Sir Kenneth MacMillan created Elite Syncopations for The Royal Ballet in 1974 during his tenure there as Artistic Director. The score features ragtime favourites by Scott Joplin and other composers of the era, played onstage by musicians participating in the dancehall scene. The choreography is flirtatious with an air of spontaneity and carries the influence of social dances of the 1920s.

Choreographic Associate Alysa Pires creates dynamic, emotionally complex works combining classical with contemporary elements. Her work for The National Ballet of Canada includes The Other Side, which she created for The International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize in 2019, and her acclaimed piece In Between, which premiered with the Choreographic Workshop in 2018 and was remounted for the MAD HOT BALLET gala performance later that year. Pires’ new work for the 2021/22 season promises more of her eclectic movement vocabulary and shines a light on Canadian choreographic talent.

This world premiere marks newly promoted Principal Dancer Siphesihle November’s choreographic debut for the company’s main stage following the short work he created for the RBC Apprentices as part of YOU dance in the 2020/21 season. A striking and joyous dancer, November frequently shares his choreography online through his social media platforms. His new work is another milestone in an exciting career that has seen him lauded as a bright light in dance today.