James Kudelka
choreographer and dancer

James Kudelka is among today’s most versatile and innovative dance artists. He has choreographed for many of the world’s leading ballet companies and for smaller contemporary troupes. His creative range reflects his eclectic musical interests, command of diverse movement idioms, and commitment to working collaboratively with artists from other disciplines.

Kudelka is renowned for distinctive versions of such classics as The Nutcracker and Cinderella – signature works of the National Ballet of Canada where he served as artistic director (1996-2005). Equally, Kudelka excels in making smaller-scaled dances that are rich in psychological implication and human drama. Born in Newmarket, Ontario and trained by Canada’s National Ballet School, Kudelka began choreographing as a student and continued throughout his dancing years with the National Ballet (1972-1981) and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens (1981-1990). He began an affiliation with Toronto’s Citadel + Cie in 2006 and was resident choreographer until 2020.

As a teacher, Kudelka has worked with Vancouver Arts Umbrella, Ryerson (now Toronto Metropolitan) University, and Canada’s National Ballet School. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2005 and is among the 2020 Dance Collection Danse Hall of Fame inductees. In 2023 he received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Lifetime Achievement Award. 

For Peggy Baker Dance Projects: Peggy acquired his duet for her with Sylvain Lafortune, Romeo and Juliet before Parting, as well as commissioning the duet A Woman By A Man, and the solos Pelléas et Mélisande, and This isn't the End. James performed with Peggy in Doug Varone’s Home.