Helanius
J. Wilkins, a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, is an award-winning choreographer,
performance artist, and instructor based in Washington DC. He is the
Founder & Artistic Director of EDGEWORKS Dance Theater, Washington
DC's premier all male contemporary dance company of predominately African-American
men. He is a 2006 Recipient of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing
Arts Local Dance Commissioning Project, an award he also received in
2002; and the 2001 Metro DC Dance “Emerging Choreographer”
award. In addition to performing the works of several internationally
recognized choreographers, he has enjoyed creating, presenting, and
receiving commissions for choreography throughout the United States
and abroad. Foundations and organizations including The New England
Foundation for the Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Puffin
Foundation, and DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities have supported
Wilkins' work. Wilkins is a much sought-after instructor who teaches
professional and pre-professional dancers, as well as students of various
ages and levels of skill. He has served as an adjudicator and master
teacher at American College Dance Festivals in 2004, 2005, and 2007.
He is a former Associate Artistic Director of the Dance Institute of
Washington. He is currently on faculty at Joy of Motion Dance Center.
Photo
by Stephen Baranovics
