We recently connected with Julie Williams and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Julie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I have two moments when I knew I wanted to perform professionally. My mom waking me up to see the Rockettes on tv for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the first time I saw Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in concert at 11 years old. I was blown away! From the sparkling costumes and high kicks to dancers that looked like me moving gracefully to spirituals my ancestors once sung. It had me in a chokehold! I fell in love with the art. I danced around the house in scarves and created my own choreography. I told myself one day…that would be me.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Julie “Osaka Jay” Williams,(37) and I’m a Professional Dancer and Licensed Esthetician residing in Jacksonville, Florida. I attended Douglas Anderson School of the Arts for high school majoring in dance and Jacksonville Centre of the Arts. For undergrad, I attended New School of the Arts in Miami Florida on full scholarship. As a Freshman, I was a member of the Freddick Bratcher Dance Company. While at New World, I performed dance works from Peter London, Robert Battle, Doris Humphrey, Martha Graham, and Garth Fagan. In 2009, I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance. After graduation, I moved back to Jacksonville to choreograph and teach at performing arts schools and dance studios. In 2012, I received my certification in the Horton Technique at The Ailey School in New York. My first contract gig was an Entertainer at Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan. I’m currently teaching at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and The Florida Ballet and a Licensed Esthetician specializing in facials and brows.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
In 2013, I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia which is a rare form of cancer in the blood. It shifted everything I knew about life. The moment the doctor told me about my diagnosis, I immediately hung up my dreams and prepared for a life without the arts. But its the arts that got me through the dark times. People never believe me when I share my testimony. I don’t look like what I’ve been through. It’s nobody but God!
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Support! Donate! Share! A little goes a long way in our world. The same way we support in attending NFL games and A-list artists in concerts, the arts community needs that energy. That’s how we thrive!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://livingosakajay.com
- Instagram: @livingosakajay
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-williams-93905432?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
KD Sawyer- @portraits_de_scieur
Kimberley Maxine- @kimberley.maxine
D’Avril- @april.visuals
FireBird Creative -@firebirdcreative