Diane Thomson is a nationally renowned Canadian artist
and humanitarian with over 25 years of experience across a multitude of
mediums. With her entrepreneurial spirit Diane has successfully worked in almost every area possible within the
dance realm. She has taken dance and
bridged it with other industries, becoming a media pioneer. Diane enjoys designing and
creating tangible items and setting the tone.
She has participated in many commercial and fund raising events in a
number of capacities. Some of her accomplishments include respected Nominations
for Dance, Television and New Media. In addition to being a performer, Diane
has been involved in Research, Creative Direction, Artistic Direction,
Producing, Consulting, Lecturing as well as being a Spokesperson, Host and
Emcee, Choreographer, Adjudicator, Model, Council Member, Educator and Fund
Raiser and she holds upper level certifications in dance, voice, theatre,
broadcast television and business development.
Nominations
Recognized by the Industry, in 2000, Diane was nominated
for her achievements in the film/television/new media and in the performing
area, by way of a 'Crystal Award' in
the area Creative Excellence from Women In Film and Television, New Media. In 2010 Diane was nominated for a Governor General Award
– Performing Arts. Canada Council and External
Affairs International Trade Canada have also recognized Diane for her
work. In 2010 and 2011 Diane received a ‘Certificate Of Appreciation’ for
her humanitarian volunteer work from the City of Toronto.
Media
Diane's work has been featured on television specials
including 'NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC-
Miraculous Machines", C.B.C. -
THE JOURNAL, C.B.C. - THE NATURE OF
THINGS; CTV - B.N.N. (Business News Network) –‘The Bottom Line’; Fashion Television
as well as in publications including industry journal, ‘Playback’
(Canada’s Entertainment Industry
magazine), ‘The Globe and Mail’,
‘National Post, 'Creative Computing Magazine', ‘Science Magazine’, in
addition to other periodicals and newspapers.
Professional
performer
Films include, Principal dance in the Imax 3D movie -"Wings Of Courage' – Directed by Jean Jacques Annard.
Diane has performed with ballet companies including Royal City Ballet - under the direction of Dolores Kirkwood, Pacific Northwest Ballet – under
the direction of Kent Stowell,
Mobius Dance Company, Los Angles – under
the direction of Len Yu Wong,
Dance In Canada Conference. She has represented the United Church of Canada at the
Interfaith Conference (a televised conference) 2002 – present.
Musicals and Opera’s include principal and supporting roles in ‘Hello Dolly’, ‘My Fair Lady’ and ‘Stepping
Out ( principal role of ‘Mavis’); to Principal
Performer at the Canada Pavilion, Expo 86 to Opera work with Edmonton Opera and Vancouver Opera – ‘Peter
Grimes’ under the Direction of Leon Majors. Diane has
performed either as a guest performer or in a concert setting throughout
Canada, U.S., Japan, and Europe, both as a dancer and/or singer. In Sept
2002 Diane joined with other performers in N.Y.C. at the inaugural 9/11 Memorial Services held at St. Marks and returns
to N.Y. C. on a regular basis to perform.
Today the ballets Diane performs are choreographed specifically for her
and reflect a message of hope, love, joy and peace.
With her beautiful soprano voice Diane has released 2
c.d.’s ‘A Walk of Faith’, and ‘The Faces of Love’.
Researcher - Designer
(Human Factors Specialist)
A Canadian Media Pioneer and early advocate for virtual
reality, Diane is the first Canadian professional dancer to successfully build a unique
bridge between the art of movement/dance and 3D computer simulation
technology. This interdisciplinary PhD.
level work premiered at Digicon ’83 – using
rear image projection, paralleled with dancers on stage and then at the
international Siggraph conference. The graphics engine, developed from this work is known as ‘Virtually Human’
and is the first ‘high level’ coded (derived and written by Diane & her team) working
human simulation engine developed directly from dance with applications to film,
television, gaming, choreography, toys, forensics, bio-medical and
robotics. With over 27 years of applied
research Diane is considered by the industry to be an expert in human factors. With this work Diane has drawn alliances and partnerships with respected and award winning multinational Corporations and Governments. Her work has been
featured at MacWorld, Siggraph, U.S. National Business Education
Association Conference, U.S. Oregon Technology Access Program and is used
in commercial projects sold worldwide.
