Today we’d like to introduce you to J Michael Winward.
Thanks for sharing your story with us J Michael. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am an independent dance artist based in Boston. With influences in American-style ballroom, ballet, contemporary and somatic dance practices, my 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. During my career as a competitive ballroom dancer, I advocated for the inclusion of same-sex partnership in mainstream competition. Along with Maggie Cee, I co-produce “Dancing Queerly”, a month-long queer dance festival of workshops, mixers, panel discussions, and performances. Dancing with Peter DiMuro/Public Displays of Motion (PDM), I work to advance the PDM mission of cultivating dance/arts literacy, advocacy and engagement. Through my program Steps in Time, I bring social ballroom dancing to senior, elder, and memory care communities throughout Greater Boston.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was a struggle for me to understand where and how I fit into ballroom dancing culture. Of the dance styles I practice, ballroom feels most heavily rooted in traditional gender and sexual norms. When I was starting out, I would practice, perform, and compete with women, because I did not see any other options. Once I discovered the world of same-sex partner dancing, I realized there was a strong contingent of dancers–in the U.S. and across Europe–who wanted their dance practice to reflect who they are–and not what the culture expects of them. (The most widely followed competition rulebook still states that “A couple is defined as a male and a female, with the male dancing the part of the lead and the female dancing the part of the follow…Exceptions are not allowed.”) Until I began competing and performing with other men, I started to think ballroom dancing was kind of silly–beautiful at times, but on the whole garish and phony looking. When the practice came to match my own ideas of romance and partnership, I became reinvested in it–and re-inspired to share it with others.
Please tell us about J Michael Winward.
In addition to my work as a performer and choreographer, I run Steps in Time: a program that brings social ballroom dancing to senior, elder, and memory care communities throughout Greater Boston. When I was teaching at a ballroom studio, the student I worked with most closely and regularly was a woman who began dancing at the age of 79–and competing at 80! She was always such an inspiration to me. When I retired from competitive dancing two years ago, I started cold-calling senior centers and assisted living communities, offering complimentary dance classes. Two years later, Steps in Time now serves over 40 communities in and around Greater Boston. I have the privilege of dancing with hundreds of dance partners every month. The thing I hear most often is, “I haven’t danced in years!” And the response I give most often is, “You can’t say that after today!”
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Forcing the next door neighbor kids to recreate the opening scene from “Sister Act” in the backyard, so that I could play Whoopi.
Contact Info:
- Website: jmichaelwinward.com
- Email: jmichaelwinward@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Personal Photo: Choreography by Peter DiMuro/Public Displays of Motion, photo by Sally Cohn, courtesy of The Yard, 2017.
Solo photo with hands and foot on the floor: Choreography by Peter DiMuro/Public Displays of Motion, photo by David M. Young.
Solo photo standing by Short Photo Co.
Olivia Blaisdell Photography
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