Meet David Aylward

By Melissa Forstner


Photo by Christine Woolnough

David Aylward believes strongly in the importance of volunteerism. By day, he is the Senior Business Manager of the RBC Law Group and throughout the years he has leant his business and finance expertise to many arts organizations. We are very fortunate that for the past 9 years, David has focused his efforts on Ballet Jorgen Canada, 5 of those years as Chair of the Board. David steps down from his post this year, but speaking with him recently, it is apparent that the future of Ballet Jorgen Canada is very much in his thoughts.

Always interested in the arts, David met his wife, modern dancer Robyn Simpson, while in university. After completing her BA in Fine Arts from York University, Robyn began the modern dance company, ACE BUDDIES, with Maxine Heppner and Holly Small. David became their accountant and thus his relationship with dance began. Since that time, David has volunteered his time to help many struggling arts organizations. He sat on the board of MacBeck Studios, which specialized in dance and music education, and also did some work for T.O.TIX.

At the invitation of his great friend, Buck Henderson, David joined the Ballet Jorgen Canada board. From the beginning, he found Bengt Jorgen to be wonderfully accommodating and perceptive in his relationship with the board. The artistic side of BJC was thriving. As David became familiar with the administrative side of the company, it became apparent that if the company wanted to move forward and attract the kind of philanthropic attention that could support its vision, the board needed to take itself seriously. To that end, David began the work of attracting professionals with excellent business skills to the board. Currently, CPA Rob Brouwer chairs the Finance and Audit Committee, Jane Cooke-Lauder brings expertise in governance and strategic planning in the not-for-profit sector and Johanna Hoffman contributes marketing expertise. Attorney Mara Nickerson will serve as incoming Chair. David then set to work building consensus among board members as to how to pursue the company's vision.

David adopted a phrase once used by an arts critic, referring to Ballet Jorgen Canada as the 'little ballet company that could.' Surviving for 25 years as an owner-managed enterprise, he points out, is a tremendous accomplishment. But BJC cannot and does not want to rest there. Ballet Jorgen Canada's tours are its strength. When the company comes to small towns and cities across Canada, it aims to make its presence felt. In addition to its main-stage performances, the company works with local schools and libraries to provide education outreach, provides photography clubs with the opportunity to photograph dance, teaches master classes to aspiring local dancers, and presents Ballet in the Studio (BITS) performances to give audiences a close-up view of dance and the creative process. It is David's hope that Ballet Jorgen Canada truly enriches the communities it reaches and that return visits are anticipated with excitement. All of this is tremendously hard work. Janice Price, head of Luminato, admires Ballet Jorgen Canada's ambition. At a BJC board retreat, when she heard all that BJC was doing, she remarked that the company was 'punching way above its weight.'

David envisions a time when local car dealerships, Canadian Tire franchises, and successful local entrepreneurs work within their communities to support BJC's visit to their town, making visits by BJC self-supporting, community events that are as much a part of the culture as is life at the local arena. One example of how his vision is already a reality involves board member David Windross. David Windross is a pharmacist by profession, currently Vice President External Affairs with TEVA Canada. On a tour through Yarmouth, NS, the funding for Ballet Jorgen Canada's performance fell through. With his pharmaceutical connections, Windross found a local pharmacist so appreciative of the efforts of BJC in his community that he stepped forward with the funding necessary to allow the show to go on.

Obviously, raising funds up to the last minute is not the preferred method of operation for any arts organization. BJC already has local hubs in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ottawa, Hamilton, and Halifax which provide a secure base for tours through those communities - organizing local support, promoting BJC events, and reaching out to politicians who have come to embrace the cultural experience BJC brings to their communities. David would love to see a western hub established as well. He envisions a base in the Kelowna, BC area that would have the support of the active retirees the area attracts, or a base on Vancouver Island supported by the arts-friendly culture located there. Areas of Alberta may also be a place in which BJC could establish a more permanent presence.

David is excited about BJC's future. His commitment to volunteerism and to Ballet Jorgen Canada in particular has assured that BJC is on track to accomplish its pan-Canadian vision. As we celebrate the 25th Anniversary Season, we are immensely grateful to David Aylward for his years of service and for the business discipline that will see us into the future.