Odette Heyn, CM

Honorary Doctor of Letters

For over 45 years, Odette Graziella Heyn has devoted her professional life to the Winnipeg arts community and the world of contemporary dance.

Odette immigrated to Canada with her family in 1958. Armed with dance training from York University, she settled in Winnipeg in the mid-’70s.

In 1978, she was the Founder and Artistic Director of Sundance Children’s Dance Theatre, which toured schools and theatres across Manitoba.

In 1981, she co-founded the Professional Program at the School of Contemporary Dancers and continues to serve as co-director. She choreographed for countless productions and companies, all while developing some of Canada’s most prestigious dancers.

She has volunteered her time and expertise to dancers, playwrights, actors, and singers. She is a proud officiant of Canadian citizenship ceremonies, welcoming and inducting immigrants to their new home.

In partnership with The University of Winnipeg, Odette, along with Faye Thomson and the School of Contemporary Dancers, helped create the Dance Program Stream within the UWinnipeg Department of Theatre and Film. This allows students working towards a professional career in dance to obtain a liberal arts degree.

Odette has been honoured by Dance Manitoba with a Lifetime Achievement Award, the City of Winnipeg Make a Difference Award, and appointed to the Order of Canada.

For her role in establishing a dance major at UWinnipeg and enriching the culture of dance and the arts in Canada, The University of Winnipeg is proud to bestow an Honorary Doctor of Letters on Odette Heyn.