Spotlight - Jo-Ann Sundermeier

The Pompano Beach, Florida native auditioned for many ballet schools in the United States before deciding to train at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB). That decision was partially influenced by former RWB company dancer, Lissette Salgado.

“[Salgado] had trained with my dance instructor in Miami,” says Sundermeier. “She suggested to my teacher that any students interested in furthering their training should send in videos to the RWB. I took that advice and got accepted into their five-week summer program.”

The RWB has one of the best reputations in North America for training, and Sundermeier hoped that she would be accepted into the school full-time. Instructors at the RWB took a liking to the young dancer, and she was promptly accepted into the school’s full-time Professional Division program.

“I thought I would give it a year and see what it was like. I was homesick–14 is young to be away from home–but I kept taking it one year at a time, until I just couldn’t leave!”

The tightly-knit dance community embraced Sundermeier. Although she kept her options open and considered dancing elsewhere, Sundermeier stayed in Winnipeg to pursue her professional career upon graduation from the Professional Division in 2002.

“Opportunity knocked, and I answered,” she says with a smile. “There were some injured dancers in the company, and I took over their roles. Afterwards, the director approached me and wanted to hire me.”

Sundermeier became a company apprentice in 2003 and has since moved up in the ranks as first soloist. Her first lead role with the RWB was Tinker Bell for the world premiere of Jorden Morris’ Peter Pan. She has also danced the Grand pas de deux in Nutcracker, Blue Bird and the Fairy of Diamonds in The Sleeping Beauty, and the Fairy Godmother in Val Caniparoli’s A Cinderella Story.

Sundermeier strives every day to take her dance career to the next level and become a principal dancer at the RWB.

“There’s a certain level of artistry that goes along with being named a principal dancer. It means that you’ve found a way to connect with the audience, and the audience is touched by your dancing.”

Although she is not yet a principal dancer with the RWB, Sundermeier has had the opportunity to dance the demanding lead of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake.

“I only danced in one show, but it was worth every day of work I put into it. I have always wanted to dance that role,” says Sundermeier.

Dancing with the RWB has also provided Sundermeier with the opportunity to travel the world. Her first tour was to China, and she is looking forward to joining the company on its first overseas tour in seven years this October to Israel. Sundermeier is also looking forward to the upcoming season and the world premiere of choreographer Shawn Hounsell’s Wonderland in March 2011.

“Working on Wonderland has been a great experience. Because it has never been done before, you get to feel as though you’re a part of the working process.”

After an amazing 70th anniversary season, the RWB’s 71st season is sure to be impressive. Aside from dancing in Wonderland, Sundermeier will also perform in Mark Godden’s Dracula this fall, the seasonal favourite Nutcracker, and Bright Lights, Big City in the spring of 2011.

“With the economy the way it is, people are always holding back on spending. But if it’s something new, and not your ‘typical classic ballet,’ people want to see what it’s all about.”

As Sundermeier’s position with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet continues to evolve, one thing that remains unchanged is her passion for dance.

“Ballet has been a part of my life since I was itty-bitty. It’s going to stick with me no matter what.”

Although she has had highs and lows during her dance career, Sundermeier has never had a moment that has turned her off from dancing. She hopes to continue being a part of the dance world for years to come.

“It all pays off in the end when I go on stage, and I’m in the moment. I would never consider stopping unless my body took over and told me to stop.”