Nimbus Masterclass Series: Horton with Lisa Johnson-Willingham
Kicking off this year's Masterclass Series is former Alvin Ailey company dancer, Lisa Johnson-Willingham. Once a month the School of Nimbus provides students with the unique opportunity to train and interact with top dance professionals in various dance techniques and styles. Push your limits and hone your artistry in a Horton Masterclass with Lisa Johnson-Willingham on Saturday, September 25th from 12-2pm. Immediately following the class, students will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with Ms. Johnson-Willingham.
Spread the word! All students ages 9+ are welcome for this Horton Masterclass via Zoom.
To register, click here: Nimbus Masterclass Series: Horton with Lisa Johnson-Willingham
Please contact school@nimbusdanceworks.org if you would like more information. Stay tuned for future dates and Teaching Artists to be released soon!
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School of Nimbus: Masterclass Series
Saturday, September 25th, 12-2 pm
Horton with Lisa Johnson-Willingham
More About Ms. Johnson Willingham...
Lisa Johnson-Willingham became director of Ailey Extension in 2011, expanding Alvin Ailey’s vision that dance is for everybody through innovative and accessible dance programs for students of all ages, levels, and backgrounds. Under her leadership, the program has continued to thrive since its inception in 2005, attracting over 83,000 new students and incorporating virtual offerings to reach a global audience of over 43,000 students in more than 70 countries. In addition to creating annual workshops like Ailey Experience and student performance workshops such as Voices and Visions and World Dance Celebration; Lisa has further enriched Ailey Extension’s public programming by hosting premiere guest artists including Judith Jamison, Robert Battle, Les Twins, Yanis Marshall, and Pretty BIG Movement; and creating Ailey legacy panels with celebrated dancers and choreographers such as Renee Robinson, Desmond Richardson, Sylvia Waters, Masazumi Chaya, and Sarita Allen.
For five years (1994-1999), Ms. Johnson-Willingham was a member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater under the artistic direction of Judith Jamison. Throughout her career, she also danced with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, New World Dance Company, Donald Byrd/The Group, Joel Hall Dance Company, Deeply Rooted Productions, Footprints, and Cerqua/Rivera Art Experience.
During her time with the Ailey Company, Ms. Johnson-Willingham was invited by Judith Jamison to choreograph for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater during its 40th Anniversary Season – a piece entitled Restricted (1998). While living in Chicago, she choreographed for many prominent dance companies, theater productions, and musicals at the Goodman Theater, Steppenwolf Theater, Chicago Dramatist, and Congo Square Theater Company.
Ms. Johnson-Willingham's leadership experience in the arts includes a decade-long position as Director of AileyCamp Chicago, heading dance programs at the Dance Conservatory of Chicago High School for the Arts and Whitney Young Magnet High School, and teaching positions at Columbia College, Olive Harvey College, and Joffrey Ballet Academy of Dance.
Throughout her nearly thirty-year history with Ailey, Lisa has been passionate about mentoring aspiring dancers, such as Ailey II dancers Martell Ruffin and Brena Thomas and Ailey dancer Solomon Dumas – who was a group leader and instructor at AileyCamp Chicago during her tenure and in 2016 became the first former AileyCamper to earn a role as member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
A Washington, D.C. native, Ms. Johnson-Willingham attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and is a graduate of University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She currently lives in New Jersey with her two children, Quincy and Noah.