IN MOTION FACULTY 

Desiree Bortolussi

Desiree Bortolussi was born in Kelowna on the unceded territory of the Syilx/Okanagan people. As a student, she participated in training programs across North America, including Ballet Kelowna’s very own Okanagan Summer Dance Intensive. Ms. Bortolussi went on to complete her training at The Canadian School of Ballet under the direction of Mel Brown and Lori Larson. In 2012, she was offered an apprenticeship with Ballet Kelowna and was invited to join the company as a full-time artist the following year. She has been fortunate to perform works by world-renowned artists such as John Alleyne, Joe Laughlin, James Kudelka, Simone Orlando, Alysa Pires, and many more. Now in her eleventh season, Ms. Bortolussi is proud to be a part of Ballet Kelowna’s diverse repertoire; some of her favourite roles range from classical works such as Blanche Dubois in John Alleyne’s A Streetcar Named Desire, to creating the role of Lady Macbeth in Macbeth by Alysa Pires. 

McKeely Borger

McKeely Borger is a member of the Saskatchewan Métis Nation from Regina. She has pursued her dance career internationally at Adelphi University in New York under full merit scholarship, Coastal City Ballet in Vancouver, Atlanta Ballet, and in France at Le Ballet de l’Opéra-Théâtre de Metz Metropole as a soloist. She was an original cast member of the mainstage production of Mickey & the Magician at Disneyland Paris in 2016. Before returning to Canada, Ms. Borger spent two years with Ballet Palm Beach, where she had the opportunity to dance George Balanchine’s Who Cares? as the ‘One and Only.’ Embarking on her fourth year with Ballet Kelowna, she has premiered new works by Canadian artists such as Kirsten Wicklund, Kunal Ranchod, and Cameron Fraser-Monroe. Alysa Pires’ Macbeth premiere in May 2022 was a career highlight, where she found delight portraying one of The Three Witches. Ms. Borger also loves sharing the joy of movement with our community as an instructor for IN MOTION. 

Joanna Lige

Joanna Lige is a graduate of the School of Toronto Dance Theatre, a RAD Registered Teacher, a Certified Progressing Ballet Technique Instructor, a member of the Council of Ontario Dance and Drama Educators, and a member of the International Association of Dance Science and Medicine.

She grew up in Kelowna and has trained with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, The Banff Centre for the Arts, Peggy Baker Dance Projects, and SITI Theatre Company.  She has performed work by Sharon Moore, Michael Trent, Danny Grossman, Julia Sasso, Peter Chin, José Limón, Bill James, and Sarah Chase. She has also collaborated with the Evolve Arts Collective and the Body Project and was recently invited to the FACT/SF Summer Dance Lab in San Francisco.

Claudia Moore

Claudia Moore - performer, teacher and Founding Artistic Director of Moonhorse Dance Theatre (MDT) and Older & Reckless - has been a force on the Canadian dance scene since the late 70’s. After dancing with the National Ballet of Canada, Claudia  became a featured performer with the Toronto Dance Theatre and the Desrosiers Dance Theatre. Moore founded Moonhorse Dance Theatre in 1996 as a home for her dance projects. She performed commissioned works by renowned creators including James Kudelka, Lina Cruz, Peter Chin and the late Tedd Robinson and curated Older & Reckless, MDT’s internationally acclaimed series for mature dance artists who have followed their passion over a lifetime. Through Moonhorse, Claudia initiated Engaging Seniors in Dance and has been leading classes and community projects for older adults since 2013. Now a Kelowna resident, Claudia has led several community dance projects through the Rotary Centre for the Arts' Creative Aging Festivals and is honoured to serve as the Community Dance Connector for Dance West Network. 

Emily Murray

Emily Murray completed her training at Canada’s National Ballet School and was subsequently invited to attend their Post-Secondary Program. During her time at the school, and through other summer programs at the Australian Ballet School and Ballet Jörgen’s Junior Company Intensive, Ms. Murray was able to work with choreographers such as James Kudelka, Peggy Baker, Bengt Jörgen, Hannah Kiel, and Jera Wolfe. She has also had the opportunity to dance works by George Balanchine, John Neumeier, and Ramon Oller. Now in her third season with Ballet Kelowna, Ms. Murray has had the pleasure of working with many notable choreographers such as Kirsten Wicklund, Heather Dotto, and Alysa Pires.