catherine hayward

Catherine graduated from the Toronto Metropolitan University dance program, earning a BFA with Honours (2005). Catherine has been a dancer with the DJD professional company (Calgary) since 2007. With DJD, she has performed in more than 30 original productions and created choreography for 6 of these productions. She was the Artistic Director of DJD’s dancer-choreographed shows Velocity (2017) and Borderland (2015). 

Catherine also works independently as a dance artist, choreographer, and producer. In 2023, Catherine produced Generations, a mixed-bill contemporary dance production and created her first contemporary dance short film, Everybody’s Heading for the Exit. In 2020, Catherine established the Bodied Indivisible ensemble with Shayne Johnson, and they presented their debut production, which consisted of four works. Catherine’s choreography featuring live music in performance includes The Depths of Radiance (2023), The Suit (2023), compositions by Jon McCaslin, Don’t Wake the Lions (2021, 2024), composition by Tom Richards, form, act, cease, ensue (2017) in collaboration with musician Jeremy Gignoux, and Tethered (2016), composition by Rubim de Toledo.

Catherine completed five seasons as a choreographer with Alberta Dance Theatre for Young People, has 25 years of teaching experience, and continues mentoring dancers in DJD’s recreational school, Professional Training Program and Youth Training Program. Catherine has worked with Rooted Dance Projects (previously Votive Dance) for over a decade in a cross-Canada exchange and is thrilled to continue building this relationship.