Patrick Johnson grew up in the Bahamas and, after starting ballet classes, he began performing at local casinos as an entertainer. Johnson then moved to New York City and, as a member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, was part of the original DTH casts of Alvin Ailey’s The River (1993), Ron Cunningham’s Etosha (1994), and Robert Garland’s The Joplin Dances (1995). He performed across the world as well as for figures such as Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth, among others. His television credits include commercials for American Express and Cherry Coke.

He has also been involved with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, and New York Conservatory.

In 1994, Dance Magazine’s Rose Anne Thom wrote that Johnson danced “with mastery and partnered with supreme care.”

After moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan, he was asked to work with Grand Rapids Ballet’s outreach program.

Johnson is also the CEO and president of West Michigan Flight Academy, which hosts free after school programs for children.

Johnson has taught theater classes at Grand Rapids Community College and is married to Tassia Hooks, another former Dance Theatre of Harlem dancer. Together they own PT Arts, LLC, a performing arts consultation company, and have two children. 

 

 

 

Sources:

Dance Theatre of Harlem Repertory List, Columbia University Libraries
Academy teaches innercity [sic] kids to reach for the stars, Grand Rapids Business Journal
Profile: Pilot, dancer Patrick Johnson, M Live
Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dance Magazine

See also:

Harlem Company on Inventive Tack, Chicago Tribune