David HABER

HABER, David
On September 21, 2008, David Haber died peacefully with his lifetime companion of 41 years, Dr. Didier Piot at his side at the Texas Heart Institute in Houston, Texas.
He was was born in Montreal in 1927 and in 1948, began his illustrious career as impresario and artist manager in Ottawa with the Canadian Repertory Theatre Company. He moved to the William Morris Agency in New York where his clients included Marlene Dietrich, John Gielgud and Mahalia Jackson among others. He then produced the International Arts Festival for EXPO 67, became the Programming Director for the newly minted National Arts Centre in Ottawa during which time, he also founded the Touring Office of the Canada Council. He became the Artist Director of The National Ballet of Canada and then returned to artist management representing clients such as Canadian Brass, Karen Kain, Frank Augustyn, Erik Bruhn and Famous People Players among others. He then produced the International Arts Festival for the World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee and was co-producer of the Toronto International Festival in 1984. He became a consultant for the International Arts Festival for the World's Fair in Vancouver. He also worked as a consultant for the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington DC and the Houston International Arts Festival.
In his later years David dedicated himself to producing events to raise funds for HIV research and AMFAR and always continued to help the Houston Ballet School.
One of the key figures in the establishment of the cultural scene in Canada, David's passion and commitment to the arts, along with his remarkable intelligence, vision and wild sense of humour made him a magnet for young people working in the arts. Many of the people David mentored became successful arts administrators around the world and all remained fiercely loyal to him as well as becoming part of his treasured extended family.
A private service will be held in Houston.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the David Haber and Dr. Didier Piot Scholarship Fund at the Houston Ballet Academy, Houston Ballet, P.O. Box 130487, Houston, TX 77219 www.houstonballet.org 1.713.535.3213.