VALERIE WILLIAMS CHOREOGRAPHER    DANCER    MOVEMENT SPECIALIST Choreography     Performing     Residencies     Argentine Tango     Social Dance     Early Dance

Email Me!

Valerie Williams
129 E 7th
Ames, IA 50010
voice 515 232-7374
fax 515 233-9290 Press Releases, Bios and Blurbs

Valerie Williams earns her living in modern dance, musical theater, opera and Renaissance dance. Dancing professionally since 1973 she has performed, choreographed and taught in a wide variety of situations including professional and amateur dance and theater, opera and even marching bands. Since 1975 she has toured professionally performing, choreographing and teaching throughout North America and Europe. Co-founder and director of Co'Motion Dance Theater, Valerie has toured to hundreds of communities and schools with Co'Motion Dance Theater, Musica Antiqua, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co. and the Old Creamery Theater Company. She produces at least three concerts per year for Co'Motion Dance Theater plus the successful Kids ' Co'Motion performance workshop. In previous seasons Co'Motion Dance Theater annually performed on tour and at home for approximately 20,000 people of all ages and presented master classes and residencies for over 6000 students. Now, the company performs a three concert home season and continues its touring to a lesser degree.

Valerie trained at the Wisconsin College Conservatory, UW/Milwaukee, Iowa State University, with Bill Evans and continues her training with her company and a number of other professionals. July, 1986 found her starting part-time work in New York City as rehearsal director for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co. In 1990-93 she was the national tour director for Jones' production The Promised Land at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Next Wave Festival and throughout the USA and in France, Canada and Italy. In 1995 Valerie used her extensive knowledge of social dance history to choreograph social dances for Jones' production of 24 Images/Seconde for the Lyon Opera Ballet. In 1991 she worked as rehearsal director for Bill T. Jones' Love Defined also for the Lyon Opera Ballet. In 1993 she set a version of her choreography Divine Liturgy on dancers in Rome, Italy. 1987 and 1988 brought her two commissions from Muzia Dance Theater in NYC and one from Pandemonium DanceCircus of Milwaukee, WI. In 1989 she initiated the ongoing annual children's dance theater, Kids' Co'Motion, in Ames, Iowa to make sure an educated audience is being formed for modern dance. Currently, she is continuing her work in interactive technologies and live performance with Carolina Cruz-Neira at the Virtual Reality Applications Center at ISU. They are creating a sensor system for Assisted Living, a performance in virtual reality.

Valerie's training includes a broad range of technical study, but her experiences include much more: scholarly reconstructions of Early Dance, advanced study in biomechanics and kinesiology, and running a successful dance company. Valerie has an excellent eye for movement and has coached all ages and experience levels.

Valerie also dances for fun. Social dancing has been a part of all her life, starting with waltz and polka in her native Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Since then, Valerie has danced and taught most forms of ballroom and social dances, folk dances, contra and round dances, and most lately, Argentine Tango. Co-founder of the ISU Ballroom Dance Club in 1976, she continues to teach all skill levels for that club as well as other clubs and organizations. Valerie teaches private lessons and since 1997 has conducted Argentine Tango Salons on a regular basis in Ames, Iowa.

Valerie believes in physical, intellectual and spiritual intelligences and has found no other form for them as fitting as dance. She is a frequently requested Artist In the Schools in a nine state region, and has worked in that program since 1978. Valerie has taught in elementary and secondary schools as well as universities, colleges and dance schools. She presents workshops, teacher in-service, seminars and residencies in Creative Movement, Composition, Movement and Curriculum, Dance Technique, Early Dance, and Musical Theater Choreography. Valerie Williams is a powerful dancer, a creative producer, and an articulate defender of the art form.


