Order honour for Decidedly Jazz Danceworks’ Vicki Adams Willis

It's a major honour for the co-founder of Calgary's Decidedly Jazz Danceworks. Vicki Adams Willis has been named a member of the Order of Canada.

Vicki Adams Willis got the news in April that she had been named to the Order of Canada, and she didn’t believe it.

“I thought it was a scam. This could not possibly be. Shortly thereafter, it was followed up with a phone call, and I was completely gobsmacked,” Adams Willis told CTV News.

Adams Willis is being honoured for her contribution to jazz dance in Canada through her co-founding in 1984 of Calgary’s Decidedly Jazz Danceworks.

Thousands of dancers have studied and performed at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks over the decades.

Adams Willis has also channelled her talents into a program for Parkinson’s patients.

Also announced with her honour was the elevation within the order of Michael J. Fox for his work advocating for and raising money for those with Parkinson’s.

“I don’t know if we will both be there at the same time in Ottawa, but I so look forward to talking to him,” Adams Willis said.

Adams Willis hasn’t heard yet when her investiture ceremony will be, but there’s one thing she might want to address before she visits Rideau Hall.

“I had a niece who said, ‘Aunty, you might want to get a new outfit for this one,’” she said.