Terrance M. Johnson
Terrance Johnson is a native of Alexandria, Louisiana, where the vibrant colors of the Red River and the sounds of Zydeco music are integral to daily life. As a proud descendant of Louisiana-French Creole heritage, he grew up in a family deeply connected to rich cultural traditions. These influences shaped his upbringing and fostered a profound appreciation for the expressive arts, which have become central to his identity.
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Where it all began
Terrance’s journey into the arts began with music rather than dance. His first love was the clarinet, which he started playing in fifth grade at Ball Elementary School. His success in music led to participation in district and state honor bands, solo and ensemble contests, and eventually, a place in the Peabody Magnet High School marching band.
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After high school, Terrance traded his clarinet for a megaphone and became a co-ed cheerleader at Southern University A&M College. It was through cheerleading that he was introduced to dance. Arriving early for cheer practice, he trained with the university's Gold and Bluez dance team. As he refined his skills in jazz technique, his love for dance blossomed. He graduated from Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Sales Marketing.
Executive & Artistic Experience
Following his graduation, Terrance relocated to Dallas, Texas, to embark on a career in corporate America as a sales marketing professional for Fortune 500 companies, including Bank of America and International Business Machines (IBM). During this time, he continued to train at the Dallas Black Dance Academy and eventually became a member of Dallas Black Dance Theatre II. His experience with DBDT allowed him to learn from renowned master teachers and perform works by celebrated choreographers. Additionally, he trained at various institutions and programs, including The Ailey School, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, the American Dance Festival, and The School of Contemporary Ballet Dallas. He has performed with several companies, including Beckles Dance Company, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Contemporary Ballet Dallas, Dallas Neo-Classical Ballet, and the Dallas Opera.
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Terrance later earned a Master of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography from Texas Woman’s University. Since then, he has served as adjunct faculty at several colleges, including Dallas College, Tarrant County College, and Texas Woman’s University. Currently, he coaches the Langston University Golden Feline Dancers.
In 2016, Terrance founded the TMJ Dance Project to provide children in underserved communities with equal access to dance opportunities.
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