Meet The Dance Faculty  

James R. Atkinson, Jr. is a native of New Haven, Connecticut, and currently serves as an Associate Professor and Director of Dance at Alabama State University. He is one of the founding faculty members of the BFA Program in the Fall of 2013. Mr. Atkinson earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from the Tisch School of Arts at New York University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Purchase College, State University of New York (SUNY), within the School of Arts' Conservatory of Dance. As a performing artist, Mr. Atkinson has worked with notable dance companies including New England Ballet and Sonya Plum Dance Company in Connecticut. He made his debut with the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble during his junior year of college, and as a senior, he was selected to perform with Ballet Preljocaj during their American tour at Purchase College. Throughout his career, he has been a company member of Gleich Dances Contemporary Ballet, Compania de Danza Contemporanea de Burgos, Sacramento Ballet, Ballet British Columbia, Oakland Ballet, Capacitor, and Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre. He has also appeared as a soloist with the Columbia City Ballet for two seasons.

Morgan A. Jackson is a dynamic dance educator, accomplished choreographer, dedicated researcher, and captivating performing artist. Her unwavering passion lies in effecting change through dance education. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees in Dance from The University of Alabama, where she was part of their inaugural MFA program.

Morgan's specialization encompasses both traditional and vernacular jazz forms. Her research is a testament to her commitment to infusing Africanist aesthetics into jazz dance pedagogy. She tirelessly works to deconstruct the Eurocentric structures traditionally ingrained in higher education dance programs. Presently, she holds the position of Assistant Professor of Dance at Alabama State University.

Rodni Williams is a native of Miami, Florida, and a distinguished figure in the world of dance. He holds a Master’s of Fine Arts degree from The University of Arizona, Tucson, which he earned in 2013.  Mr. Williams completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance at Adelphi University.  He  honed his skills under the tutelage of prestigious institutions, including the Dance Theater of Harlem and The Ailey School. His impressive professional career spans across renowned dance companies such as the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Wylliams / Henry Danse Theater (from its inception), The MAFATA Dance Co, NY, Rod Rogers Dance Co., Garth Fagan Dance, The Clive Thompson Dance Company, The Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater, and Deeply Rooted, among others.

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