Jawole Willa Jo Zollar

Jawole Willa Jo Zollar (born 21 December 1950) is an American dancer and choreographer. Quotes As an African-American person who grew up in an all-Black community, because of racism, I was aware that once I stepped outside of my community, I was stepping into a world that I really didn’t know much about. One I didn’t really have any direct contact with that I’d only seen on television Once you understand it was no accident that “race” was built into city planning and development—or the deliberateness of exclusion—you can begin to really understand why it’s important we break down those barriers We deliberately avoid labels in the important work we do because we feel they are reductive Do your work as an artist, stay connected to what is true to you and what’s important to you as an artist, and be present in the world; the rest will emerge My creative perspective is whatever you are, whoever you are, and whatever you’ve experienced, goes into your work I don’t want someone who’s just like me, who thinks like me. I’m attracted to people who have something different, who bring a different perspective, but that can find something together beyond comfort because that’s where I think the learning occurs The hidden magic inside of creative tension is like a back and forth tennis match. Sometimes you don’t know where it’s going to go. It’s unknown, but the tension of the game between excellent players and seeing it through is magic That’s what I want, to do work that continues to excite me, push me, and terrify me Sometimes in the terror of the unknown, of that which challenges you, that’s where breakthroughs can occur Discomfort, not to be mistaken for harm or abuse, is part of the growth process Movement and Legacy: The Advocacy of Jawole Willa Jo Zollar n.d Innovators that are in the arts are the under-told story I'm bothered by the fact that if I ask people within the dance world to name five to six choreographers, African-American choreographers with a national reputation, most can't get to six. And that, to me, is troubling We're missing the voice of African-American artists; we're really missing a voice that's a vital part of America Jawole Willa Jo Zollar 2011 Risk exists on the edge of failure…so if you’re not right on that edge of failure…you’re not in a place of risk. Living on that edge and learning from that edge to me is a really exciting place Questions of Practice: Choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar on Artistic Evolution and Risk 2 November 2016 The situation in COVID is uncovering is that our lives actually are not going to be invisible to our work People who are most affected by decisions need to be at the forefront of the decision-making A “no” is not a place to be angry about If I was chasing success, I was chasing the wrong thing Trust the uniqueness of your footprint Research in Movement: Running, Directing, and Funding a World-Class Dance Company, Featuring Jawole Willa Jo Zollar February 2021 External links Category:Dancers from the United States Category:Choreographers Category:1950 births Category:Living people Category:African Americans