Ilona Copen
During her lifetime, Ilona Copen worked tirelessly to unite dancers throughout the world and to encourage and educate young dancers. She was deeply committed to inspiring and changing their lives. A wise and experienced leader, she combined professional excellence with warmth and generosity. It was always her hope that NYIBC participants would go home better dancers and better people. In addition to her full-time position as Executive Director of NYIBC, Ms. Copen was a Board member of World Dance Alliance. As President of the International Theatre Institute's International Dance Committee, she created an extraordinary annual celebration of International Dance Day at UNESCO. She also served as an invaluable Board member and advisor to numerous dance companies and artists. Giving back was at the core of everything she did. Ms. Copen radiated the vitality of a dancer. She always reminded us, with boundless energy and zeal, that dance is a natural and essential form of expression to be practiced and enjoyed by everyone.
Ilona Copen Award
The Ilona Copen Award is an honorary award, celebrating the significant contribution to the ballet field by an individual, company or institution who or which provides young ballet dancers with: the finest educational, mentoring and cultural experiences; inspiration and encouragement to advance their careers to their fullest potential, raising their artistry and stimulating their growth as individual human beings.
Honorees 2011
The first Ilona Copen Award was presented at the NYIBC Gala on March 22, 2011. Virginia Johnson, Artistic Director of Dance Theatre of Harlem, presented the award to Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux of North Carolina Dance Theatre.
Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. Photo: Roger Ball
The beaming recipients accepted the award and had an incredible evening of fun, dance and friends at the dinner dance in their honor.
Patricia McBride, Marcia De La Garza, Eleanor D'Antuono and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. Photo: Sandra Guzman 2dreamartists