MIRYAM G. JOHNSON is a Detroit based Dance Artist, Educator and Organizer. With degrees from Eastern Michigan University in Dance and African American Studies, Johnson’s work explores the intersection between improvised Black movement vernacular and creating a communal connection. 

She grew up training with the University of Akron’s Dance Institute and received multi-genre dance instruction while attending performing arts middle and high schools. She also trained with Alvin Ailey’s “The Ailey Extension” (2010) and Urban Bush Women “Summer Leadership Program” (2018, 2019). Since, she’s performed with The Detroit Dance Collective, People Dancing, Kristi Faulkner Dance, and Anna Martine Whitehead. 

Johnson’s had the honor of learning from and performing works by Katherin King, Phil Simmons, Sherry Jerome Wilkinson, Barbara Selinger, Nancy Lushington, Sabatino Verlezza, Barbara Verlezza, John Griffin, as well as performed works by critically acclaimed Mae O’Donnell and Diane McIntyre. 

She was a company member/collaborator of Harge Dance Stories for four seasons and was one of the featured dancers in John Sobczak’s book “Portraits in Motion.” Johnson curated and choreographed REBELLION, an evening length work that investigates the frustration, strength and resilience that has come with generations of continued rebellions in the Black Community. The work premiered at Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in conjunction with the 50th year anniversary of the 1967 Detroit Rebellion. 

Johnson is the co-founder of Collective Sweat Detroit (CSD), a community lead collective of dancers interested in advancing the rigor and relevance of dance in Detroit. A committed educator and community member, Miryam believes in using her body and her art as protest.