Will Johnston has been training in dance since the age of four.  Coming

from San Jose, CA., he received the majority of his training at A.K.A.

Company under the direction of Kelly and Alex Velasquez.  Currently

in his 5th year at UC Irvine, Will is working toward a BFA in Dance

Performance, a BFA in Dance Choreography, and a BS in Mechanical

Engineering.  While at UCI, he has had the privilege of performing works

by renowned faculty members Jodie Gates, Loretta Livingston, and Lisa

Naugle.  Will was a member of the legendary Donald McKayle’s UCI

Etude Ensemble for four years and had the honor of performing both

original and classic works such as Rainbow Round My Shoulder” and

“Long Lonesome Way.”  Will has been lucky enough to perform these

works at prestigious dance events such as the Laguna Beach Dance

Festival founded by Jodie Gates.  Will is also a member of Tayeh Dance

Company, performing works choreographed by Sonya Tayeh, one of

which premiered at the City Center in New York City in November 2009.

    In addition to performing for Tayeh, Will assisted the choreographer on season five of Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” as well as the national commercial for ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”  Will’s passion also lies in the art of choreography.  He has choreographed numerous works for local studios in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as for

various UCI dance productions.  Currently, Will is the assistant director of Westside Dance Project, directed by Jessie Rae Hartley as well as Co-Director of Boogiezone’s contemporary company, Entity.