Dancers 2008/2009 Season

	Kimberley Cooper, Artistic Associate & Resident Choreographer Kimberley Cooper has seen or danced in every DJD production since it’s birth in 1984. She has been dancing with the company since 1989 and has been Resident Choreographer/Artistic Associate since 2001. In 2002 she created her first full length work, Popular, that was produced by DJD for One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo. Since then she has co-created Velvet (2003) and iBulla! a loud Cuban Jazz Experiment (2005), with DJD co-founder Hannah Stilwell and in Charcoal & Crimson (2006) on her own for DJD. Throughout this time she has continued to dance with the company. In addition to her work with DJD she has also danced and choreographed independently. Her work has been produced locally by Dancers’ Studio West, the University of Calgary’s Program of Dance, One Yellow Rabbit, eko dance projects, Springboard Dance, in Edmonton by Alberta Dance Alliance, and in Vancouver by Dances for small Stages. In 2002 she was named Emerging Artist of the Year by Alberta Dance Alliance. In 2004 she created the dance film Distemper with director John Albanis. In 2006 the two released their next short firm Methuselah, with Jason Stroh as a co-choreographer. Both films were set to music by Amon Tobin. Her latest work wowandflutter premiered in Calgary in Januaury 2008. Kim will be creating a site specific piece in the Grain Exchange Building for the High Performance Rodeo in January 2009 called Skyscraper
	Sarisa Figueroa de Toledo, Artistic Assistant/Dancer On Maternity Leave Sarisa began her formal dance training in classical ballet at the age of seven, graduated from the Edmonton School of Ballet’s Professional Program in 1993, and has danced with Decidedly Jazz ever since (apart from a year-long sabbatical during the 2003-2004 season to pursue independent interests in theatre and dance). In addition to dancing with DJD, she has performed with One Yellow Rabbit, Springboard Dance Collective, Theatre of the Living Statue, Sage Theatre, Edmonton Festival Ballet as well as for various independent choreographers and directors. She was Artistic Director for DJD's dancer-choreographed evenings Larimer St. in 2005, root 7 in 2006 and Alchemy (Co - Artistic Director with Kimberley Cooper) in 2008 as well as Artistic Director for DJD's June production Tinge and Tone in 2008. Sarisa has also choreographed for Alberta Dance Explosions, eko dance projects and Alberta Theatre for Young People and also teaches for the DJD company and school, around Calgary and Alberta and most recently in Vada, Italy for La Bella Vita Arts.
	Catherine Hayward Catherine grew up in Winnipeg where she began dancing at the age of 5. Her dance studies led her to Ryerson University where she graduated with honours from the dance program earning her BFA. At Ryerson, Catherine had the opportunity to work with independent choreographers such as Heidi Strauss, Kathleen Rea, and Vicki St. Denys. An interest in jazz dance brought her to Calgary to train in the Pre-Professional Program at DJD. During this time she immersed herself in the Calgary community performing in Footprints, the DJD school tour Live and in Sync, Alberta Dance Explosion, Shift, The Fluid Festival and eko dance projects. Catherine's love of jazz dance has most recently taken her to Sweden to study Lindy Hop. Catherine is excited to be in her second season dancing with DJD
	Shayne Johnson, Apprentice Dancer Shayne began his dance training at the young age of five in Tap and Jazz and by the time he was ten, had started training competitively in Ballet and Musical Theatre. His professional career started at the age of 12 starring on Super Dave’s All Star Show as a Tap soloist special guest. Since then he has studied across North America winning numerous scholarships to train at some of the best schools in Canada and abroad including The Banff School of Performing Arts, The Edge in LA and Joe Tremaine Academy. At age 15, Shayne won the title of BC Provincial Champion in the category of Stage work and Tap and shortly afterwards, was accepted to join the Canadian National Tap Team under the direction of Matthew Clark, which included a performance with the Ensemble of Savion Glover’s Bring In The Noise, Bring in The Funk. Over the next three years, Shayne became a member of the Grizzles Extreme Dance Team for NBA Entertainment, starred as the ‘Rock Star’ in the Pop group XLR-8 for the hit show Cirque Pop 2K2 and appeared on television variety shows, and many Fashion Industrials. It was during this time he realized his passion for choreographing and teaching students of all ages.After graduating from high school, Shayne was hired by Norwegian Cruise Lines as a Dancer in 2003 and since then, has been hired for Performance Contracts, as Dance Captain, and for directing and installing brand new shows on board their biggest ships. He recently just finished choreographing a brand new Welcome Aboard Show for the Company. Shayne is very excited to be a part of the faculty at Premiere Dance Studio this year and working with all the talent in this 2008/09 season. He is brand new to Calgary, and after studying with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks’ Professional Program this Fall, was asked to join the company for twentyfive.
