Deane Marr and her mother Jaqueline Macdonald, founded Marr-Mac Dance and Theatre Arts Centre in September of 1968. Marr-Mac began as a dance school and daycare center, and was run by mother and daughter until Mrs. Macdonald passed away in 1976.

The business continued to run until the day care was closed in 1999. The dance school started primarily teaching ballet and jazz and has since expanded its program to include several disciplines of dance including a musical theatre program. In 1995 Mrs. Marr took on a business partner, Cathy McFarlane who had been teaching classical ballet and character for Marr-Mac for several years prior to becoming a partner in the business.

In 1997 the studio moved to its current location at 8627-109 street into the Windsor Plaza building in Old Strathcona. The friendly artistic community of Old Strathcona is a perfect location for the studio. Parents can stay in the comfort of the studio waiting area, enjoy a coffee in a nearby coffee shop or simply drop off and pick up after class.

Deane Marr retired in June 2015 and sadly passed away in 2020. She has left behind a legacy for the love of dance and the people it touches.

Her leadership at the studio has filtered through to the instructors and is demonstrated by the care and attention given to each dancer and their individual needs.

Now, at Marr Mac we are still fostering the love of dance to any and all who come through our doors, creating a safe space to grow with high quality dance instruction and different programs to suite different needs!