Geneviève Salbaing and the Story of Ballets Jazz Montréal: Dancing to the Rhythm of Time

Description

Geneviève Salbaing and the Story of Ballets Jazz Montréal: Dancing to the Rhythm of Time: Abstract

This case highlights the role of organizational entrepreneur Geneviève Salbaing in the creation, development and internationalization of Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal (BJM). Raised in Casablanca, the daughter of a demanding and disciplined father, Geneviève Salbaing first studied dance in Paris and later in Washington, following her marriage to Pierre Salbaing in 1942. After joining the Montreal dance troupe founded by Ludmilla Chiriaeff, she met Eva von Gencsy in 1954.

Geneviève had dreams of becoming an internationally renowned prima ballerina but was forced to quit ballet following the birth of her sons. She eagerly agreed to help Eva von Gencsy and Eddy Toussaint create a dance school and company. Their collaboration led to the founding, in 1972, of Les Ballets-Jazz Contemporains, which became Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal in 1978.

Teaching objectives

• Become more familiar with the different aspects of entrepreneurship in the cultural sector.
• Recognize, identify and understand the steps and activities involved in the process of creating and developing a company, particularly in the arts and cultural sector.
• Understand the distinctive features of entrepreneurial expression in the arts and cultural sector.
• Reflect on the interactions and complementary relationships between the artist-partners, on the one hand, and the entrepreneurs and managers, on the other.

Main themes covered

• Cultural entrepreneurship
• Creation of cultural organizations
• Creation of cultural opportunities
• Development of cultural organizations
• Management of cultural organizations
• Partnership
• Internationalization of cultural organizations
• Leadership
• Cultural co-leadership
• Growth in cultural organizations
• Innovation in cultural products
• Cultural sector and philanthropy

Concepts and theories related to the case

• Needs analysis
• Developing innovative projects
• Creation of opportunities
• Creation of cultural organizations
• Development of cultural organizations
• Internationalization of cultural organizations
• Entrepreneurial, managerial and strategic expertise
• Female entrepreneurship
• Partnership
• Cultural co-leadership
• Developing and sharing a vision
• Management of creative self-spaces
• Management of philanthropy

Additional information

Also available in French.

Teaching notes are available for teachers only. Contact the HEC Montréal Case Centre for more information.