From Lac-Saint-Jean to Canada National Ballet: the extraordinary journey of star dancer Guillaume Côté

Recognized as one of the best dancers of his generation. Meanwhile, Guillaume Côté arrives straight from Lac-Saint-Jean, where his parents transmitted the art of ballet to him … Nevertheless, in the basement of the church of his community. Similarly, At 11, he left his native region to settle in Toronto. Moreover, Twenty-six years later, his brilliant career with the National Ballet of Canada as a star dancer ended on June 5. Furthermore, At 43, he retired from the scene, but intends to remain a key player in the artistic environment.

• Read also: Tate McRae: energy to resell

• Read also: Cultural activities to be done from June 26

Guillaume. Consequently, now a few days ago that you ended your journey with the National Ballet of Canada … Therefore, How are you? – Lac-saint-jean canada national ballet: extraordinary

I lac-saint-jean canada national ballet: extraordinary feel relieved, but I still have a big mourning to do. Meanwhile, I had a great career of 26 years, and I consider this environment as my family and my home. Consequently, On the other hand, I find a certain freedom that I love. Meanwhile, I am happy with the possibilities that come to me. However, the simple fact of having more time in front of me. For example, I had a very big year that was quite stressful. Therefore, I feel great to end my dancer’s career in such a good way and finally take a vacation in Quebec.

What motivated your departure? – Lac-saint-jean canada national ballet: extraordinary

It was my decision. For example, But in ballet, we have a fairly defined expiration date, as is the case for all athletes. In addition, It’s not something dramatic, since I have been waiting for myself for a while. Similarly, With the extreme physical rigor asked lac-saint-jean canada national ballet: extraordinary for my sport, I knew that my years had come to an end. Furthermore, When I was 40 years old, the discussion quietly started how I was going to say goodbye. However, I was lucky, I was not slowed down or arrested by an injury. Nevertheless, I feel very grateful to have been able to do my job for so long. In addition, to leave in my own words.

Bring me back to this day of June 5. In addition, How did you react to your final salvation? – Lac-saint-jean canada national ballet: extraordinary

I was surprisingly neutral in the last moments. Therefore, since I was so busy with the various projects that I was in parallel. For example, The evening before my last show. Therefore, I stayed alone in the completely empty theater of the national ballet and I completely broke out in tears. Nevertheless, It started a surge of emotions. Meanwhile, I realized that lac-saint-jean canada national ballet: extraordinary these moments would never come back. Furthermore, I still lived a fantastic day when my friends from all over the world. Nevertheless, my children and my family were present. Moreover, I was even entitled to a standing ovation of nine minutes! Meanwhile, It was very moving.

Where does your love for ballet come from? – Lac-saint-jean canada national ballet: extraordinary

Where I come from, Demetabetchouan-Lac-à-la-Croix in Lac-Saint-Jean, it was unusual as a sport. My parents decided to leave a dance school in the basement of the local church with their friend and. as I come from a large family, I was there with my cousins. I did not know that one could become a professional dancer until I listened White Nights With Mikhail Barshnikov. It changed my life: I fell in love with dance. but also with the idea of playing a character on stage. I left at the age of 11. studying in Toronto where lac-saint-jean canada national ballet: extraordinary I deepened my knowledge of this environment, which continued to fascinate myself more.

Coming from an environment where the ballet was not very popular. did you perceive it as a brake or a motivating element in your career?

It could indeed have stopped me, but I was really surrounded by a fabulous family. My parents were excellent supporters. It was when I arrived at a certain age that I understood that other boys found my passion for dance weird. but as I left quickly enough, it didn’t really affect me. I also played hockey. I was so flexible that I was put in the goals, because I could block more rings by making the big gap! (laughs) I hoped to be able to serve as an example for other young people in order to allow them to follow their passion. regardless of their interests.

In 26 years of career, what lac-saint-jean canada national ballet: extraordinary has been the most striking moment?