Current AIS/C Blurb
Valerie Williams has been dancing professionally in modern dance, musical theater, opera and Renaissance dance in North America and Europe since 1973. Artistic director of Co'Motion Dance Theater since 1978, Ms. Williams also performs with Musica Antiqua. In 1989 she initiated the highly successful Kids’ Co’Motion in Ames, Iowa. Currently, she produces four concerts annually. She served two terms on the Public Art Commission in Ames, and in 2000 was selected “Local Treasure” by the Ames Community Arts Council.
A much sought after residency artist since 1978, Valerie Williams teaches classes in dance technique, creative movement, movement in curriculum, composition, improvisation, social dance, folk dance, Renaissance dance, and kinesiology. Her teaching emphases lie in building articulate bodies through the discipline of modern dance technique, and opening students’ minds to the creative possibilities in dance. Through exercises designed to build strength, flexibility, control and creative problem-solving, students learn to dance and choreograph as they increase their movement vocabulary. Continued exploring beyond the first answer is stressed in creative problem solving.
Valerie also choreographs and stages dance sequences for plays. She can make your musical production come to life with fresh choreography, (and make your audience wonder if those are really their children on stage). Her performances keep audiences spellbound. Joy in dance is evident in all she does.
Author of A Guide to Dance Curriculum in Schools, Valerie can assist you in creating your own program in movement and dance, including curriculum inspired lessons. She’ll share field tested lesson plans and train teachers to use that curriculum.
As rehearsal director for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Ms. Williams worked at the Spoleto Festival in Italy, the International Festival of Dance in Montpellier, France, served as the international tour rehearsal director for The Promised Land, and has choreographed and rehearsed dances for the Lyon Opera Ballet. She has traveled to Rome to set her production of Divine Liturgy, and to New Zealand to teach master classes at the University of Canterbury. Most recently, she was in Porto, Portugal, working with dancers, teachers and physical educators.

Press Release #2
Choreographer and Movement Specialist, Valerie Williams earns her living in modern dance, musical theater, opera and Renaissance dance. Dancing professionally since 1973 she has performed, choreographed and taught in a wide variety of situations including professional and amateur dance and theater, opera and even marching bands. Since 1975 she has toured professionally performing, choreographing and teaching throughout a twelve state area. Co-founder and director of Co'Motion Dance Theater, Valerie has toured to hundreds of communities and schools with Co'Motion Dance Theater, Musica Antiqua, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co. and the Old Creamery Theater Company. From 1986-95 she worked part-time as rehearsal director for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co in New York City. In 1990-93 she was the national tour director for Jones' production "The Promised Land" as well as its premier at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Next Wave Festival and throughout the USA and in France, Canada and Italy. In 1995 Valerie used her extensive knowledge of social dance history to choreograph social dances for Jones' production of 24 Images/Seconde for the Lyon Opera Ballet, and for Jone's work, You Walk?, premiered in March, 2000. In 1991 she worked as rehearsal director for Jones' Love Defined for that same company. In 1993 she set a version of her choreography Divine Liturgy on a group of dancers in Rome, Italy. 1987 and 1988 brought her two commissions from Muzia Dance Theater in NYC and one from Pandemonium DanceCircus of Milwaukee, WI. In 1989 she initiated the Children's Dance Theater in Ames, Iowa to make sure an educated audience was being formed for modern dance.



Press Release #3
Choreographer, dancer, and Company Director Valerie Williams has been dancing professionally in modern dance, musical theater, opera and Renaissance dance since 1973. In addition to her work with Co'Motion Dance Theater and Musica Antiqua, she has served as rehearsal director for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. Ms. Williams has worked at the Spoleto Festival in Italy where she directed rehearsal for Last Supper at Uncle Tom's Cabin/The Promised Land. She also directed rehearsal for the premiere at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York in 1990, and the International Festival of Dance in Montpellier, France. In 1991 she rehearsed the Lyon Opera Ballet in Love Defined and 24 Images/Seconde. She traveled to Rome, Italy in 1993 to set her production of Divine Liturgy on dancers of Teatro Studio. Ms. Williams has choreographed major works for Co'Motion Dance Theater since 1984. An active member of the arts community, she was elected a delegate to the 1995 Arts Caucus, served two terms on the Public Art Commission for the City of Ames, and in 2000, was selected "Local Treasure".


Blurbs
I don't mind being referred to as Williams, Valerie, or Ms. Williams.



