Decidedly Jazz Danceworks – Daily Classes
Class Level: All levels available
About
Mission & Vision:
OUR VISION
We are 21st Century jazz people. The DJD Dance Centre is a home for jazz dance to live and thrive. We exist to contribute meaningfully to the future of jazz dance. We are a dance hub in our city. Our community is wide and inclusive. We believe in human connection, personal expression, and the dignity of all people. We believe in dancing to music, with bent knees and movement in our torsos, we embrace improvisation, rhythmic sophistication, the individual, and the community.
OUR VALUES
Movement
Creativity
Authenticity
Equity
Honesty & Integrity
Company Info:
In 1984, Vicki Adams Willis who had founded the jazz dance department at the University of Calgary, and two of her graduating students, Michèle Moss and Hannah Stilwell, co-founded DJD to help keep the spirit of jazz alive.
The core aesthetic of DJD’s work is African-rooted, and swing-based with jazz music at its heart. Working with live music every season since 1988, DJD explores the defining aspects of rooted jazz forms and philosophies. The DJD professional company also gains inspiration from rare, like-minded international guest choreographers, and carefully nurtures choreographic talent within the company to ensure its future. The “DJD style” has evolved out of the work of the company’s founding and current artists and their vast research. As progressive historians, they are purposefully aware of and connected to the African and historical roots and spirit of jazz, as well as committed to the evolution and future of the form.
DJD honours the essential jazz relationship between dancers and musicians, and often commissions music from and performs with live musicians. Some of DJD’s collaborators include notables such as the late Big Miller, the late Tommy Banks, Mark Murphy, PJ Perry, Jackie Richardson, George Koller, Amon Tobin, Rubim de Toledo, Chris Andrew, Nick Fraser, Kristian Alexandrov and ¡Bomba!.
