News

Happy 39th Birthday DJD!

By Kimberley Cooper
< 1 min read | March 27, 2023

Happy Birthday DJD – wow – 39!

For this birthday, the DJD family would like to celebrate our Founding Artistic Director and current Founder in Residence, Vicki Adams Willis. We’ve always known what an incredible artist, leader, mentor, teacher, visionary and human Vicki is, but recently some other folks have been noticing too…

Last summer Vicki received the Lieutenant Governor Distinguished Artist Award, she also (along with co-founders Hannah Stilwell and Michele Moss) was inducted into the Dance Collection Danse Dance Hall of Fame last fall, and most recently she received the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. That is quite the hat trick! We are so thrilled that you are being recognized for the countless contributions you have made to the cultural fabric of Canada.

We are also thrilled that you continue to be a vital part of DJD, from running the Dancing with Parkinson’s Program to all the teaching and mentorship you provide for so many of us.

So, Vicki, on this 39th birthday of your DJD baby, your jazz family applauds you, thanks you, and raises a glass to you! Congratulations, we love you.

Kimberley Cooper
Artistic Director