ASSINIBOIA — Those who lived in Assiniboia during the 1970s and 1980s likely remember the talented Drewitz family, whose passion for dance captivated audiences throughout southern Saskatchewan. Today, their influence continues to be felt across Canada.
In a recent interview with SaskToday and the Assiniboia Times, Lorie-Gay Drewitz-Gallaway reflected on the legacy of her family, the six children of the late Norman and Donna Drewitz, many of whom built careers in dance and arts education.
Melody-Lynn Drewitz Van Veen
The eldest sibling, Melody-Lynn, earned a bachelor of education degree from the University of Saskatchewan, majoring in mathematics and music. After teaching dance in southern Saskatchewan for 10 years, she moved to Alberta, teaching ballet in Calgary and later for 18 years at Shelley Tookey’s Dance Company in Edmonton.
She also served as a full-time examiner for the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA), Saskatchewan exam co-ordinator and recently received the CDTA National Dance Award for her contributions to dance education.
Today, she mentors students, helps certify new teachers, serves on the national board and works as Canada's national exam registrar. She and her husband, Ray Van Veen, have two grown children who also danced.
Mark Drewitz
Mark remained in Assiniboia, working at the Co-op Home Centre while farming with his father. A longtime supporter of dance, he ensured his family participated in the Assiniboia School of Dancing during the Drewitz family's 24 years of teaching there.
Now retired after a 41-year Co-op career, he remains actively involved in the dance lives of his children and grandchildren. His sisters affectionately call him the family's "Dance Brother" and "Dance Dad."
Lorie-Gay Drewitz Gallaway
After graduation, Lorie-Gay taught dance throughout southern Saskatchewan. In 1983, she married Don Gallaway and opened the Drewitz School of Dance in Estevan, which continues to operate today.
Over a 43-year career, she helped create the first CDTA National Ballet Syllabus as Saskatchewan's representative on the National Ballet Committee. She continues to examine, teach, mentor and facilitate workshops across Canada.
Her accomplishments also include choreographing for Souris Valley Theatre for 15 years, serving on the Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts board, founding the Ballet Summer School Extravaganza and helping establish the Drewitz Dance Camp at Kenosee Lake, which ran for more than 20 summers.
Today, her three grandchildren dance at the family studio in Estevan.
Tracey-Joy Drewitz
Tracey-Joy earned a bachelor of education degree from the University of Saskatchewan, specializing in special education and drama. While attending university, she taught tap dance and performed with a Ukrainian dance ensemble.
Throughout her teaching career, she directed school choirs and taught ballet. Now retired, she remains active in a community choir, volunteers with Central Alberta Theatre and tutors students.
Sheri-Lou Drewitz Kanten
Sheri-Lou taught at family dance studios throughout southern Saskatchewan before earning teaching credentials with the Royal Academy of Dance, CDTA and ADAPT.
After teaching in Regina, she moved to Calgary and joined Drewitz Dance Productions, where she taught and choreographed for more than 15 years. She later launched her Beyond Ballet workshop series and founded To The Pointe, a summer dance intensive that attracts students from across Western Canada.
She continues to teach, choreograph, mentor and adjudicate.
Scott Drewitz
The youngest sibling, Scott, moved to Toronto after graduation and built a successful career in musical theatre. After performing across Canada and the United States, he and his wife, Leslie, settled in Calgary and opened Drewitz Dance Productions.
Lorie-Gay noted that Scott and Leslie were inducted into Winnipeg's Rainbow Stage Hall of Fame for their contributions to musical theatre. Scott also became a driving force behind Calgary's 42nd Street Productions.
Although they have retired from studio ownership, they continue teaching and producing. Their children, Roxy and Dex, are also performers, with Roxy gaining recognition as a choreographer.
A legacy that lives on
Lorie-Gay credits much of the family's success to their parents' unwavering support.
"As parents of six children, five of whom danced until graduation, they were definitely busy dance parents," she said. "When four of their children chose dance as a profession, Norman and Donna remained actively involved and supported every dancer they met."
Even later in life, Norman and Donna travelled extensively to watch their grandchildren and great-grandchildren perform.
Today, the Drewitz siblings continue to share their talents and passion for dance across Canada while remaining proud of their Assiniboia roots.
Their message remains simple:
“Good things can come from small places if you work for them.”
