J Michael Winward is an independent dance artist based in Boston. With influences in American-style ballroom, ballet, contemporary and somatic dance practices, his work places a strong focus on building connection: connection to one’s body, one’s self, one’s audience, connection between dance partners, connection within and across communities. Michael received a Bachelor of Arts with a focus in Dance and Drama from Bennington College, spending one term abroad at the Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance in Austria. Michael spent seven years dancing with, and eventually managing, the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Plymouth, Massachusetts. During his competitive career, he was a consistent advocate of for the inclusion of same-sex partnership in mainstream Ballroom and Latin dance competition, and was awarded multiple national and North American titles, sanctioned by the North American Same-Sex Partner Dance Association. In addition to producing, performing, and touring his solo dance repertory, Michael dances with Peter DiMuro/Public Displays of Motion. Along with Maggie Cee, he co-produces Dancing Queerly, a festival of workshops, mixers, panel discussions, and performances by and for the LGBTQIA+ community, friends and allies. Through his program Steps in Time, Michael bring social ballroom dancing to senior, elder, and memory care communities throughout Greater Boston.

jmichaelwinward.com 

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Photo by: Olivia Moon Photography/@halfasianlens