Victor M. Melnikoff, C.M.

A Canadian citizen born in Shanghai, China, Victor Melnikoff was raised in San Francisco and Montreal. A graduate of McGill University Law Faculty, Mr. Melnikoff is a member of the Québec Bar Association as well as the Canadian Bar Association. His specialty lies in corporate law, administration and "Entertainment Law". As a result of the latter expertise, Mr. Melnikoff has produced and staged many cultural events in Canada and abroad.

In October of 1992 Mr. Melnikoff received the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian culture. On November 30, 1992, the Governor General of Canada awarded Mr. Melnikoff the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation "in recognition of this significant contribution to Canada and to his fellow Canadians".  And in 2002, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Gold Medal by Her Majesty--also for his "significant contribution to Canada, to his community and to his fellow Canadians".

Mr. Melnikoff has also received several prestigious awards from Russia in honor of his cultural efforts. In 1990 Mr. Melnikoff received a special award from Russia's Ministry of Culture and from Russia's Children's Fund for helping to organize and stage the first "Telethon of Stars" in Russia to raise funds for sick children. In October of 1997 he was awarded the prestigious Diaghilev Medal for his contribution and advancement of dance on a world-wide level.  And in 2006, The Russian Ambassador to Canada presented him the Russian Cultural Foundation Award (by The Russian Federation) for promoting Russian culture and artists on an international level.  

Mr. Melnikoff has a long association with the performing arts in Canada and abroad. In the 1980s he was a founding member and legal counsel to Theatre Lyrichoregra 20, a non-profit theatrical organization dedicated to the lyric art form. From 1980 to 1987 Mr. Melnikoff served as Vice-president of the Board of Directors of the Ballet de Montréal. During this period he spearheaded the expansion of the company to international venues and headed many successful fundraising efforts.

He is the founder, President, Producer and Director-General of "Le Gala des Étoiles" which is an annual Gala of international dance stars. This event has become an international cultural tradition and has received world recognition and acclaim as the world's "summit" of classical and contemporary dance. Le Gala des Étoiles has been staged in Montreal (where it is based), the United States, Europe, Israel,  Mexico, Japan and Greece.  It is the only major touring Gala of international dance stars in the world.

Read More About Le Gala des Étoiles in LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE