Thread

At its simplest, choreography is the intentional arrangement of movement. In practice, it’s a creative process where a choreographer uses movement the way a composer uses notes or a painter uses colour: to create meaning. It is something that audiences can see, feel and remember.

Spend time with Janis Dunning, C.M. and Jacques Lemay, C.M. and you come away understanding why they have been awarded the Order of Canada and the dance they have been choreographing since their first meeting. It is a dance filled with storytelling, motion, philanthropy and a passion for their country, their community and their chosen cause in the performing arts.

A shared beginning on stage and in life

Dunning and Lemay met at the first rehearsal for a Manitoba Theatre Centre production of The Boyfriend. With Dunning from a small town in British Columbia and Lemay from Montreal, they brought their talent to the production, nurtured through years of training.

Just as important, they shared a love for the performing arts, supported by families who gave what they could to give them the best opportunity to follow their passion. And they have been dancing ever since.

They also shared a love and passion for Canada. Together, they founded the Young Company Program for the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Prince Edward Island, a cornerstone of the Charlottetown Festival, where over 10 years Lemay performed and later served as Artistic Director.

He has contributed choreography, directing and producing to major national and international events, including the opening and closing ceremonies of Canada’s Winter and Summer Games, the Commonwealth Games (Victoria, 1994), the Olympic Games and six royal visits.

Dunning created and was the principal performer of two highly successful national CTV television series for children, Let’s Go! and The Rockets. Over an award-winning, 18-year television career, she coached, mentored and supported the artistic development of hundreds of young artists. Her work in children’s television has inspired and touched the lives of millions of Canadians.

Taking Canadian arts across the country

The couple took their love for Canada on the road in 1992, through the founding of the Canadian Heritage Arts Society (CHAS) to promote the arts through performance and education. The organization launched the highly acclaimed touring program Experience Canada.

This included the production Spirit of a Nation, created by Dunning and Lemay, which reached more than 800,000 people at festivals, in schools and in theatres across the country.