Cameron Fraser-Monroe
Cameron Fraser-Monroe | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1999 Vernon, British Columbia, Canada |
| Occupations | Dancer and choreographer |
| Website | cameronfm |
Cameron Fraser-Monroe (born c. 1999) is an Tla'amin Canadian ballet choreographer and dancer.[1][2] He has performed with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada, and currently serves as a choreographer for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
Fraser-Monroe was born circa 1999 and grew up in Vernon, British Columbia,[3][4] a member of the Tla'amin Nation.[1] He began dancing at age three, later studying Ukrainian dance, hooping, grass dance, and ballet.[2][3] While attending high school in Kelowna, he auditioned for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School "on a whim" and received a scholarship,[4] graduating in 2017.[5] He has also trained at the Toronto Actors Studio.[1]
After working with other companies, Fraser-Monroe joined the Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada in 2020, where he was the only First Nations ballet dancer performing with a professional company in Canada at the time.[3]
Fraser-Monroe later switched to choreography, focusing primarily on ballet and working with companies including the National Ballet of Canada and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. In 2022, Fraser-Monroe became the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's first Choreographer in Residence in 20 years.[2] In 2024, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet premiered his full-length ballet, T’el: The Wild Man of the Woods, making him the first Indigenous person to choreograph a full-length ballet for a major company.[1] Adapted from a story from his childhood, the work features Indigenous artists on the creative team and narration by Tla’amin knowledge keeper Elsie Paul in both English and Ayajuthem.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e Schabas, Martha (January 26, 2026). "The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, on the (Bumpy) Road to Reconciliation". New York Times. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Cameron Fraser-Monroe – Indigenous Artist". Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance. February 24, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ a b c Woolley, Pieta (November 2020). "Ballet needs Tla'amin's Cameron Fraser-Monroe". Powell River Living. Retrieved January 27, 2026 – via Issuu.
- ^ a b Perkins Deneault, Tessa (February 11, 2023). "Of Two Worlds: Bringing traditional Indigenous dance to contemporary ballet". Vancouver Ballet Society. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ "The secret to excellence: Why this Indigenous Royal Winnipeg Ballet student is keeping his options open". CBC Radio. February 5, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2026.