Will Johnston

Will Johnston has been training in dance since the age of four. Coming from San Jose, CA, he received the majority of his training at A.K.A Dance Company under the direction of Kelly and Alex Velasquez. Will graduated from the University of California: Irvine with a B.F.A in Dance Performance, a B.F.A in Dance Choreography, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. While at UCI, he was a four-year member of the legendary Donald McKayle’s UCI Etude Ensemble and a member of CADC. Will has performed works choreographed by Erica Sobol, Loretta Livingston, Jodie Gates, Lisa Naugle, and Israel “El” Gabriel.Will assisted the choreographer on season five and seven of Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance

Will is also a member of Tayeh Dance Company, performing works choreographed by Sonya Tayeh, one of which premiered at the City Center in New York City, in November 2009. In addition to performing for Tayeh, Will assisted the choreographer on season five and seven of Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance as well as the national commercial for ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Will’s passion also lies in the art of choreography. He has choreographed a piece on Mike Esperanza’s BARE Dance Company, numerous works for local studios in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as for various UCI dance productions. He has had the honor of showcasing twelve works at UCI, one of which was invited to perform by former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater member, Stephanie Powell, in Long Beach, CA.

Will along with co-choreographer, Jenna Otter, was awarded the Grand Prize Award at the prestigious Dancing Under the Stars Choreography Festival, in Palm Desert, CA, for their duet entitled “Amongst the Hedges.” Currently, Will is represented by Clear Talent Group in Los Angeles, is the assistant director of Westside Dance Project, as well as Co-Director of Boogiezone’s contemporary company, ENTITY. As a teacher, will has taught for numerous studios and workshops all throughout California, Australia, and Singapore.