	Dinou Marlett-Stuart, Dancer After dancing for 12 years in Calgary, Dinou traveled to England to attend Performer's Dance College where she completed a three-year degree programme and continued to dance professionally throughout England for two years in many lead roles in original productions. Since returning to Calgary in 1994, Dinou has been teaching, as well as producing, choreographing and performing in various projects such as Calgary Cares and Alberta Dance Explosions. She was a guest artist in the DJD school show Live and in Sync (2001) and Kimberley Cooper’s Popular (2001) for OYR's High Performance Rodeo. She understudied roles in Perched on the Edge of a Quarter Note (2002) and was a full-time company member from 2002-04. Dinou was blessed with a daughter in October 2004 and since then has had a chance to work with Kimberley Cooper as a dancer and Rehearsal Mistress for the Bravo production of Distemper and in Charcoal and Crimson. She came back in 2007 because her need to dance was so strong. She would like to thank her family for all their support in helping her follow her path.
	Ivan Nunez Segui, Dancer Ivan started dancing at the age of nine. When he was 12 years old he began his formal training at the National School of Art in Havana and after seven years, graduated from the school in 1990. Upon graduation, he joined the Folklorico Nacional de Cuba and was principal soloist from 1996 until he left the company in 2001. Since then, he has been a freelance dancer and teacher working in Cuba, Japan, England and Canada. He was a guest dancer for DJD’s ¡BULLA! project in 2004, and returned to Calgary in the fall of 2005 to continue dancing with the company. This is his fifth season with DJD.
	Malika Srivastava, Dancer Malika is honored to be dancing with Decidedly Jazz for a fourth season. The past three years at DJD have deepended her knowledge and respect for jazz music and dance. Malika also relies on her travels during the summer months to increase her exposure to jazz; she has spent time in Cuba, Brazil, New Orleans, New York and most recently Montreal in search of jazz education and inspiration. Apart from dancing with DJD, Malika has performed in U of C’s Mainstage, Dance Montage, eko Dance Projects, Alberta Dance Explosions and the Fluid Festival. Malika is truly grateful to be dancing with such a talented group of people and she thanks them for always inspiring her.
	Kaleb Tekeste, Dancer Kaleb is a local dancer, choreographer and teacher. He began dancing when he was 10 years old and at the age of 16 was introduced to street styles of dance that inspired him to take dancing more seriously. He joined the dance program at his high school, Crescent Heights, and upon graduation continued dancing and teaching Hip Hop at various studios in and around Calgary, including at The School of Decidedly Jazz. He has choreographed for shows such as Calgary Cares, Dance Montage, and Alberta Dance Explosions. In 2004 Kaleb joined the Pre-Professional Program at DJD and was brought on as understudy for 2006’s In Charcoal & Crimson. As Destiny would have it, he found himself jumping into a role a few days before opening thus marking his debut with DJD.
	Danielle Wensley, Apprentice Dancer Danielle has been dancing in Calgary since she was three years old. She has been involved in performance groups such as The Young Canadians and eko Dance Projects (formerly Youth Dance Unlimited), both giving her extensive experience and appreciation for the process of creating dance for stage. Danielle attended Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School where she joined the dance program and worked closely with former DJD dancer, Jill Currie. She was involved with the Pre-Professional Training Program at the School of Decidedly Jazz for several years where she discovered a great appreciation for jazz music and dance. Danielle is truly dedicated to DJD and has been involved in as many different facets of the company as possible. She performed in Footprints, a production created by the members of the DJD Pre-Professional Training Program as well as Live and in Sync!, DJD's educational touring show (2006 and 2007), and she continues to teach many classes at the School of Decidedly Jazz along with residencies in elementary schools in the Calgary area. Danielle is overjoyed by the amount of wonderful experiences the dance community has provided her with over the last few years and cannot express in words the excitement she feels about being a part of the company for their 25th Anniversary season.
	Deanne Walsh, Dancer Deanne is thrilled to be dancing with DJD, a company she has long admired. Growing up in Calgary, as a teen she danced with eko dance projects (formerly Youth Dance Unlimited) and later returned as a dance captain. In 2003, Deanne completed her B.A. Dance degree with distinction from the University of Calgary. As a choreographer she has created dances for U of C's Dance Montage, Alberta Dance Explosions, The F.E.A.T.S. Festival, eko dance projects and Alberta Dance Theater for Young People. The pursuit of the roots of jazz has taken her to the U.S.A., Cuba and frequently to West Africa. Her travels to Guinea have been a great source of inspiration and personal growth. Deanne teaches at the School of Decidedly Jazz and throughout Alberta. She is very much enjoying her sixth year with the DJD Company.