We sat down with Olio choreographers Kaja Irwin, Sabrina Naz Comănescu, Catherine Hayward and Deanne Walsh to learn more about each of their pieces and what audiences can expect from this collection of dances and music for you to dig.

Kaja Irwin

Company Dancer and Show Choreographer

Kaja is a Winnipeg-born dancer, choreographer, and dance educator. Deciding to pursue a career in dance after completing her B.A. in Political Science, Kaja studied in the Professional Training Program at DJD, developing her love of both jazz and the Calgary dance community. Kaja loves to explore movement and collaborations across art forms, including mask, puppetry, clown, and character work, as well as collaborating with Calgary jazz musicians developing improvised pieces for the stage. Kaja is excited and dedicated to digging deeper and exploring the jazz art form and feels honoured to be back for her ninth season performing with DJD.

Learn more about Kaja’s piece – The Flamboyance

Sabrina Naz Comănescu

Company Dancer and Show Choreographer

Sabrina has helped cultivate the Calgary dance scene for over a decade as a performer, choreographer, filmmaker, dance instructor, volunteer and as the Artistic Associate for the Diversity Performing Arts Club of Calgary. She has worked with Machel Montano, House of Dangerkat, Headly, The Hifi Club and has opened for international acts such as Pop Caan, Sean Paul and Kes The Band. She is a 2015 Black Gold Award recipient for best dance act of the year and the 2017 Alberta Foundation of the Arts Young Artist Prize winner. She is thrilled to be dancing in her ninth season this year!

Learn more about Sabrina’s piece – Spirit Calling

Catherine Hayward

Company Dancer and Show Choreographer

A graduate of the Toronto Metropolitan University dance program, Catherine has been dancing with DJD since 2007 and was Artistic Director of DJD’s dancer choreographed shows Velocity (2017) and Borderland (2015). In September, Catherine produced Generations, premiering her choreography The Suit, featuring Davida Monk and Jon McCaslin. In 2023, she completed a contemporary dance short film, Everybody’s Heading for the Exit, with filmmakers Eric Pauls and Michael Janke. In 2021, Catherine premiered Don’t Wake the Lions, a jazz work featuring live music by Tom Richards with Votive Dance (Halifax). She is co-artistic director of the Bodied Indivisible ensemble with Shayne Johnson and in 2020 they presented their debut production. Previous choreography includes form, act, cease, ensue in collaboration with musician Jeremy Gignoux (2017) and Tethered with Rubim de Toledo (2016). Catherine completed five seasons choreographing with Alberta Dance Theatre for Young People, has 25 years’ teaching experience, and continues mentoring dancers in DJD’s recreational school, Professional Training Program and Youth Training Program.

Learn more about Catherine’s piece – Depths of radiance; women devoured by the unseen 

Deanne Walsh

DJD Alumnus and Show Choreographer

After completing her B.A. Dance degree with distinction from the University of Calgary, Deanne danced for eight seasons with DJD as a full-time company member. As a choreographer and independent performer, Deanne has created and presented work in Alberta, across Canada and internationally for over 20 years. Deanne has been the Artistic Director of Alberta Dance Theatre for Young People, Artistic Associate for DSW and forming member of DSW’s Dance Action Group. As an educator, Deanne held a role as Sessional Instructor at the University of Calgary in the SCPA’s Dance Division and the Faculty of Kinesiology, instructor for the DJD company, Professional Training Program and School of Decidedly Jazz, as well featured guest choreographer and instructor in schools across Canada. She is now also a teacher with the Calgary Board of Education.

Learn more about Deanne’s piece – betwixt and between