Donald Isom
We are honored to be able to feature the work of Donald Isom this month as Columbus Dance Alliance’s Community Spotlight artist. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Donald has been heavily active in the dance community for over 13 years teaching dance workshops, hosting events and showcasing/performing improvised and choreographed pieces. He started a dance group in high school that pushed clowning and krumping in Cleveland. This work motivated him to found and take on the role of CEO of the creative and performing arts company I AM D.A.N.C.E. LLC and the I AM DANCE podcast show. In addition to this work, Donald has studied abroad with some of the world’s top dance instructors and has also performed with the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team. He continues to study and train in the dance styles of hip hop, krump, popping, locking, and house genres. As a part of his prolific reach in the dance community, not just in Columbus, but beyond it he has been involved with TEDTalks/TEDx Youth 2012/2013, America’s Got Talent, NBC News, World of Dance, Pepsi, Radio Show Opener for Sevyn Streeter, and B.O.B. He travels all over the globe performing and teaching battling.
To kick off Donald’s Spotlight, we went to his Open Floor event this past Saturday at the Arts & College Preparatory Academy (ACPA). He graciously allowed us to share some of our favorite moments. Check out our Facebook (@ColumbusDanceAlliance) or Instagram (@columbusdancealliance) to see what you missed. Additionally, if you missed the social media Spotlight this week leading up to this blog feature, you can check it out HERE! Our gratitude to Donald for allowing us this peek into his creative life and process. We can’t wait to see what he will do for dance and performance in Columbus. Donald’s presence is growing with his offering of regular community dance training workshops and showcase series’, as well as his becoming a lecturer in the department of dance at The Ohio State University. We were fortunate to connect with him and ask some questions. Take a look here at what he had to say:
Image Description: (right to left, top to bottom): Orange color photograph of Donald Isom from the chest upward, gesturing forward with right hand, left hand covering face. Blue color photograph of Donald from the hips upward facing backward with left arm bent at elbow and fingertips touching face. Green color photograph of Donald seated in a chair examining hands gesturing forward. Red color photograph of Donald from the shoulders upward with beaded necklace anding from his mouth.
Q: How would you describe your art?
A: The art of story telling with no fear. I believe in never concealing my energy when I move and once I feel it I’m giving it my all and some. For my family, for my ancestors.
Q: What has your experience been making art in the Columbus dance community?
A: It was a journey to learn and understand the community different perspectives on how they look at the art of dance. I experienced moments that money can’t buy — you would have to just be there. Making art here has connected me to people around the world many times. I was challenged so many times. Being here has changed my creativity. Being here has been an experience that will forever I be grateful for.
Q: You have built such a vibrant community of dance in Ohio, can you speak to some of the milestones that mark your journey as a dancer, including how you have been shaped and how you continue to build your dancing lineage?
A: There are huge moments in my career that shaped me and the first was in high school. 2005 going into 2006 going full out with Krump and Clownin, having over 50 people in my garage battling, building something for Ohio that’ll change everything. Also dancing for the Cavaliers 2007 showing me a world I thought I would never witness. Moving to Columbus, Ohio and starting from scratch push to my limits and made me into something even smarter and more creative. The one that really hit me was standing on the TED Talks stage with two friends who are incredible in what they do. I have so many that brings me to tears of joy! Going overseas and dancing really hit my core — can’t wait to do it again! Lastly I AM D.A.N.C.E.: Over 12 years of amazing accomplishments!!
Image Description: (right to left) Black and white photograph of Donald Isom seated behind a table speaking with hats and bags hung behind him on the wall and sneakers sitting on the table in front of him. Black and white photograph of Donald seated in a folding chair facing the left side of the frame at a distance inside an empty dance studio. Black and white photograph of Donald seated behind a desk staring off toward the right side of the frame. Black and white photograph of Donald seated, leaning forward in a concrete window opening and facing the left side of the frame.
Q: What are your hopes/dreams/desires for dance in Columbus, your dance or otherwise?
A: For this city to see the the power of dance like I saw it growing up and now. The dance community has an opportunity to come together for something bigger than what some think and I hope that I can help make that happen.
Q: What other Columbus based artists are you inspired by right now?
A: Gamal Brown, Malik Willoughby, Trigno, Lori Lindsey, Marshall Shorts, David Butler, DJ O Sharp, DJ Rawls, DJ Krate Digga, Maroon Arts Group, and Scott Woods. If I can truly be honest the whole Black arts community the amount of work I see everyone doing fire me up to work harder and smarter — I love it!
Image Description: candid color photograph of Donald Isom and other participants at an Open Floor dance showcase.
One more way that you can check out Donald speaking about his art (and we DEFINITELY think you should) is by viewing the documentary Love, Dance directed by Candice Wright. Check out the trailer HERE!
If you are interested in learning more about or supporting Donald’s ongoing work you can follow his work in several places:
If you would like to support Donald’s ongoing work you can donate via CashApp: $donaldisom or Venmo: @Donald-Isom-1.