Following an extensive international search, FFDN’s Board of Directors announced the appointment of an exciting co-leadership team to take the festival into its next decade: Lily Sutherland as Festival Director & Co-CEO and Robert Binet as Artistic Director & Co-CEO.
Lily Sutherland began her career with the festival in 2018, excelling in every position she held. As FFDN’s current Executive Producer, her production skills are unsurpassed. She is known throughout the Toronto dance community for the care and attention with which she partners and collaborates, and she possesses a rich global dance network.
Robert Binet comes to FFDN from The National Ballet of Canada where he has held many significant roles, most recently as Director, Artist Development Programmes and Choreographic Associate. He is a choreographer of international renown, creating works for The National Ballet of Canada, The Royal Ballet (London), New York City Ballet, and others.
QUOTE: “We are thrilled to announce new leadership for the Fall for Dance North Festival” says Valerie Wilder, FFDN Board Chair. “Lily Sutherland, Festival Director & Co-CEO, and Robert Binet, Artistic Director & Co-CEO will together guide the future of the Festival, beginning their tenure with programming for 2025. Both leaders have extensive experience with FFDN and deeply believe in our mission of animating the Toronto community with vibrant, exciting and affordable dance. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary in the coming months and recognize the achievements of our founding Artistic Director, Ilter Ibrahimof, we look forward to embarking on a bright future with our new co-directors.
Ilter Ibrahimof, current and founding Artistic Director of FFDN, shares, “I am thrilled with the appointment of Robert and Lily as co-leaders of FFDN. Over the past 8 years, I have seen Lily’s excellence in everything she has produced. She understands FFDN inside and out, has a strong curatorial eye, and is a valued community engager. Robert has partnered with FFDN on many levels, including a major new commission, Children of Chaos, for FFDN 2017, created on a global cast of Canadian dancers working abroad. Through his Creative Action programs at The National Ballet of Canada, Robert has collaborated with us on FFDN presentations at Union Station and been an absolute delight to work with. Creating opportunities for the next generation has always been important to me and I will follow this new team with great enthusiasm. I look forward to staying in touch and supporting their vision for the future.”
Lily and Robert will step into their Festival Director, Artistic Director, and Co-CEO roles at FFDN on November 4, 2024.
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