40th Anniversary
The École de danse contemporaine de Montréal celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2021.
EDCM, THE STORY OF A DREAM
Specializing in contemporary dance training, EDCM is the first Quebec institution to professionally train dancers outside of the classical tradition. It is intended to be a fertile ground for research and artistic development as well as the emergence of new trends.
It is in 1981 that the idea of initiating training in modern and, later, contemporary dance, imposed itself on Linda Rabin and the late Candace Loubert.
“Candace and I wanted to integrate, on stage, the expressiveness and the interiority of our being with the technical strength. This has been the aim of the school since its foundation–to bring these two aspects into its training. We arrived at the right time because there was a need in Canada for training centers.” – Linda Rabin, co-founder and former co-director of LADMMI
Candace and Linda founded Les Ateliers de danse moderne de Montréal inc. in the iconic Belgo building. They opt for an innovative approach based on physical training, the creative process and somatic techniques. The institution’s soul is greatly imbued with the techniques developed by the greatest names in dance (Martha Graham, José Limon, F. Mathias Alexander, Elaine Summers, etc.) and with the welcoming of internationally renowned masters.
Linda Rabin: Planning a School (Part 1): English subtitles available | See also Linda Rabin: A Life of Movement (Part 2)
REVEALING SEVERAL GENERATIONS OF DANCE PERFORMERS
With the goal of bringing each individual to their full artistic and technical potential, EDCM has trained more than 400 professional dancers who have distinguished themselves on national and international scenes. Now located in the Wilder-Espace Danse building, in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles, the school continues the work of its founders according to the same philosophical lines, always seeking modernity and renewal.
“Throughout its history, EDCM has been defined by risk-taking and creativity. The adaptability and open-mindedness that characterize EDCM have always allowed it to shape and respond to the changing conditions of dance practice. This leading-edge approach remains essential to reinforce its specificity in the ecology of contemporary dance” – Yves Rocray, Executive Director
“In order to train embodied, successful and unique dancers, EDCM pays equal attention to the framework and the content with regard to each individual in training. Encountering some forty professional artists allows each student to explore and discover their own field of virtuosity. This approach provokes a transformation from which emerges a singular and plural dancer.” – Lucie Boissinot, Artistic & Program Director (2005-2023)
English subtitles available
ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
Linda Rabin & Candace Loubert, Founders of the School | Photo: Robert Etcheverry
Linda Rabin, CM, co-founder and former co-director of LADMMI, now the École de danse contemporaine de Montréal, has been teaching movement for over 50 years. A Juilliard School graduate, she first worked as a rehearsal director and teacher for the Batsheva Company in Israel and the Rambert Ballet in London, then became a teacher and choreographer for various companies, schools and university programs in Canada. A pioneer in Canadian dance, she has contributed to the emergence of several generations of dancers in this country. As a Canadian dance pioneer, Linda has contributed to the emergence of several generations of dancers in this country. In 2018, Linda Rabin was awarded as a Distinguished Member in the Order of Excellence in Education by Québec government. She was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in 2019. In 2020, she received an honorary Award from Les Prix de la Danse de Montréal, recognizing her invaluable contribution to the art of dance through patronage. In 2022, she received the Governor General’s Lifetime Achievement in the Performing Arts Award for Dance.
Originally from Northern Ontario, Candace Loubert received ballet training that took her early on to stages across Europe, where she toured with numerous companies. In Canada, she danced for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal for five years, after which she co-founded LADMMI, now the École de danse contemporaine de Montréal, for which she assumes the artistic direction until 1996. In 2011, Candace Loubert passed away after a long illness.
HISTORY
- In 1981, Linda Rabin and Candace Loubert founded the Linda Rabin Danse Moderne school in the Le Belgo building in Montreal.
- In 1984, the School changed its name to Les Ateliers de danse moderne de Montréal Inc. (LADMMI) and was mandated by the Ministère des Affaires culturelles to develop professional training.
- In 1991, the School received professional college status from the Ministère de l’Éducation and three years later implemented a program leading to an Attestation of Collegial Studies.
- Since 1999, the School has been offering a Diploma of Collegial Studies in contemporary dance, in affiliation with the Cégep du Vieux Montréal.
- In 2002, the Candace-Loubert media library was inaugurated.
- In 2012, LADMMI adopted the new name École de danse contemporaine de Montréal, a name that better reflects its primary mission of training professional contemporary dancers.
- In 2014, the School offers a Teacher Training Program in Contemporary Dance which leads to an Attestation of Collegial Studies.
- In 2017, the School occupies new premises that are better suited to professional training, thanks to the Wilder Building renovation and expansion project, located in the heart of Quartier des spectacles on Place des Festivals. The School will be a part of Edifice Wilder-Espace Danse along with Les Grands Ballets, Tangente and Agora de la Danse.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Specializing in contemporary dance training, the École de danse contemporaine de Montréal (EDCM) has positioned itself as a centre of excellence in the Canadian performing arts community. Recognized for its leading-edge, rigorous training, the EDCM is fertile ground for research and artistic development as well as for the emergence of new trends. Since its founding in 1981, it has trained over 400 professional dancers, who have gone on to earn national and international recognition. The EDCM is an educational institution that is affiliated with the Cégep du Vieux Montréal and accredited by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education of Quebec.
THE SCHOOL IN A FEW FIGURES
- • Number of graduates since its creation: 414
- • Average number of applications for annual auditions: 165
- • Number of successful applicants per year: 25
- • International students: 40%
- • Average number of teachers and musicians recruited annually: 55
- • Number of productions since 1981: 248
- • International choreographers: 3 per year
- • Candace-Loubert Mediatheque: more than 5,000 documents on contemporary dance, including several works from the Quebec choreographic repertoire from the 1950s to the present day.
- • Number of clothes in the costumier: 3,000
- • Recreational courses: 1200 attendances per year