Wilson, John W., 1927-1992.

Founding member of the Joffrey Ballet, John Wilson was a prolific performer, composer, and choreographer, who taught and created dance and music in a variety of styles.

Wilson was born in Los Angeles in 1948 and studied language and dance at Pomona College in Claremont, California. He later studied dance in New York with Katherine Dunham and trained in eurythmics at the Dalcroze Institute in Geneva. As a dancer, Wilson was with the Joffrey from 1956 until 1964, when he joined the Harkness Ballet. As a solo performer, Wilson appeared in the companies of Joyce Trisler, Pearl Lang, Anna Sokolow and Valerie Bettis, and with the Julliard Dance Theater under the direction of Doris Humphrey. Wilson also toured extensively with the Dance Theater Workshop and collaborated with Lenore Latimer at the American Theater Workshop. Additionally, he was a member of Kei Takei's Moving Earth.

As a choreographer, Mr. Wilson presented works in New York with his own company at Dancers Studio, ChoreoConcerts, and the Dance Theater Workshop. Wilson's work has been performed by such small theater groups as the SoHo Rep, LaMama, and South Street Theater in New York and the Theater Group in Los Angeles. Wilson also was a scholar of the Dada Surrealist movement and presented many lectures and workshops on the subject. He served on the faculty of several institutions over his career, including the Julliard School, the Laban Center of London, and the Harkness School. John Wilson also served on the board of Dance Theater Workshop and was a member of the Actors Equity Association and The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. John Wilson died of AIDS in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Manhattan on February 24, 1992.

John Wilson performed, taught and created dance and music. He was born in Los Angeles in 1948 and studied language and dance at Pomona College in Claremont, California. He also studied dance in New York with Katherine Dunham and trained in eurythmics at the Delcroze Institute in Geneva. Wilson was a founding member of the Joffrey Ballet Co. with whom he danced from 1956 until 1964 when he joined the Harkness Ballet.

He appeared on ABC-TV, with the NBC Opera Co., and with the NYC Opera. He also staged opera for the Fifth Ave. Opera Co. As a choreographer, Mr. Wilson presented works in NY with his own company, at Dancers Studio, ChoreoConcerts, and the Dance Theater Workshop. Wilson’s work has been performed by such small theater groups as the SoHo Rep, LaMama and South Street Theater in New York, and the Theater Group in Los Angeles. He danced as a solo performer, appeared in the companies of Joyce Trisler, Pearl Lang, Anna Sokolow and Valerie Bettis, and with the Julliard Dance Theater under the direction of Doris Humphrey.

Wilson toured America and Europe with the Dance Theater Workshop, and collaborated with Lenore Latimer at the American Theater Workshop. He was also a member of Kei Takei’s Moving Earth. Wilson was a scholar of the Dada Surrealist movement and presented lectures and workshops on the subject at Colorado College, University of Illinois, Vassar College and the Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts.

Wilson served on the faculty of the Julliard School, the School of Theater at Boston University, Connecticut College, the Lincoln Center Insitute, the Laban Center of London and the Harkness School. For two seasons he was artist-in-residence at the University of Buffalo. He toured to Russia, India and around USA with the Harkness Ballet. John Wilson also served on the board of Dance Theater Workshop and was a member of Actor’s Equity and The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

John Wilson died of AIDS in the Veterans Administration Hospital of Manhattan on February 24, 1992.

Source: The New York Times Obituary. "John Wilson, a Joffrey Founder, Choreographer and Teacher, 64." Proquest Historical Newspapers, The New York Times (1857-Current file): Feb. 28 1992, P. B6