Willie Brown, Jr. '99 - Professional Dancer and Dance Instructor
Willie Brown, Jr.'s mother, GCC alum Ann DeMeo '87, recommended that he come to GCC. "For once," he said, "I took her advice." Willie enrolled in the Liberal Arts program as a dance major, graduating in 1999. He transfered to UMass, where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts in 2002. He thanks Sharon Arslanian, GCC professor of dance, for her assistance with his admission to the UMass program, saying it was difficult and he doubts he would have made it without her encouragement and active involvement.
Following the completion of his BFA, Willie danced for a New York City company and did freelance work. He moved to Florida to begin his current career teaching dance at Florida International University, and to dance professionally with the Brazz Dance Theatre, an Afro-Brazilian dance company led by Artistic Director Augusto Soledade.
"You just have to make your passion your life's work and that's what I'm doing," he said with a smile. "I haven't stopped dancing since I came to GCC!"