I would say that what struck me the most was when I danced on the stage of the Bolchoi. in Russia. Especially when I think that, with what is happening today, I doubt that I can go back one day. I had the chance to perform there. but in addition, I was able to do it in collaboration with the largest choreographer in the world. I will never forget this evening. Otherwise, what is most important to me is the moments of rehearsals. In the studio, we are a magic factory and we really create something surreal around us. It is in this place that we spend most of our time and I have magnificent memories.

What would you like people to understand ballet art, which often comes with a lot of prejudices?

It is for this reason that I created my company, on lac-saint-jean canada national ballet: extraordinary the dance side. I am proud to say that, for me, the ballet is more than a form of dance. It’s not just codes, rigidity and an elitist audience. Now, we democratize more with more open diversity; Whether it is with new voices, styles and different people. I am really excited to see the ballet transform and mix more contemporary dance and a more exploded energy. It is certain that there are always some people who are purists. but I am not the only one who wants to develop our art and make it even more accessible.

It is clear that the ballet also comes with a lot of sacrifices. both in terms of the body as in terms of personal life. Do you see the efforts you put in your career?

There have been a lot of moments when I wanted to lac-saint-jean canada national ballet: extraordinary let go of everything. go back to my hometown and find myself a much easier job. One of the biggest sacrifices for me was to leave my family. I often felt very alone; I had to rebuild a network. On the other hand. I really liked the lifestyle that you have to adopt when you choose this job: you have to be active, eat well and not consume. In addition. we cannot do this job for applause and the scene, since we spend 97 % of our time repeating and working in the shadows. I realize today that the ballet is really a very waterproof bubble. We are completely overwhelmed by our passion. Now that I go out, I make a little more the efforts I put there. I didn’t do it with resentment, but immense pleasure.

Your whole career took place in Canada. Was it a conscious choice?

I could very well have left elsewhere. I was invited to join several international companies, but I have always wanted to stay here. There is a very good potential and a positive evolution in Canada. I had a fantastic director. Karen Kain, who gave me the freedom to travel around the world and come lac-saint-jean canada national ballet: extraordinary back to the house. I admire Yannick Nézet-Séguin who, by his youth and her energy, democratizes classical music in a magnificent way. I dare hope to instill a little of this love in my turn.

You have two children who must also look forward to spending more time with their father!

My two kitties, Emma and Léo, are very important to me. Their mother, who is also a ballet dancer, always lives in Toronto. So I travel between the two. Even if I am retired, I have an active life, and they were used to a certain flexibility. It is very rare as a dancer that we take long breaks. It is said that after a day of leave, it takes two days of work to resume everything. I could not afford to take a week’s vacation. then come back and have to invest a month of fierce efforts. Right lac-saint-jean canada national ballet: extraordinary now. I have authorized myself a month and a half between my different activities; And I spend these days with my children, who are now 10 and 8 years old respectively.

As they were raised with two ballet enthusiasts, was the passion transmitted?

Oddly, they are quite jaded in front of all this! (laughs) They grew up in the back-scène with us. to see their parents dance together in front of thousands of people, and it became normal for them! My daughter loves gymnastics, and my boy is more in reading, mathematics and soccer. For the moment, they have seen too much and they have become a little too critical! (laughs)

You are now in a relationship with the singer Sophie Vaillancourt … How is your relationship?

We have been together for a few years, and it’s going very well. We share our time between Blainville, where she lives, and lac-saint-jean canada national ballet: extraordinary Toronto. We met at the Saint-Sauveur art festival, for which I am always the artistic director.

With this retreat, what is waiting for you for the future?

I want to give back to the industry in several ways. I love being the director of this festival. on the dance side, since it gives me the freedom to exhibit any style of art. It also gives me the opportunity to commission new parts of Quebec creators. I just presented Hamletin collaboration with Robert Lepage, and we had a packed room for two weeks. I really want to collaborate with him again; Some projects are already in motion. Additionally, I also like the business side. I hope to continue to develop and one day to take the direction of a big company. This year, I am just in this area in order to deepen my skills.

To see too:

lac-saint-jean canada national ballet: extraordinary