Don J. Williams 1500 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield, MN 55057

Mobile: (609)-328-7642 | Email: willia1@stolaf.edu

Professional Summary

Outgoing and energetic dancer with experience in modern, ballet, jazz, and hip hop. Strong ability to learn and teach via demonstration and interaction. Demonstrated excellence in performance and choreography at a college level; able to relate well to others within the academic environment while articulating movement in the mind and body.

Core Qualifications

➢ Jazz / Hip hop➢ Improvisation and technique➢ Modern Aesthetic

➢ Choreography➢ Dance Anatomy and Physiology

Experience

Dancer September 2015 - PresentSt. Olaf College Companydance Northfield, MN

➢ Companydance strives to be inclusive and accommodating to the evolving interests, needs and abilities of a broad spectrum of dancers while encouraging responsibility, creative collaboration, community building.

➢ Companydance includes performing opportunities in; works choreographed by faculty, students, and guest artists, improvisational dance pieces, and special dance projects (dedication of buildings, presidential inaugurations, Peace Prize Forums, American College Dance Festivals).

➢ Performances: Gridlock (Choreographed by Heather Klopchin, Spring 2016); 50 Uncles (Choreographed by HIJACK, Spring 2016)

Choreographer and Instructor October 2015 - PresentPinnacle Performing Arts Northfield, MN

➢ Encouraged students to practice and perform at their best potential.➢ Created new and excited choreography for students and family.➢ Guided self-discovery and confidence within the students.

Advanced Dancer June 2012 - January 2013Joffrey Ballet Chicago, IL

➢ Learned and performed a minimum of two dances per week and perform them at monthly events ➢ Assisted other dancers to understand and display dedication, commitment, and hard work.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Dance and Women & Gender Studies September 2014 - May 2018St. Olaf College Northfield, MN

Dance AffiliationFounder/Choreographer - Legacy Drill Company Chicago, IL

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Northfield, MN

Legacy Drill Company, Founder/Choreography: Northfield, MN September 2014 - Present● Members learn a variety of skills that can be of use now and throughout their academic careers, such as

teamwork, communication, leadership, professionalism, dedication, and organization, etc.; skills that help to develop a well rounded individual at St. Olaf College.

● Providing volunteering services by reaching out to students in elementary schools and the high school; giving them a sense of community and hope.

Legacy Dance Team, Founder/Choreographer: Chicago, IL September 2010 - June 2014● Direct rehearsals to instruct dancers in how to use dance steps, and techniques to achieve desired effects. ● Experiment with different types of dancers, steps, dances, and placements, testing ideas informally to get

feedback from dancers.● Record dance movements and their technical aspects while using a technical understanding of the

patterns and formations of choreography to advise dancers on how to stand and move properly, teaching correct dance techniques to help prevent injuries.

Bachelor of Arts Degree, St. Olaf College: Northfield, MN Anticipated graduation May 2018● Majors: Dance and Women and Gender Studies● GPA: 3.00

Williams Prep School of Medicine: Chicago, IL Graduation June 3, 2014● Cumulative GPA: 4.00● National Honors Society Member: 2013● Posse Scholar Finalist: 2013

References

Sindy Fleming : Director of Center of Multicultural and International Engagement at St. Olaf College ● fleminsl@stolaf.edu ● 507-786-3060

Kris Vatter : Director of Buntrock Commons and Pause at St. Olaf College ● Vatter@stolaf.edu ● 507-786-3999

Heather Klopchin : Associate Professor of Dance at St. Olaf College ● Klopchin@stolaf.edu ● 507-786-3070

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