September 29, 2005 - Rozsa Award Contributes to DJD Success

CALGARY, AB...At a ceremony earlier this week, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks' General Manager, Kathi Sundstrom, was named as the recipient of the 2005 Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts Management.

"I'm very honoured - and I must say a bit overwhelmed," stated Sundstrom. "I would like to thank the Rozsa family for their astounding commitment to the arts in this city and for their leadership and vision in the creation of this award. We all know that the arts contribute so much to our lives - they nurture our spirit, give voice to our creativity, celebrate or life and foster delight. I am honoured to do my small part in making them vital."

Sundstrom went on to thank her colleagues at DJD, in particular Artistic Director Vicki Adams Willis, as well as the dancers, administrative staff, Board of Directors and volunteers.

Created in 2002 in honour of the philanthropic efforts of Drs. Ted and Lola Rozsa, this significant award is the only one of its kind in Canada. The Rozsa Award celebrates the outstanding achievements of an individual working in the complex profession of arts management, and, at the same time, offers assistance to strengthen the recipients' organization, and thereby, the community as a whole. For further information about the award, please visit http://www.rozsafoundation.org/pages/therozsaaward.html.

Earlier this year, DJD Artistic Director Vicki Adams Willis was presented with the City of Calgary Community Achievement Award in the area of Arts, which is given to an individual Calgarian whose artistic accomplishments have brought recognition to Calgary or whose volunteer or professional involvement has contributed to developing a stronger arts community.

DJD's 2004-2005 season was its largest and most successful to date including a cross-Canada tour and sold-out Calgary performances of BULLA! A Loud Cuban Jazz Experiment. The company is currently in rehearsal for its first production PULSE, which runs at the Max Bell Theatre from January 6-14, 2006.

DJD was founded in 1984 with the objective of creating concert jazz dance that sustains the spirit and traditions of jazz. After more than two decades of work, a distinct and eclectic styles that mixes groove, African roots, rhythm, improvisation, interplay with musicians, and deeply human soul, has distinguished DJD on the international stage. DJD often performs to live music, presenting two original productions each season. Beyond the season of performances and touring, The School of Decidedly Jazz is Calgary's largest recreational dance studio, offering over 70 classes each week to over 1,000 students, ages 2-82.

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