Decidedly Jazz Danceworks

Today, we remember the extraordinary Oliver Jones (1934–2026).

A legendary pianist, composer, and one of Canada's greatest jazz artists, Oliver's music transcended generations. His unmistakable sound carried joy, tenderness, resilience, and an enduring love for jazz that will continue to inspire artists and audiences for years to come.

To honour his remarkable life and artistry, we've curated "Ode to Oliver", a playlist celebrating just a small selection of his incredible work.

Thank you, Oliver, for the music, the inspiration, and the legacy you leave behind.

🎹 Listen to Ode to Oliver here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7o8we6QrDrkLnkP2i55FYC?si=6f48d174721d4f26

☀️ Another incredible week of Summer Camp is in the books! ☀️

From creative movement to new friendships and lots of dancing, it's been such a joy to watch our campers learn, grow, and have fun together. Thanks to all of our amazing campers and teachers for a fantastic week and we can't wait to do it all again! 🤩

Photos by Maddy Faunt

We're so proud to see our co-founder, Vicki Adams Willis, featured by CTV News following the public announcement of her appointment to the Order of Canada.

A special thank you to Ian White and the CTV Calgary team for taking the time to share Vicki's story and celebrate her remarkable contributions to jazz dance in Canada.

For more than four decades, Vicki has shaped the future of jazz dance while honouring its rich history, leaving a lasting impact on artists, audiences, and communities across Canada and beyond.

Read the full story here: https://www.decidedlyjazz.com/blog/vicki-adams-willis-featured-by-ctv-following-order-of-canada-announcement/

We're hiring!

DJD is seeking a House Technician – Head Stage & Sound to join our team for the 2026–2027 season.

This seasonal, part-time position is ideal for a collaborative theatre technician with experience in theatre and dance, strong technical and administrative skills, and a passion for supporting live performance.

View the full job posting and application details here: https://www.decidedlyjazz.com/about-djd/overview/

Celebrate movement, culture, and community with Woezo Africa this July. 🌍✨

Join internationally acclaimed dance artists from Ethiopia, Angola, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Montréal for Afro Urban Dance Workshops Vol. 11, a three-part workshop series exploring Afro-diasporic dance traditions through movement, music, and cultural exchange.

From Traditional Ethiopian Dance and Kuduro to Bikutsi, Coupé-Décalé, and Azonto, these workshops are open to all experience levels, whether you're an experienced dancer or trying something completely new.

Then, continue the celebration at Light It Up: Woezo Africa's 20th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, July 25, featuring inspiring performances by international guest artists, participants from the Black Arts Development Program Dance Intensive, and local artists as Woezo Africa celebrates 20 years of uplifting African, Caribbean, and Black arts, culture, and community.

Whether you attend a workshop, the anniversary celebration, or both, it's a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate together.

Learn more and register here:
Workshops: https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/14919539803
Light it Up Tickets: https://www.thegrandyyc.ca/liu2026

Summer camp starts on Monday... here's your packing checklist! ☀️🎒

Before you head out the door, make sure you've got the essentials:

✔️ Packed lunch + snacks
✔️ Indoor shoes
✔️ Water bottle
✔️ Comfortable clothing you can move in
✔️ A healthy dose of curiosity ✨

We'll take care of the dancing, creativity, and fun, you just bring your energy and get ready for an unforgettable week!

We can't wait to see everyone at camp! 💛

Your summer plans just got way more fun. 🤩

Whether you're stepping into a dance studio for the very first time or you've been dancing for years, there's a class with your name on it.

From jazz to tap, contemporary to ballet (and plenty more), our Adult Summer Session is the perfect excuse to try something new, get moving, and reconnect with the joy of dance.

✨ Summer Session
June 29–August 13

Choose the pass that works for you and explore as many styles as you'd like.

Registration opens 7 days before each class and closes 1 hour before class time. Be sure to reserve your spot in advance as we aren't able to accommodate walk-ins.

See you in the studio!

Sign up here: https://www.decidedlyjazz.com/classes-training/classes/adult/