Creative
consultant/Director/Producer/Designer
Diane has worked as Creative
Director/Consultant, for multinational corporations on
projects for the e-learning market both conventional and e-books, covering a multitude of genres. She participates in new projects/commercials
for television and the web, incorporating media convergence. Diane has served as an adviser to multinationals in the area of bi-pedal movement for the gaming industry. She has compiled and led creative teams, produced and
supervised production of educational movies, games and books and created and
produced Canada’s first virtual simulated television host, owned by the Business
News Network (CTVbellmedia). In 2007 Diane worked closely with
the late Rosemary Chisholm Feick (Posy) on the Creative Direction, production
and compilation of her memoirs. Live Production credits include
Founder/Artistic Director/Producer for the Main Stage for First Night – City of Vancouver,
and the largest existing Dance
Program – City of Toronto; All In The Dance. For over 20 years Diane has created beautiful themed decor for events or the home, either as a independent or as is part of the Designers At Large team.
Lectured
Diane has lectured and given talks in the areas relating
to Creative Direction, dance, human movement and technology both in Canada and abroad; including
the Laban Centre for Movement Studies,
London, England and the University of
Ontario, (Game Development Program).
At Simon Fraser University,
Diane served as Associate Professor and represented Simon Fraser University
to outside groups leading workshops in movement. Diane has taught ballet, jazz and musical theatre for Pacific
Ballet Theatre School, Kirkwood Dance Academy, City of Vancouver and City of
Toronto.
Spokesperson,
Host and Emcee
Diane has represented numerous commercial companies
and emceed events including; Rosedale Toronto
Mayfair 2003 – present, KCTS –
Seattle – Canadian Spokesperson, Maytag
– Shopping Channel, Leather CPR (Los
Angeles) – Canadian Launch, Shopping Channel, Food Marketing Institute, Washington, D.C., Vancouver
DuMaurier International Jazz Festival 1987 – 1997, Asia Pacific Festival. As
an industry pioneer, Diane has chaired Industry Panels on Animation in Toronto
for Women In Film, Television and New Media.
Choreography
Include commercials - Cannon – Sure Shot Camera’s,
L’Oreal - Toronto Fashion Week – Richard
Tyler Shoe Launch 2007; film Class
of ’69 – Directed by Sandy Wilson and Vancouver Opera – Peter Grimes –
Director – Leon Majors, All In The Dance program - 2 shows per year and numerous fund raising
events in Toronto.
Modelling
With a love for fashion, Diane has modelled for Canadian
designers Nygard – The Bay, Jan Stimpson, Mary Van Osh, Lucinda Jones and U.S.
designer Richard Tyler.
Council
Member
A 27 year member of her professional associations
Diane has served on the advisory and councils of Canadian Actors Equity
Association – Western Dance Advisory and A.C.T.R.A. –
Dancer/Choreographers – B.C. in addition to the selection committee for the Sam
Payne Awards (A.C.T.R.A.). An
invited participant Diane takes part in Executive round table discussions on
Innovation and Design with other industry leaders for the G.T.M.A. Diane is a member of W.I.F.T. (Women In
Film Television New Media), G.T.M.A. (Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance),
I.S.E.S. (International Special Event Society) and ACM Siggraph. In
2009 Diane took part in C.R.T.C. (Canadian Radio
Television Commission) hearings on behalf of Broadcasters, and was proud to do so as a second generation media pioneer.
Fund
Raising and Community Service
Deeply involved in her community, Diane has helped
raise funds working in the capacity of Producer, Event Coordinator, Décor,
Performer, Public Relations, Sponsorship and Silent Auction Sponsorship for
many causes and functions including; Brazilian Ball
– Peter Munk Foundation, Look Good, Feel Good Ball – Canadian Cancer Society,
Victim Services of Toronto, Breast Friends Forever – Breast Cancer, Lung
Association, Scarlet Ball – West Park Healthcare Centre, Fandango – Bridgepoint
Heath, DAREarts Foundation (steering committee 2007), Equity Fights Aids, Casey
House, Snowball and Back To Bemelmans, Holly Berry Fair – Rosedale United
Church (steering committee), CCAVE (Creative Director) and Mayfair Rosedale
(steering committee).
Diane founded the ‘All
In The Dance’ dance
program as it is today at Matty Eckler Community Recreation Center in
2005 which offers quality level professional training and performance
opportunities to students of dance, ages 3 to adult, at cost effective prices,
available to all. Single-handedly Diane
lobbied successfully to have a proper professional dance studio floor and
mirrors installed creating a specialized dance studio within the center. Diane
has drawn business alliances throughout the city to support this dance program
and allows for the students to perform in a professional theatre setting,
throughout the year. Over 40 of these
students auditioned successfully to the National Ballet School Associate
Program over the past seven years. One of these students today is in the 'full time' program at Canada's National Ballet School. Diane
is the Artistic Director for the entire dance program and produces
two (2) professional shows
throughout the year. Diane has built
this program to over 220 students and is
the largest and highest quality program run under the City of Toronto
auspices