September 2000 for Protecting Veil (IDT) program Valerie Williams has been dancing professionally in modern dance, musical theater, opera and Renaissance dance since 1973 in North America and Europe. Artistic director of Co'Motion Dance Theater since 1978, Williams also performs with Musica Antiqua. As rehearsal director for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company Williams worked at the Spoleto Festival in Italy, the International Festival of Dance in Montpellier, France and has choreographed and rehearsed dances for the Lyon Opera Ballet and served as the international tour rehearsal director for The Promised Land. She reconstructed Spanish medieval dances for Jones' You Walk? and set other Renaissance dances for Fete, and 19th C social dances for 24 Images/Seconde. She has traveled to Rome to set her production of Divine Liturgy and to New Zealand to teach master classes at the University of Canterbury.
In 1989 she initiated the highly successful Kids’ Co’Motion. An active member of the arts community, she currently serves on the Public Art Commission in Ames. Williams produces 3 concerts annually for the Co'Motion Dance Theater home season.


Valerie Williams has been dancing professionally in modern dance, musical theater, opera and Renaissance dance since 1973. Artistic director of Co'Motion Dance Theater since 1978, Ms. Williams also performs with Musica Antiqua. As rehearsal director for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company Ms. Williams has choreographed and rehearsed dances for the Lyon Opera Ballet and served as the international tour rehearsal director for The Promised Land. Most recently she reconstructed Spanish medieval dances for Jones' You Walk?. She has traveled to Rome to set her production of Divine Liturgy and to New Zealand to teach master classes at the University of Canterbury. Currently, she produces four concerts annually, and serves on the Public Art Commission in Ames.


December 1999 for IAC Conference

Valerie Williams has been dancing professionally in modern dance, musical theater, opera and Renaissance dance since 1973 in North America and Europe. Artistic director of Co'Motion Dance Theater since 1978, she annually choreographs and produces 3 concerts. Ms. Williams also reconstructs and performs Renaissance Dance with Musica Antiqua. As rehearsal director for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company Ms. Williams worked at the Spoleto Festival in Italy, the International Festival of Dance in Montpellier, France and has choreographed and rehearsed dances for the Lyon Opera Ballet. In 1991 she traveled to Rome to set her production of Divine Liturgy and this year to New Zealand to teach master classes at the University of Canterbury. In 1989 she initiated the highly successful Kids’ Co’Motion. An active member of the arts community, she currently serves on the Public Art Commission in Ames.

Please see www.mtn.org/~vjw for a complete bio.


Dancer, choreographer, director.
Valerie Williams, director of Co’Motion Dance Theater, a veteran of IAC programs has been working professionally since 1973. She conducts residencies, choreographs musical theater and modern dance, does performances, teacher in-service workshops and curriculum design for teachers. "My emphasis lies in building articulate bodies through a disciplined modern dance technique and honing creative skills with problem solving, improvisation and composition." 60


Dancer, choreographer, and director Valerie Williams is currently artistic director of Co’Motion Dance Theater and a veteran of IAC programs. She conducts residencies, choreographs musical theater and modern dance, does performances, teacher in-service workshops, curriculum design for teachers, and social dance. In her teaching she stresses exploration and joy in movement. 53


June, 1999
Valerie Williams loves to move. Her energy and sensitivity to the audience let her dance in a way that is highly expressive and delightfully clear. As a much sought after residency artist, she communicates not only the discipline but the joy of dance as well. Her work has played to standing ovations and she can keep a school audience spellbound. During her twenty-some year career as dancer, choreographer, and teacher, she has touched audiences around the world. In addition to her work as artistic director of Co'Motion Dance Theater, Ms. Williams is active with Musica Antiqua (a Renaissance music group) and has served as rehearsal director for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. Ms. Williams has worked at the Spoleto Festival in Italy and the International Festival of Dance in Montpellier, France. She has choreographed and rehearsed dances for the Lyon Opera Ballet. She traveled to Rome to set her production of Divine Liturgy on dancers of Teatro Studio and to New Zealand to teach master classes at the University of Canterbury. An active member of the arts community, she donates time to several arts agencies.

Service #1 - Performance
Valerie Williams loves to dance and that joy is evident in all her performances, whether for audiences in theaters, museums, or gym floors. An articulate and expressive performer, Valerie Williams has been dancing professionally in modern dance, musical theater, opera and Renaissance dance since 1973 in North America and Europe. Currently her concert work includes three short solo works designed for museum spaces, a duet concert of Bach Suites accompanied by cello, and light repertory. Valerie is available for concerts, assembly performances, lecture/demonstrations by herself or in company with other dancers. Please see www.mtn.org/~vjw for a complete list of repertory.

