Rodney Williams

Rodney L. Williams, or Mr. Rodney as he is known by the thousands of dance students he has nurtured during his career. A graduate of William and Mary with a BA in Music Composition and Dance Choreography. Where he received the 1976 Martin Luther King, Jr. academic scholarship and the Steven Palades Music Scholarship. After completing his BA at William and Mary, he went on to teach in Richmond Public Schools from 1980-1992 as a music teacher. While there, he won a Teacher of The Year award. Also, in 1980 he became director of City Dance Theatre (CDT) through Richmond City Parks and Recreation, the youth performance company for the Richmond City Parks and Recreation Dance program.

Mr. Rodney made a career change in 1992 when he became the Director of Dance for Longwood Company of Dancers, and a Professor at the University. During this time, he went on to win College Dance Educator of the year with Virginia Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance (VaPHERD). Where, over the years, he has taught numerous professional development workshops for VaPHERD conference attendees. In addition to music performances, he has adjudicated dance for Miss America (2000) and received a John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts Teacher Fellowship. He continues to work as director of Richmond City Dance Troupe and enjoys creating powerful choreographic works that showcase the virtuosity of the students in the program. In his tenure as director for CDT, students have received scholarships for dance programs, won pageants, dance company positions, and some have become educators as well. Mr. Rodney continues to inspire the inner artist in everyone he meets.