader, Moeder, Kind, Diptych, and Triptych, the company has forged an artistic path of remarkable coherence and audacity. A true beacon for contemporary creation, Peeping Tom continues to inspire generations of artists by pushing the boundaries of dance and theatre. With Triptych, Peeping Tom reaffirms its mastery of a total art form in which movement, lighting, set design, and sound intertwine in a profoundly human experience.

The Prix de la danse de Montréal 2025, INTERPRÈTE category, presented by the Regroupement québécois de la danse (RQD) and Caisse Desjardins de la Culture – $10,000

The 2025 Prix de la danse de Montréal in the INTERPRÈTE category, offered by the Regroupement québécois de la danse and Caisse Desjardins de la Culture, was awarded to dancer Frédérique Rodier, accompanied by a $10,000 grant. The prize was presented by Parise Mongrain, executive director of the Regroupement québécois de la danse, and Marie-Christine Cojocaru, general manager of Caisse Desjardins de la Culture.

The jury members unanimously awarded the 2025 INTERPRÈTE prize to Frédérique Rodier. Active on Montreal stages for several years, Frédérique made a notable mark in the 2024-2025 season in three major works: BOGOTÁ and Réplica by Andrea Peña, and The Rise of the BlingBling by Philippe Boutin, creations that revealed her exceptional versatility and virtuosity. Fully committed, with precision and sensitivity, Frédérique exerts a real fascination, combining strength, intensity, and emotional intelligence.

The 2025 Prix de la meilleure œuvre chorégraphique au Québec of the 2024-2025 artistic season – $10,000 

Ivanie Aubin-Malo is the recipient of this award offered by the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) for her work, Wahsipekuk : Au delà des montagnes, which was presented in November 2024, part of the Agora de la danse season.

Ivanie Aubin-Malo’s Wahsipekuk : Au delà des montagnes (Beyond the Mountains) is powerful in its spiritual, cultural, and poetic dimensions. Enhanced by magnificent lighting and the moving presence of musicians on stage, the work boldly explores current themes such as cultural integrity and the return of matriarchal values. Through an approach that is decolonial as well as deeply human, Ivanie establishes a strong connection between tradition and contemporary life.

The Prix ÉTINCELLE PIERRE-PAUL SAVOIE 2025, presented by an anonymous patron – $5,000

The ÉTINCELLE | PIERRE-PAUL SAVOIE award, presented for the fourth consecutive year, is generously supported this year by an anonymous patron. The award, which includes a $5,000 grant as well as 50 hours of studio time offered by the Espace de création Pierre-Paul Savoie, continues the momentum and spirit of the tribute to the choreographer.

The jury awards the 2025 ÉTINCELLE | PIERRE-PAUL SAVOIE prize to Chantal Caron, a true force of nature. A pioneer of site-specific dance in Quebec, she makes art and the environment interact by transforming nature into a stage and dance into a living exchange with the world. Through her creations rooted on the shores of the St. Lawrence River and her internationally acclaimed short films, she embodies the values of commitment, integrity, and generosity that are at the heart of this prize. 

The Prix ENVOL 2025, presented by the Conseil des arts de Montréal – $10,000

The Prix ENVOL, awarded by an independent jury and accompanied by a $10,000 cash prize, was presented to Kira Arts by Nathalie Maillé, executive director of the Conseil des arts de Montréal.

Multidisciplinary artist and founder of Kira Arts, Aly Keita boldly reinvents Guinean traditions, integrating it with contemporary dance, music, and circus arts. His works Djata, Altération, and Nimba, presented in Quebec and in Guinea, bridge cultures, disciplines, and generations. By its community projects and deeply human approach, Kira Arts embodies a vision of dance as a language of transmission and dialogue that fully reflects the spirit of the Prix Envol.

The Prix de la danse de Montréal 2025, catégorie RÉVÉLATION, presented by Agora de la danse and Tangente – $5,000

The 2025 Prix de la danse de Montréal, REVELATION category, offered by Agora de la danse and Tangente, was awarded to Líne Nault. The prize was presented by Marie-Josée Beaubien, Programming Assistant at Agora de la danse, and Julie Deschênes, Executive Director at Tangente. This award includes a $5,000 cash prize, along with a one-week creation residency at Agora.

With Récits-Récif, presented at Agora de la danse in December 2024, Line Nault offers a poetic exploration of bodies and places in which performance and technology intertwine with finesse. In this mature work, the artist combines somatic precision and bodily sensitivity to create a language woven from memories and transformations. Here, technology amplifies nature rather than supplanting it, giving rise to a radically sensory human experience.

The Prix de la danse de Montréal 2025, catégorie GESTIONNAIRE CULTUREL·LE, presented by Diagramme – gestion culturelle – $5,000

The 2025 Prix de la danse de Montréal in the GESTIONNAIRE·S CULTUREL·LE·S category, offered by Diagramme – gestion culturelle and accompanied by a $5,000 cash prize, was presented to Claire Molinot by Marie-Claude Poliquin, chair of Diagramme’s board of directors.

The jury salutes Claire Molinot’s steadfast commitment to Parbleux, where she has worked for over a decade with dedication, generosity, and passion. Her inspiring leadership, combining innovation, creativity, and a strong sense of collective unity and common purpose, contributes to the long-term promotion and impact of dance. Often working behind the scenes with remarkable effectiveness, she fully embodies the values of collaboration and sharing that enrich the artistic community.

