Visiting his father’s office as a small child, Graham Johns ’14 would often get distracted by the dance studio on the first floor of the office building. Taken by the grace and quality of the dancer’s movement, Johns felt the urge to experience the art form for himself. Johns’ fascination and passion for dance has only grown stronger since then, and continues to develop as he pursues his dance career.
“I started dancing when I was 11, so about six, seven years now. Before that, I had done some gymnastics, and had taken some modern dance movement classes when I was younger,” said Johns. “I took a little bit of a break from that, I was in a theatre production at one point, and someone recognized my movement quality and asked me if I would audition for scholarships at this dance school a couple of towns over. I went, and I auditioned, and was given a full scholarship.”
Johns has starred in Andover Dance Group (ADG) in every term at his time at Andover and every dance show, excluding the South African Show, which he will be unable to attend. Proving himself a gifted leader in addition to a talented dancer, Johns has directed Grasshopper Night for the last two years and was Director of Dance Open this past year.
Johns has been inspired by the human body, and the diversity of movement that the human body is capable of.
“Being comfortable with how your body moves, and what your body feels like, I don’t think anyone can really tell that besides ballet dancers and modern dancers,” said Johns. “I get a lot of inspiration just from the way my own body moves, the shapes of the body, the curves and trying to mirror natural movements.”
Fully immersed in the dance program at Andover, Johns juggles a full course load and club membership on top of dance.
“Dance is so all-encompassing because it really acts as an extracurricular, and a sport, and a class, that sometimes, occasionally, it’s like a full-time job,” Johns noted. “Because I’ve been doing it since [Junior] year, it’s kind of second nature at this point…. I kind of found my way into it. You have to understand what you’re taking on, before you take it on.”
Johns stresses the influence the Andover dance program has had on his dancing abilities and interpretations, opening his eyes to new styles and forms of dance. Though he came to Andover as a strict ballet dancer, Johns has been able to explore other types of dance and their benefits to his development as a dancer.
“Learning different styles of dance has allowed me to form myself as a dancer, in way that’s not necessarily the cookie-cutter ballet dancer that people see,” Johns said. “And I think that’s allowed me to be very emotive in my dancing.”
One of Johns’ most striking experience was this past Fall Term, when he performed a Senior Recital, choreographed by Judith Wombwell. The piece reflected Johns’ time at Andover, beginning at the barre, and moving through many different steps, leading up to a complicated solo by Johns.
“That was really emotional for me, just being able to perform that,” Johns said. “Just being able to perform that in front of a very sizeable audience in Tang [Theatre], and family, close relatives, and friends. I remember, I came out into Steinbach Lobby where we were having a little reception afterwards, and everyone turned to the four [dancers], and started clapping so loud. I was completely overcome with emotion.”
In addition, Johns was recently named a Young Arts Winner, an award given by a national foundation that recognizes and funds young and working artists. “I went to Young Arts week at the beginning of the term. Moments of recognition like that, when you realize the impact the arts have, and that reaffirmation that what you’re doing has worth,” said Johns.
Johns plans to continue his dance studies as a trainee at a balet school after graduation.