Meet Our New Executive Director

Red Clay Dance Company is pleased to welcome Brandon Waters as its newest addition to the executive team.  Brandon is extremely passionate about dance and dance education.  He firmly believes that dance has the capacity to change lives and communities.  He studied Financial Economics at Brigham Young University Idaho with a minor in dance.  Brandon’s love for dance inspired him to move from Idaho to attend graduate school in Chicago.  He holds a Master of Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management degree from Columbia College Chicago.  He has worked in the arts community in Chicago in many capacities serving both the theater and dance community.  Please join with us in welcoming him to our village.

To get to know Brandon better we asked the following questions:Question:  What is your favorite style of dance and why?Answer: I love modern dance because it offers me a lot more freedom, in terms of musicality and movement.  In addition to modern dance I also have training in ballet and ballroom dance, however, I find these forms less artistically freeing, while still enjoyable.

Question:  What attracted you to Red Clay?Answer:  I was attracted to Red Clay Dance Company because of its mission.  I believe that dance and the arts in general have a great capacity to heal society.  Dance particularly has the capacity to reach people in unique ways and create lasting change in communities.  I also admire how much good Red Clay does for the community.  Everything they do attempts to improve the local community.  Question:  Are you a Chicago native?  Describe your village or community?

Answer: I am not a Chicago native.  I was raised in Boise Idaho.  My village is my family.  I am very close to my parents and siblings as the youngest of five children.  My family is very important to me.  I am excited to be joining the Red Clay Village and can’t wait to meet and work alongside my fellow villagers.

Question: What do you like to do in your free time besides dance?

Answer: I love living here in Chicago and enjoy taking in all the variety of art forms that are offered in this great city. I enjoy exploring the city and seeing the different cultures that each neighborhood offers. I am an amateur photographer. I love learning new things. I dabble in cooking and especially the art of baking. I enjoy reading.

Question: What is your favorite book?

Answer: I read a lot of books, which makes this a difficult question to answer. The first two books that come to mind is the Harry Potter Series and Little Women.

Question: What is your favorite color?

Answer: It is hard for me to pick just one, but my top three are: Green, Blue, and Purple

Question: What is your favorite Food?

Answer: Tacos