Robert Azevedo – Kittiwake RBC Emerging Choreographer in Residence
April 2025 – Mentorship
One of the most important elements of the RBC Foundation’s Emerging Artists funding is the opportunity for early-career artists to receive guidance and mentorship from well-established artists. Since last fall, Yukichi has been generously sharing his career experiences and advice with Robert who has now completed the studio portion of their residency and is back in Corner Brook.
February 26, 2025 – Making progress
Dancers and Robert are having a great time in the studio creating Robert’s new work, which they have titled “un-becoming.” This contemporary piece is set to premiere on June 6, 2025, at the LSPU Hall in St. John’s.
February 17, 2025 – Creation begins
After experiencing at least three seasons on their drive across the island of Newfoundland, Robert has arrived in St. John’s for the next stage of the residency. Robert and company dancers are excited to begin working on a new piece, set to premiere in the spring of 2025.
December 19, 2024 – Program Launch
Robert travelled to Stephenville in December to meet up with Yukichi Hattori and kick-off the mentoring sessions for this year’s emerging choreographer program. (Yukichi was there for Kittiwake’s production of The Nutcracker). It was a great opportunity for the pair to discuss, in person, initial topics such as music selection, how many company dancers to use in the creation process, early production matters such as costumes and lighting choices, and as well planning their studio schedules for the next couple of months. Plenty of seeds were planted.
November 12, 2024 – Announcement
Building on the first three years of success with the RBC-Kittiwake emerging choreographer program, Kittiwake is delighted to continue this vital program and announce that Robert Azevedo is our newest emerging choreographer-in-residence. Robert, who currently resides in ktaqmkuk/Corner Brook, holds a BFA in Dance and English from Simon Fraser University. They have worked with a number of dance companies and choreographers across Canada, including performing in Kittiwake’s The Nutcracker in 2023. Over the next six months, Robert will engage in mentoring with Artistic Director, Yukichi Hattori, and other established choreographers. Over the same period, they will work in studio to create a new dance piece set on Kittiwake company dancers, which will premiere in spring 2025.
Kittiwake remains deeply grateful to the RBC Foundation whose Emerging Artists Project is a multi-year funding commitment dedicated to supporting the careers and development of emerging artists, across Canada through mentoring programs, education, and providing access and exposure to new audiences.
Click here to view the chronicling of the 2023-24 Emerging Choreographer, Cassidy Boone.
Click here to view the chronicling of the 2022-23 Emerging Choreographer, Abby Rowe.
Click here to view the chronicling of the 2021-22 Emerging Choreographer, Hannah Drover.