Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Johnson
Hi Mary, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Mary Johnson was born in Harlem, New York and at age three began a lifelong journey in the power of dance. Her passion for dance was born! Mary’s dance blossomed as she was taught and influenced by Ruby Magby, Ruth Williams, Alvin Ailey, and Steps on Broadway, in addition to being trained professionally with Frank Hatchett of Broadway Dance Center.
Mary and her family moved to Long Island, New York when she was twelve, where she along with her mother, Adele Johnson, co-founded the first African American dance school on long island – the Adele Johnson’s School of Performing Arts. It was there that Mary saw the transformative power of dance on young people, which fueled her passion to influence students who might not otherwise have this opportunity.
Mary began training students in and for the performing arts – leading them to performances at Carnegie Hall, New York State World’s Fair, and Hofstra University, among others.
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Mary’s dedication to her craft and community is evident in her diverse range of experiences. In addition to her personal training and studies (private lessons) she shared her expertise widely:
* Mary continued to teach and train students from The Adele Johnson’s School of the Performing Arts for world-wide performance tours.
* She taught weekly dance classes to children at Lakeview Cottages (a homeless facility) in Peekskill, NY.
* She also taught weekly dance classes at The Taconic Correctional Facility, a women’s prison in Bedford Hills, NY.
* Additionally, she taught weekly dance classes to the Somali Bantu Refugees, in collaboration with Refugee Resources Inc., Dallas, Texas.
* Mary flew biweekly to Mirebalais, Haiti to teach ballet and tap dance classes to the Orphans at Global Vision Citadelle Ministries.
Some of Mary’s accomplishments include:
* Sharing stages with Gregory Hines and Savion Glover.
* Founding, directing, and choreographing On Time Dance Studio in Westchester, NY.
* Touring with Babatunde Olatunji (Drums of Passion) and Nina Simone; and traveling with Three Sisters’ Tappin.
Out of Mary’s passion for teaching inner-city children –
IMAGINE… The Impossible for Every Child: Performing Arts Center
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
IMAGINE…The Impossible for Every Child: Performing Arts Center (IMAGINE…)
Teaching underserved children, the essential life skills of hard work, goal setting, self-discipline, and structure through classical ballet has a profound impact on every aspect of their lives. Its positive effects ripples through their families, schools, and communities.
Through Professional C;lassical Ballet training, these inner-city children learn that they can conquer anything with the proper preparation. They discover that the world is bigger and more beautiful than they might have imagined.
Our students cannot appreciate what they have not been exposed to. IMAGINE… exposes our students to travel, theater, opera, museums, the symphony, and fine dining.
When children are exposed to classical ballet and classical music, they are inspired to be creative thinkers and pursue academic excellence!
Classical Music Classical Ballet Classical Art
Exposure to classical ballet touches their imaginations and forever changes them. We host special ballet movie nights where we watch and learn about famous classical and contemporary dance works, such as Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Giselle, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Dance Theater of Harlem, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Coppelia, Don Quixote, and Firebird. We invite the community to these events, and the rooms are usually overflowing!
Not all students will choose to pursue ballet as a profession. Nevertheless, IMAGINE… will give them the tools needed to pursue a career as a classically trained ballerina or ballet dancer should they desire.
IMAGINE… is about opening a world for these children that may never otherwise be opened outside of their communities.
For children of color—boys and girls, Black and Latino—IMAGINE… offers an avenue of outreach. We introduce them to how many professional athletes have studied ballet to counteract negative connotations and thoughts about ballet. We move beyond the traditional European art form and focus on what these children and ballet can achieve together – opportunities for these inner-city children to learn Professional Classical Ballet – a traditionally white-dominated field!
We enter these brown and black communities and show these children and their communities the brown and black ballet dancers who are Never seen in history books. Those Black ballerinas and ballet dancers who have gone before us and have danced and studied ballet Exceptionally well ~ achieving Phenomenal Success!
There is a certain joy that comes with being rewarded for your hard work and training by on-stage performances!
It lifts you above all circumstances.
Ballet is truly magical. It transforms the dancers, and it transforms you!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Ballet is so much more than just Dance.
It’s an athletic and technical art form that offers incredible benefits for boys and girls, especially those involved in sports.
Through ballet, they develop discipline, structure, and rigor, all while experiencing the joy and artistry of movement ~
enhancing various aspects of their lives.
Ballet is a unique combination of artistry and athleticism!
IMAGINE… ~ Builds Character!
The structure & discipline of our classical ballet classes ~ involve consistent practice, progression, a sense of responsibility,
and helps the dancer develop strong work ethics and self-respect.
Ballet teaches children the importance of showing up ON Time, being present, and doing their very best Every Day,
even when faced with many challenges.
Ballet helps to increase children’s school attendance and engagement ~
We are intentionally focused on predominantly serving underserved Black and Latino children, boys and girls aged 4-16, some of whom are exclusively Spanish speakers. We cater to language barriers to ensure that all children have access to our programs.
An Extraordinary Experience where the Joy of Ballet Begins!
IMAGINE…The Impossible for Every Child: Performing Arts Center
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
IMAGINE… a world where every child’s potential is unlocked through the Power of Professional Classical Ballet training & The Performing Arts!
IMAGINE…The Impossible for Every Child: Performing Arts Center (IMAGINE…)
IMAGINE… is preparing to turn that dream into reality with our new State-of-the-Art Performing Arts Center ~
a cornerstone of the community.
This Stand-alone building will provide our students with an environment conducive to learning, free from the distractions of traditional school settings while breaking cycles of generational poverty and underachievement.
IMAGINE…will provide unparalleled access to classical ballet training with an intentional focus on serving predominantly Black and Latino children, boys and girls aged 4-16!
The transformative Power of Classical Ballet Training.
We Must help the Dancer to Grow Up Right ~ and this involves the Community’s HELP!
Our Aim:
to break the cycles of generational poverty and underachievement of inner-city children in Houston by providing unparalleled access to professional classical ballet training.
By doing so, we aim to empower children to become leaders in their communities, equipped with the discipline, creativity, and confidence that comes from a strong foundation in the arts.
Our Goal:
We are dedicated to establishing and creating a State-of-the-Art, Performing Arts Center in Houston, Texas’ Fifth Ward, to establish IMAGINE… as a cornerstone of the community.
In Summary:
this stand-alone building will provide our students with a distraction-free environment that is conducive to both learning and academic success. Again, our unwavering overarching goal is to break the cycles of generational poverty and underachievement by providing unparalleled access to classical ballet training.
How Your Donation / Support / Collaboration Makes a Difference:
• Help fund the construction of a State-of-the-Art facility designed for creativity and community.
• Provide classical musical instruments, costumes, and equipment essential for professional performances and learning.
• Support Young Talent: Fund scholarships – no financial barrier will stand in the way of a child’s dream.
• Empower Through Education: Enable us to bring in passionate educators and mentors who can inspire confidence & build skills.
• Create a Lasting Legacy: Together, we can create a lasting legacy of empowerment, cultural enrichment, and community revitalization in one of Houston’s most underserved neighborhoods.
Donate today and be a part of this transformative journey. Together, we can create a legacy of creativity, confidence, and community that will light up the lives of countless young artists.
Looking ahead as we launch this year in Houston, we are filled with excitement & determination to continue building on this work ~
We can’t wait to illuminate the stage and share the power of ballet with YOU and our Community!
As we prepare for the 2025 Grand Opening in our own facility.
Thank you for supporting IMAGINE…The Impossible for Every Child: Performing Arts Center
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imaginetheimpossible.org
- Instagram: Imaginetheimpossible_org
