Legacy gift helps homegrown talent meet international opportunities

How a love for dance leads to a lasting legacy

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Dr. Betty “Chrystal” Kleiman loved the arts, especially dance. Outside of her work as a beloved pediatrician in Victoria, Chrystal was a fixture at Dance Victoria performances and a regular supporter of their work.  

Before her passing in 2008, Chrystal collaborated with Dance Victoria and the Victoria Foundation to plan a legacy gift that would ensure her continued support of her passions beyond her lifetime. In 2009, her wishes came to fruition with the establishment of the Chrystal Dance Prize, which is now awarded on an annual basis.  

The dance scene in Western Canada is vibrant and robust, but for dancers who want to take their art to the next level, it’s often necessary to study abroad or to collaborate with international artists and companies. The Chrystal Dance Prize gives young dancers the opportunity to do just that, with funds awarded to young artists to study internationally or partner with international artists and companies on performances.   

“To have that international exposure is such an asset when developing as a young artist,” said Gillian Jones, Dance Victoria’s Executive Director. “The award is all about having access to international perspectives and opportunities that those dance artists wouldn’t have access to here. And those dancers can then come back and share what they’ve learned with the local community.”  

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International opportunities for dancers change their lives 

Over its now 15-year history, Chrystal’s award has helped dozens of dancers connect with artists and institutions in 23 different countries. 

One of those dancers is longtime Ballet BC company member Alexis Fletcher, who is originally from Comox and is now the co-director of the Belle Spirale Dance Projects company in Vancouver. Alexis, along with her co-director and husband Sylvain Senez, received the Chrystal Dance Award in 2024 to help develop an international co-production with Fernando Hernando Magadan, a highly esteemed Spanish dance choreographer who lives in Holland and works throughout Europe.  

“This prize is invaluable,” said Alexis. “It allowed us to expand our scope, add studio hours, and develop the production in a way that we just never would have been able to do.”  

The collaboration culminated in a performance entitled Universus, which had its world premiere in Vancouver in March, 2025. The show contains two pieces that feature eight dancers and combine choreography, spoken word, and technical design to “interweave an adventurous, interdisciplinary journey into purpose, creation, and our place among the stars.”  

Alexis, who has deep ties to Dance Victoria as a dancer and choreographer, is now looking forward to bringing Universus to Victoria in on January 16, 2026, at the McPherson Playhouse, for a performance in collaboration with the organization that made it all possible. 

“It’s a really powerful full-circle moment for us as artists, something I’m feeling really moved by,” said Alexis.  

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Gratitude for those who’ve left behind legacies of generosity 

The experience has been extra special for Alexis, knowing the prize and the resulting performance is due to the generosity and passion of someone she never had the opportunity to know. 

“It honestly just blows my mind,” she said. “The fact they cared enough to leave a legacy gift, to show such generosity for works they would never even see, I really feel so grateful. I hope that on some level they know what the impact is. It’s incredible.” 

More Canadians than ever before are making the decision to leave charitable gifts through their estate, especially via a Will. The Victoria Foundation is proud to partner with the national Will Power campaign to provide information and resources to help anyone writing a Will include charitable giving that fulfills their wishes and leaves a legacy of kindness and generosity. 

To learn more please visit willpower.ca/charities/the-victoria-foundation/.