The Ailey Organization announced that Lisa Johnson-Willingham, a former dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, has been named Director of The Ailey Extension. During her 18-year history with Ailey, Johnson-Willingham's roles have transcended the stage to also include leadership positions as choreographer, teacher and educational program Director. Over the past decade, while heading AileyCamp Chicago summer programs, she has also directed area high school and college dance programs.
"We are thrilled to welcome Lisa home," stated Artistic Director Judith Jamison, who first met Johnson-Willingham 25 years ago as a member of the Jamison Project. "She has had a remarkable impact as a performer, teacher and mentor. I'm confident that her awareness of the Ailey legacy and influence both on and off the stage will enrich this innovative program and further The Ailey Extension as the nation's destination for dance."Johnson-Willingham's history with the Ailey organization began in 1993 as a member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. While in the Company, Johnson-Willingham also choreographed Restricted, a work which premiered on the Company during its 1998 New York City Center Season. Two years later, she traveled to Chicago to head AileyCamp - an innovative summer program designed to serve inner-city children in grades six through eight - where she held a position as Director for ten years. Fittingly, Johnson-Willingham's evolving roles in the Ailey organization and dedication to ensuring dance is accessible to everyone will continue with The Ailey Extension.Lisa Johnson-Willingham pictured with AileyCamp Chicago
Students. Photo by Claude-Aline Nazaire
Lisa Johnson-Willingham, born in Washington, DC, is a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and received a BFA from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Lisa has performed with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, New World Dance Company, Donald Byrd/The Group, Joel Hall Dance Company, Deeply Rooted Productions, Cerqua/Rivera Art Experience, Nucleus Dance Collective and Complexions.
As a choreographer, Lisa has set pieces on such dance companies as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Joel Hall Dance Company, Cerqua/Rivera Art Experience, Melissa Thodos and Dancers, One World Dance Theater and Hubbard Street II.
Lisa'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 Academy of Dance.
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