Vaira Dundure
1953–2013
Choreographer, dance educator
Born 20 September 1953 in Valmiera. Studied at Valmiera Primary School No 1 and danced with teacher Rita Liepiņa.
She continued her education at Valmiera Viesturs Secondary School and danced in the school’s dance group with Vija Damberga, attending ballroom dancing and sports classes. Graduated with honours from the Rīga Cultural and Education Workers’ Technical College (1974–1976) and continued her studies at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian State Conservatoire (1977–1981), obtaining a degree in choreography. During her studies, gained experience dancing in the studio of the Daile (Beauty) State dance ensemble with Baiba Jekšiņa and Dailonis Rudovics. Embarked on postgraduate studies at the Moscow State Institute of Dramatic Art (1983–1986).
Her career was linked with her native Valmiera – Dundure was a movement consultant at the Sprīdītis Viesturs Secondary School pupils’ theatre (1981–1985) and property master at the State Valmiera Drama Theatre (1972–1975). Putting her outstanding organisational skills to use, has been involved in the development of Valmiera’s cultural scene: Artistic Director of the Valmiera Cultural Centre (1995–1999), from 2000, Director of the Valmiera Cultural Centre and a city councillor. Dundure was the soul of Valmiera the cultural scene who worked selflessly so that residents of Valmiera could enjoy a magnificent, diverse and high-quality cultural programme.
The other pursuit close to the artist’s heart was dance and working with the middle-generation dance group of the Gauja Valmiera Culture Centre folk-dance ensemble (from 1975). With its special Latvian folk dance programme and the production Mičošana, Gauja was the first Latvian dance ensemble to make a tour of the USA and Canada (1988).
Dundure started organising new-dance competitions in Valmiera (1991–1994). Later, in cooperation with the Folk Art Centre, this became a dance competition across the whole of Latvia and evolved into a tradition. Dundure has directed a number of important events – the opening ceremony of the Presidential Prize athletics competition (from 1998), the Valmiera City Festival (from 1987), Miss and Mister Valmiera competitions (2001–2003) and other events.
A Chief choreographer at the 13th Dance Celebration, Honorary Chief choreographer at the 15th Dance Celebration, Chief choreographer for Valmiera District dance groups (since 1982) and Valmiera District school dance groups (1981–2002).
