KIMBERLEY COOPER: ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, DECIDEDLY JAZZ DANCEWORKS

The night before Calgary's devastating 2013 flood, Kimberley Cooper was named artistic director of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks.

It literally “rained on my parade,” says Cooper. But what may have seemed a bad omen came up roses, as DJD last year opened its $25-million art space — described by Cooper as a “palace” compared to past venues.

The now 45-year-old had an inauspicious start, fired as a dancer at 19 after joining DJD out of high school.

“I went home, got better (as a dancer and health-wise, recovering from mononucleosis) and worked my tail off. I auditioned and got hired back.”

Her 25-year career flowed from dancer to a much-in-demand choreographer, to films and tours, to now leading the troupe into the future in its state-of-the-art new home.

A precocious, constantly moving child, Cooper's destiny may have been sealed at age four.

However, two years of ballet ended when she saw Vicki Adams (DJD co-founder) perform and, “I thought, 'yeah, that's better'."

Neighbourhood jazz classes and a Young Canadians stint followed.

Her passion for dance hasn't always been positive.

"In Grade 8, all my friends wrote me a letter saying they didn't want to be friends anymore because all I talked about was dance.

“I didn't really care. I never faltered in my passion.”

She was first in her family not to go to university — hard on her university professor dad — but moved swiftly through the dance world. At 30, she was resident choreographer at DJD.

This year will see more original pieces combining dance and live music, including Juliet and Romeo on Jan. 18 — “I flipped names so people know it's not traditional; I always thought Juliet was the more interesting character.”

Cooper describes her work life not as a career, but a lifestyle.

“I always joke, if you are looking to get into dance, get out of it. The reality is, if dance chooses you — succumb to it.

“Dance chose me; I went along for the ride.”