Independent Choreographer, Gaile Petursson-Hiley has contributed to the Canadian dance community for the past 30 years as dance artist, dance educator and dance creator. She was a featured dancer with Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers, Stephanie Ballard and Dancers and Pacific Ballet Theatre and has performed throughout North America, Europe and Australia.
Gaile is Co-founder and Co-director of Mouvement, Winnipeg Dance Projects along with Stephanie Ballard. Gaile is currently working on her newest creation: Creatures for dissemation in the fall of 2015. Petursson-Hileyʼs “Bronte”, was presented to the Winnipeg public in Sept. 09. “Such is the beauty of this haunting work, with Petursson-Hileyʼs mature artistry creating compassionate bonds that blur across generations of time and space.”Holly Harris, Dance Current. Her full length work “Faeries” received its highly successful world premiere in Winnipeg, in July 06. It was reviewed as a “magical debut for Mouvement, Winnipeg Dance Projects” .
As Co-founder and Co-Director of Dance Collective with Ruth Cansfield from 89-94, Gaile created over 20 original works for the repertoire of the Company. Three works commissioned by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra were premiered in the DuMaurier New Music Festival 92 and 93. Gaile has been awarded grants from Canada Council, Manitoba Arts Council and City of Winnipeg Arts Council for study, creation and production. In 1994, Gaile received the prestigious Manitoba Arts Council Major Arts Award for the creation of “Waltz”, a collaboration with composer Holly Harris and visual artist, Susan Chafe. She celebrated her 20th Anniversary
as a choreographer in 02 with the World Premiere of “Cherry Blossom Pink” in Winnipeg. Gaile is honored to act as mentor and artistic advisor for Drive Dance in Winnipeg.
Artistic Associate of the School of Contemporary Dancers Professional Program, Gaile is an outstanding master teacher with a strong commitment to the nurturing of a new generation of artists. METALLICS, created for the graduates of the School of Contemporary dancers will be presented at the Canada Dance Festival 2014 in June.
As a dance educator, Gaile has toured throughout Manitoba with the Manitoba Artists in the School Program. She has participated in the program since 1973 as both a performer and teacher. In 1998, Gaile was awarded an International Residency in the United States from the Manitoba Arts Council for her work in the Artists in the School Program.