Service #2 - Education
Valerie Williams is available to choreograph your musical theater production and also to teach classes in dance technique, creative movement, movement and curriculum, composition, improvisation, social dance, folk dance, Renaissance dance, and biomechanics. Her training includes a broad range of technical study in many styles. Valerie has an excellent eye for movement and has coached all ages. She is able to break down dance steps so even beginners can learn quickly. In her teaching she stresses exploration and joy in movement as well as technique and the discipline of dance. "I want students to develop a movement vocabulary and a method for discussing dance and design. My emphasis lies in building articulate bodies, curious minds and adventuresome spirits in a disciplined modern dance environment. I stress exploration, expression and joy."
Valerie adjusts her residencies for all ages.

Teacher In-Service workshops share methods of teaching creative movement for teachers without dance experience or using movement and dance with curriculum. The workshops include field tested lesson plans.

Service #3
Ms. Williams can assist a school or system of schools in creating a curriculum in movement and dance, and in training teachers to use that curriculum. While on the Dance Curriculum Committee for Iowa Department of Education, Ms. Williams was responsible for writing a curriculum framework for dance in the state of Iowa. She has also written a companion guide to the present dance curriculum for Physical Education and classroom teachers. This Curriculum Guide has been presented at many professional conferences and is in use in different school systems.



Valerie Williams earns her living in modern dance, musical theater, opera and Renaissance dance. Dancing professionally since 1973 she has performed, choreographed and taught in a wide variety of situations including professional and amateur dance and theater, opera and even marching bands. Since 1975 she has toured professionally performing, choreographing and teaching throughout North America and Europe. Co-founder and director of Co'Motion Dance Theater, Valerie has toured to hundreds of communities and schools with Co'Motion Dance Theater, Musica Antiqua, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co. and the Old Creamery Theater Company. She produces an average of three concerts per year for Co'Motion Dance Theater plus the successful Children's Dance Theater. Last season that company performed on tour and at home for approximately 20,000 people of all ages and presented master classes and residencies for over 6000 students. Valerie trained at the Wisconsin College Conservatory, UW/Milwaukee, Iowa State University, with Bill Evans and continues her training with her company and a number of other professionals. July, 1986 found her starting part-time work in New York City as rehearsal director for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co. In 1990-93 she was the national tour director for Jones' production "The Promised Land" at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Next Wave Festival and throughout the USA and in France, Canada and Italy. In 1995 Valerie used her extensive knowledge of social dance history to choreograph social dances for Jones' production of 24 Images/Seconde for the Lyon Opera Ballet. In 1991 she worked as rehearsal director for Jones' Love Defined for that same company. In 1993 she set a version of her choreography Divine Liturgy on a group of dancers in Rome, Italy. 1987 and 1988 brought her two commissions from Muzia Dance Theater in NYC and one from Pandemonium DanceCircus of Milwaukee, WI. In 1989 she initiated the ongoing annual Children's Dance Theater in Ames, Iowa to make sure an educated audience is being formed for modern dance in her own town.

Valerie's training includes a broad range of technical study, but her experiences include much more: scholarly reconstructions of Early Dance, advanced study in biomechanics and kinesiology, and running a successful dance company. Valerie has an excellent eye for movement and has coached all ages and experience levels.

Valerie believes in the education of physical, intellectual and spiritual intelligences and has found no other form as fitting as dance and creative movement. Besides constantly seeking to make sure people have a positive experience in dance/movement, Valerie expresses a contagious joy in the art form. She is a frequently requested Artist In the Schools in a nine state region, and has worked in that program since 1978. Valerie has taught in elementary and secondary schools as well as universities, colleges and dance schools. She presents workshops, teacher in-service, seminars and residencies in Creative Movement, Composition, Movement and Curriculum, Biomechanics, Dance Technique,

Valerie Williams is a powerful and lyrical dancer who is able to affect an audience, and is also an articulate defender of the art form. Valerie dances because nothing else exercises her mind, body and spirit together so well. She teaches because she feels compelled to spread the joy of moving freely and individually with discipline. Valerie choreographs because she has something to say that can be communicated uniquely through dance.