Dance choreographer Twyla Tharp now has the key to the city of Winnipeg.

Mayor Sam Katz made the presentation Friday morning, calling Tharp "prolific and a visionary."

Tharp, an international dance icon, has been in Winnipeg for the past six weeks, working on the Canadian premiere of her latest production, the Princess and the Goblin at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

Tharp has choreographed more than 100 dances, five Hollywood movies and directed and choreographed four Broadway shows.

She has been the recipient of one Tony Award, two Emmy Awards, more than a dozen honourary doctorates, the Vietnam Veterans of America President's Award, the 2004 National Medal of the Arts, the 2008 Jerome Robbins Prize and a 2008 Kennedy Center Honor.

While in Winnipeg, Tharp has also extensively worked with local students from Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, casting more than 20 children in The Princess and The Goblin and serving as a mentor to students in the RWB.

“I am honoured to be receiving a Key to the City from the City of Winnipeg,” said Tharp.

“Working on this production with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the students has been a tremendously rewarding experience.”