Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: November 19, 2015
• Invested on: September 23, 2016

For their contributions to contemporary dance in Canada and to the development of the next generation of dancers.

For over 30 years, Odette Heyn and Faye Thomson have nurtured the development of many of Canada’s best contemporary dancers, choreographers and artistic directors. Co-directors of the School of Contemporary Dancers and creators of its professional program, they are highly regarded for establishing a training ground that is recognized for its technical and artistic excellence. Moreover, they established a concurrent degree program with the University of Winnipeg that has broadened career options for dancers and that has since been used as a model by others.