Today we’d like to introduce you to Darrius Strong.
Hi Darrius, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Minnesota at the age of 7. I have 4 brothers who are all versatile with art whether that is dance, visual arts, or music. Their names are Keith, Marcus, Dominick, and Dylan Strong! I grew up dancing with my brothers Keith and Marcus as we have the same Mom and Dad. When we were living in Chicago, my brothers Keith and Marcus and I didn’t live the easiest life.
Our mother battled drug addiction and our father worked quite often to provide for us three. Though it wasn’t the easiest childhood, it is what created the artist I am today. Often when me and my brothers we at home we would watch an artist like Micheal Jackson and James Brown and find ourselves being very inspired by their movement. We often spent time alone at home and would challenge each other to a dance battle and play creative games in our living room.
After watching a Micheal Jackson performance we would dance around the house imitating his moves and energy, the idea of entertaining was very intriguing to us. Fast forward to Minnesota, my brothers and I started hitting the stage and creating together at Henry Sibley High school where we were known as StrongKrew.
We often collaborated and created dances together in our basement, and at that time we found ourselves heavily inspired by styles such as Krump, Popping, and Locking, and artists like Chris Brown, Usher, and Omarion this artist not only sang but found creative ways to incorporate dance with their music. Together my brothers and I performed at school talent shows/ events and also entertained at private birthday parties and Bar Mitzvahs.
Later in our high school career, we were hired to work at a recreational studio by the name of Rhythm and Shoes. There we co-taught hip hop to kids ages 5-18 and often taught Adult workshops. We continued creating and performing for our students and their families at the yearly recital. After High school to find financial stability my brothers Keith and Marcus stopped performing and teaching but I continued.
While teaching I attended Inver Hills Community College where I completed my generals and took on EMT courses. In 2012 I transferred to the U of M to attend their Dance program where I received my BFA in dance. During my time in the dance program, I studied Ballet, Modern Jazz, and West African movement and had the opportunity to work with choreographers from all over the United States. I also pushed my knowledge and interest in choreographing.
I began to immerse my hip-hop experience and style in other genres of dance to create stories. Creating stories through movement was heavily inspired by my experience with a West African Dance company by the name of Voice of Culture, directed by a good friend and mentor Kenna Cottman. In 2015, I founded my dance company STRONGmovement where I would continue to create original work and work with local dance professional dance artists.
During the time creating with my company, I dance with companies such as Shapiro & Smith, and Black Label. I also performed in many other choreographers’ work around the twin cities. Although I had a passion for dancing I was intrigued by the choreographic process. I took the time when dancing with companies to observe and learn more about the behind-the-scenes of creating.
Between the years 2015-2021, I was hired as a guest choreographer for James Sewell Ballet, Threads Dance Project, Flying foot Forum, Alternative Motion Project, TU dance, and other companies. I also continued my teaching journey and career through U of M, Macalester College, and Hamline University, and even had the opportunity to work with Sacramento State University during the Pandemic. I also continued to educate in many different middle and high schools.
In 2015, I began building the hip-hop program at Eleve Performing Art Center where I am now the director of the hip-hop program. In addition, I am a dance educator at Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing arts and have partnered with Anoka Middle school for the arts over the past 7 years bringing dance residencies to their students. Through my experience in creating work in the twin cities, I also became a Jerome Hill Fellow in 2019 as well as a Mcknight fellow in 2022.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I believe anything that you desire to get better at and master comes with obstacles and challenges. One of my biggest challenges was finding my voice in my choreography. With my Hip-Hop background and my training at the University of Minnesota, I was inspired to blend these genres of dance in the most authentic way. On top of meshing the style/genres of dance, it was a challenge to find out how to define my work.
Due to my versatility, I found myself often creating through different styles depending on the story I was telling and the dancers I was working with. Another challenge was articulating my work through writing. For me to get commissions or grants I realized the importance of writing and clarifying my desires as a creator. Although I did quite a bit of writing in college, it was not my strong suit especially when it came to expressing who I was.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Movement Director, Choreographer, and Dance Educator. I specialize in creating original choreography and directing artists on how to move their bodies and pick up on choreography. I also specialize in dance education. I’m most proud of my success as a young black artist! I am the first person in my family to receive a Bachelor’s degree at a major University and the first to start my own business.
I believe the versatility of my work and training as an artist sets me apart from many people who are in my field.
Another major thing that sets me apart is my ability to work with people, I love people and I love the challenge of finding different ways to communicate. One of my favorite things to do is show a beginner mover or a nonartist that they can indeed move and dance.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If people are interested in working with me or collaborating they can always reach me via STRONGmovement’s website with inquiries.
My site is www.strong-movement.com, they can also check out some of my work there and discover another way they can support me. As always, donating to the organization helps support our artist and creation process.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.strong-movement.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dari_strong/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100062962823998
Image Credits
Bill Cameron, Marcus Strong, and Canaan Mattson