The Prix Ethel Bruneau 2025, presented by Danse Danse and Dr Sheila Linden – $5,000

For the next five years, the prix Ethel Bruneau will be presented by Danse Danse and Dr. Sheila Linden in memory of Eva Von Gencsy. This award shines a light on dance artists and artisans, whose contributions are often little known. Accompanied by a $5,000 grant, the 2025 Prix Ethel Bruneau was presented to Joanna Abbatt.

For many years, the caring, expert guidance of Joanna Abbatt, coach and consultant in body re-education, has contributed to maintaining the vitality of dancers. By combining theoretical knowledge with a deep understanding of the body, she has enabled artists to regain balance, confidence, and freedom. With her exceptionally precise eye and quiet strength, Joanna has advanced the longevity and well-being of several generations of dancers.

The Prix de la danse de Montréal 2025, CONTRIBUTION EXCEPTIONNELLE category, offered by the board of directors of the Prix de la danse de Montréal

Cloé Pluquet, member of the board of directors of the Prix de la danse, presented this award to Marc Boivin, dancer and teacher.

The Board of Directors of the Prix de la danse chose to honour Marc Boivin, an iconic figure of contemporary dance in Montreal and in Canada, for his commitment and remarkable career. An exceptional performer for major choreographers such as Ginette Laurin and Jean-Pierre Perreault, he has impressed audiences around the world with his magnetism and depth. A much-respected teacher and inspiring mentor, he has trained several generations of artists while actively contributing to the vitality and cohesion of the dance community. Generous, a unifying leader, and a visionary, Marc Boivin perfectly embodies the spirit of transmission and leadership that animates dance today.

The Prix de la danse de Montréal 2025, DIFFUSION INTERNATIONALE category, presented by CINARS – $5,000

The Prix de la danse 2025, Diffusion Internationale category, is awarded by CINARS to the artist or company that has most distinguished themselves abroad by the quality and impact of their tours. Gilles Doré, executive director of CINARS, presented the prize, accompanied by a $5,000 grant, to Bent Hollow, represented by Clara Furey, for the company’s exceptional tour of Dog Rising and UNARMOURED. With 11 performances in 11 cities in 6 countries—Bulgaria, Austria, Canada (Montreal), Germany, Italy, and Belgium—between July 2024 and March 2025, the company showcased Quebec dance on the international stage. 

The jury highlighted the Bent Hollow company’s ambitious vision, its deep commitment to practice, and its long-term development strategy, along with the recognition it has garnered here and abroad—excellence that was unanimously acknowledged.

Le Prix FAIT À QUÉBEC 2025, offered by the Grand Théâtre de Québec and Groupe Danse Partout – $5000

Ariane Voineau received the Prix FAIT À QUÉBEC, accompanied by a $5,000 grant from Steve Huot, executive director of Groupe Danse Partout, and Jean-Claude Anto, Director of Programming of the Grand Théâtre de Québec.

The jury presented the Prix Fait à Québec to Ariane Voineau, an accomplished artist deeply involved in her community. Performer, choreographer, mentor, and artistic adviser, she is known for her ability to bring people together and for her exemplary work ethic. As co-executive director and artistic director of L’Artère, she plays an active role in supporting emerging artists. Ariane stands out by her sensitivity, generosity, and commitment to advancing the entire dance community. She embodies an inspiring model for artists who make dance shine in Quebec City.

---

LES PDM

Established in 2011 by choreographer Marie Chouinard, the PRIX DE LA DANSE DE MONTRÉAL, now in its 15th edition, celebrates the excellence of dance artists who have performed on Quebec stages during the 2024-2025 season. The PRIX DE LA DANSE also salutes the managers and other individuals who contribute to the visibility of the discipline. Finally, the awards aim to reaffirm Montreal’s dynamism as a capital of dance and its international impact. To carry out this mission, Mélanie Demers, choreographer, artistic director at MAYDAY, and the new chair of the PDM board of directors, is joined by prominent figures from the dance community who sit on the board. The secretary is Cloé Pluquet, communications and philanthropy director of Circuit-Est centre chorégraphique; the treasurer is Yves Rocray, executive director of l’École de danse contemporaine de Montréal; the four other members of the board are: Marie-Christine Cojocaru, general manager of Caisse Desjardins de la Culture; Pierre Des Marais, executive and artistic director of Danse Danse; Sylviane Martineau, arts management consultant; and Caroline Laurin-Beaucage, choreographer and dance teacher at UQAM.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We extend our sincere thanks to the Conseil des arts de Montréal, Caisse Desjardins de la Culture, the Ville de Montréal and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec for making this event possible.

LES PRIX DE LA DANSE DE MONTRÉAL 2025 wishes to warmly thank its partners for their generous collaboration: Québecor, the City of Montreal, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Conseil des arts de Montréal, Caisse Desjardins de la Culture, the Regroupement québécois de la danse, Agora de la danse, Tangente, Diagramme – gestion culturelle, Danse Danse, CINARS, PPS Danse, Groupe Danse Partout, and the Grand Théâtre de Québec. In addition, we thank the following presenters, in Montreal: Agora de la danse, Festival TransAmériques, Montréal, arts interculturels (MAI), Tangente, La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines, Danse Danse, Studio 303, Usine C, OFFTA, Festival Quartiers Danses, Place des Arts, and Danse-Cité; and in Quebec City, the Maison pour la danse and the Grand Théâtre de Québec.