Bill Evans (dancer)
Encyclopedia
Bill Evans is an internationally-known choreographer, performer, teacher, administrator, and movement analyst. More than 200 of Evans' works have been performed by professional and pre-professional ballet, modern dance, and tap companies through the United States and in Canada, Mexico, Europe and New Zealand. He was a leading dancer and major choreographer with Utah Repertory Dance Theatre (1968–74). In 1970, he founded the Bill Evans Solo Dance Repertory. He is currently the Artistic Director for the Bill Evans Dance Company (founded in 1975) and the Bill Evans Rhythm Tap Ensemble (founded in 1992). He is Emeritus Professor of Dance at the University of New Mexico
in Albuquerque, where he served as a full-time faculty member from 1988-2004.
A native of Utah, Bill Evans began his performing career during childhood. He went on to study at the University of Utah
, receiving a BA in English, a BA equivalent in ballet, and an MFA in modern dance. He joined Utah Repertory Dance Theatre in 1968, where he quickly distinguished himself as a leading dancer and choreographer. Noteworthy dances from this time period include Five Songs in August, For Betty, Tin-Tal, Piano Rags, The Legacy, and Hard Times.
In 1975, Bill Evans left Utah Repertory Dance Theatre to form the Bill Evans Dance Company in Seattle, Washington. He became Director of Dance Theatre Seattle in 1976, which, at the time, was the largest school of dance in the Pacific Northwest. In 1988, Mr. Evans joined University of New Mexico
Dance Program as a full professor.
Bill Evans has made thousands of appearances will ballet, modern dance and tap companies, and as a solo concert artist. As a choreographer, Evans is known for his diversity, range of expression and rhythmic inventiveness. One of his foremost achievements has been the creation of a modern dance technique that emphasizes total mind-body integration and that has influenced numerous dancers and dance teachers since 1976.
Bill Evans has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship
and thirteen fellowships and grants from the National Endowments for the Arts. In 2004, he was selected, along with Savion Glover
and Brenda Bufalino
, as one of three favorite national tap dance artists in the 2004 Dance Magazine
Readers Choice Poll. In 2005, Evans received the National Dance Education Organization's Lifetime Achievement award.
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
in Albuquerque, where he served as a full-time faculty member from 1988-2004.
A native of Utah, Bill Evans began his performing career during childhood. He went on to study at the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
, receiving a BA in English, a BA equivalent in ballet, and an MFA in modern dance. He joined Utah Repertory Dance Theatre in 1968, where he quickly distinguished himself as a leading dancer and choreographer. Noteworthy dances from this time period include Five Songs in August, For Betty, Tin-Tal, Piano Rags, The Legacy, and Hard Times.
In 1975, Bill Evans left Utah Repertory Dance Theatre to form the Bill Evans Dance Company in Seattle, Washington. He became Director of Dance Theatre Seattle in 1976, which, at the time, was the largest school of dance in the Pacific Northwest. In 1988, Mr. Evans joined University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
Dance Program as a full professor.
Bill Evans has made thousands of appearances will ballet, modern dance and tap companies, and as a solo concert artist. As a choreographer, Evans is known for his diversity, range of expression and rhythmic inventiveness. One of his foremost achievements has been the creation of a modern dance technique that emphasizes total mind-body integration and that has influenced numerous dancers and dance teachers since 1976.
Bill Evans has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowships are American grants that have been awarded annually since 1925 by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation to those "who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts." Each year, the foundation makes...
and thirteen fellowships and grants from the National Endowments for the Arts. In 2004, he was selected, along with Savion Glover
Savion Glover
Savion Glover is an American tap dancer, actor, and choreographer. As a learning prodigy, he was taught by notable dancers from previous generations. Glover is currently interested in restoring African roots to tap...
and Brenda Bufalino
Brenda Bufalino
Brenda Bufalino is an artist of the tap dance world. In a career spanning several decades, she has worked with many influential artists. Bufalino founded the .-External links:**...
, as one of three favorite national tap dance artists in the 2004 Dance Magazine
Dance Magazine
Dance Magazine is an "influential" American trade publication for dance, currently published by the Macfadden Communications Group. It was first published in June 1927 as The American Dancer. William Como was its editor-in-chief from 1970 to his death in 1989. Wendy Perron became its editor-in...
Readers Choice Poll. In 2005, Evans received the National Dance Education Organization's Lifetime Achievement award.