A student from the École supérieure de ballet du Québec stands out on TV show Révolution
At barely 15 years of age, Sophie Houle, a student at the École supérieure de ballet du Québec, distinguished herself with an exceptional performance on pointe on the TVA program Révolution, broadcast this sunday. The École supérieure is proud to support her participation in the famous television competition. A worthy ambassador of ballet, Sophie impressed the judges with her technique, interpretation and ability to renew the classical genre.
During the "La Rentrée TVA" special program, Révolution judge Jean-Marc Généreux expressed his esteem for Sophie: "She's a virtuoso. You can't imagine how far she's pushed her art, at such a young age (...) She's becoming a complete artist."
While several former students of the École supérieure have already performed on Révolution – including Katerine Leblanc (winner of season 1 with the duo Team White) and Janie Richard (winner of season 2 with her partner Marcio) – this is the first time the institution has played an official support role for one of its students taking part in the show. Sophie benefited from the invaluable guidance of former dancer and choreographer Gaby Baars, an internationally renowned artist and teacher at the École supérieure, who has danced with the Netherlands Dans Theatre and Les Ballets de Monte Carlo. The École supérieure also enlisted the help of a shoemaker who prepared specially adapted pointe shoes for Sophie to dance on the TV show’s floor.
Sophie Houle is part of a prodigious cohort who has come through the ordeals of the pandemic with resilience and determination, and who is pursuing the ardent dream of joining a major dance company. Anik Bissonnette, Artistic Director of the École supérieure, point out that "the whole school is proud to see Sophie evolve daily in her learning. The immense talent she shares with her extraordinary classmates is supported by training that respects the highest standards of today's ballet, in the spirit of an ever-evolving tradition. Ballet remains an incredible gateway to the world of professional dance for all young artists who dream of a fulfilling career."
The École supérieure wishes Sophie Houle the best of luck in her journey on Révolution.
Update - November 20, 2023
Sophie Houle represented the ballet discipline particularly well, while delivering an interpretation rooted in freedom and modernity. She won three rounds of the televised competition with flying colors, and impressed the masters with her impeccable technique, coupled with a sensitivity and creativity rarely seen in classical dancers who have appeared on the show. Sophie's journey on Révolution came to a close with the "Duos improbables" round, where she once again delivered an exceptional performance.
The École supérieure team warmly congratulates Sophie Houle on her achievements. She has undoubtedly been a magnificent and inspiring ambassador for the École supérieure de ballet du Québec.
© Catherine Forget - Révolution
© Catherine Forget - Révolution
About the École supérieure
The École supérieure de ballet du Québec’s mission is to train dancers and creators meeting the highest criteria in the world of professional dance, in so doing, to promote the recognition, outreach and development of dance. Founded in 1952 by Ludmilla Chiriaeff and incorporated in 1966 at the request of Québec’s Ministère des Affaires culturelles, it is the reference in Québec for professional training in classical dance. The École supérieure is affiliated with Les Grands Ballets canadiens. It carries out its mission thanks to an annual grant from the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec and financial support from the Department of Canadian Heritage. A member of the Association des écoles supérieures d’art du Québec, L’École supérieure also acknowledges the collaboration of its educational partners, the Cégep du Vieux Montréal and the Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie.