Carmen was born in Santiago, Chile to parents who were teachers and activists. At six, her family fled the country and made their way to Canada as political refugees. After spending her early adult years in South America working for the underground resistance movement, Carmen returned to Vancouver to attend the prestigious acting training program, Studio 58—where she was the only Latinx student.
Joel Ivany is an arts innovator and the multi-award-winning artistic director of opera at Banff Centre. He first took part in an opera residency at Banff and now leads it each summer, challenging us to experience opera in new ways.
Songwriter-performer iskwē was born and raised in Treaty 1 Territory, growing up in Winnipeg surrounded by an eclectic mix of musical influences—pop, rock, jazz, electronic as well as traditional Indigenous sounds. She would sing and dance all the time as a kid and took part in elementary school ...
Crystal Pite first attended Banff Centre as an inspiring dancer when she was just 16. Over the course of three decades, Crystal has been to Banff more than 14 times. Find out how Banff Centre helps her reach new heights of creativity.
