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Damiyah 🦋

@_.damiyah._

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Performer | Choreographer | Instructor
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance
UIUC Alumna 🧡💙
Jazz, Hip-Hop, Majorette, Contemporary-Modern 💃🏽

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Timeless beauty and ethereal essence, it’s impossible not to feel my presence #23rdbirthday 7/16!

📸: @qualitymedia.group by @_.damiyah._

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3 months ago

In my Professional Dancer Era! ✨

Happy 5 years of Hawkins House! 💚 @hawkinshouseofhorton I’m so grateful to be a part of a company full of beautiful dancers who have even more beautiful spirits! Alana continues to encourage me and challenge me towards becoming the best dancer I can be, thank you 🥰 @thatzhawkins by @_.damiyah._

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5 months ago

(Repost!! Had to fix the music) Choreography by me from my first Majorette workshop! 🥰❤️‍🔥

Thanks for having me! @dynamicforcedance @urban_dance_force The energy you all brought to the room was truly uplifting 🩷💜

Dancers: @dance4u_pri and @jor.dvn_ Y’all danced beautifully! 😍🔥 The support from you both is much appreciated!

Tag @victoriamonet

Stay tuned for the next workshop!!! Should I run this back? 👀 by @_.damiyah._

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6 months ago

Motivation of the day, “keep going!” Cuz not my mind blanked on one move at the end after killing the whole beginning lol. But professionalism is all about playing it off, got back on point like nothing happened!

Shout out to @hawkinshouseofhorton Fire Choreo as always! ❤️‍🔥 Thank you! 🥰

(Repost, first one got muted) by @_.damiyah._

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6 months ago

PSA!!! I’m so grateful to announce that I will be hosting my first Majorette workshop! Bring your family and friends and join me at @dynamicforcedance studio 🩷💜

Save the date- Saturday April 25th
Time- 4pm-5:30pm
General admission- $20, With student ID- $15
Payment- Zelle: dynamicforcedancers@gmail.com Cash App: $queenbask
Location- 2150 S Canalport Ave, Lacuna Artists Lofts

• This workshop will focus on majorette fundamentals and performance elements
• Beginner-Intermediate levels are welcome!
• Don’t forget to bring water! by @_.damiyah._

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6 months ago

January 17th, I presented a solo work choreographed by me entitled “Renascence” (A new beginning or rebirth). This piece was a continuation of my work “An Ode to Me” and was inspired by Ana Cedoviste’s “Broken Porcelain” face paint. Thanks for having me, I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity @still.inspired !!!!

“Renascence” explored the mourning, shedding, and joy that comes after self reflection. Mourning who I once was and who I thought I would be, shedding the grief and letting the beauty underneath be revealed (hence the costume change lol), and basking in the joy of growth.

Connection to “Broken Porcelain”: Although there are pieces missing, beauty remains.

🎶: JoJo - “Porcelain Reimagined” (Describes what my piece was about perfectly)
📸: @rhyssteelephoto (Thank you for capturing these beautiful moments!) by @_.damiyah._

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8 months ago

Choreo by me 💖 Every now and then I gotta pick up my baton! I miss dancing alongside a band so much, it’s one of the best feelings 🥰

TikTok: _.damiyah._
🎶: Mighty Marching Hornets: Summer Walker - Spend It Band Arrangement by @_.damiyah._

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8 months ago

⭐️ Future Artists Choreographer announcement! ⭐️

Williams will be premiering a live dance work inspired by artist Ana Cedoviste. ✨

📆 Save-The-Date! January 17, 2026

Tickets available. 🔗 in bio.

Damiyah Williams is an outstanding performer, choreographer, and instructor with over 13 years of experience from Chicago, IL. She is a first-generation college graduate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Certification through the Dance at Illinois (DAI) program in May 2025.
She commemorates her undergrad performance experience at the world renowned Krannert Center for the Performing Arts that led to her 2024 CAADD Festival attendance in Durham, North Carolina performing the works of Alexandra Barbier, “yESteRDaZe*.” As well as the 2023 Cleveland Dance Fest, performing the works of Anna Perez-Rogovoy, “In the Weeds.” Fun fact: Damiyah premiered on TV alongside Chance The Rapper in the 2020 All-Star Game during her time as a part of Crystal Elegance Majorette team, which she captained.
Throughout undergrad, she refined her choreographic voice creating a solo work entitled “An Ode to Me,” which premiered in a student produced “Student Works” concert. This piece explored dancing through recurring internal and external battles while reflecting on different time periods of her life. As a part of the “Senior Thesis Concert,” she premiered her work entitled “The Throwdown: Ignite to Unite,” which explored common narratives in dance cinema. She also spent a great deal of her undergraduate time as captain choreographing for the Hipnotic dance team.
Since graduating, she has returned to Chicago, where she continues to perform, choreograph, and instruct—focusing on Jazz, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, and Majorette/Baton Twirling. Damiyah is passionate about using dance to uplift and inspire, to share historical and cultural knowledge, to tell stories, and to give voice to the body—believing that the limbs hold deep meaning and expression. She is excited and grateful to continue sharing her artistry.

#stillinspired #chicagodance #liveperformance #supportartists #dancefestival #collaborate taken in The Edge Theater by @_.damiyah._

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a year ago

Today I was blessed with the opportunity to use my passion to inspire the young ladies at the “Celebration of Beauty and Possibilities” event. One of my goals as an artist to show the youth that pursuing a career in the arts is possible. Representation matters! I touched so many souls today, I’m so grateful 🥰

Choreography by: Me
Song: Emeli Sandé - Extraordinary Being by @_.damiyah._

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a year ago

Choreo by me 🩵 bc I love this instrumental and this song has been stuck in my head by @_.damiyah._

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a year ago

“The Throwdown: Ignite to Unite” choreographed by me! My senior thesis explored recurring themes within dance cinema narratives such as breaking against conformity, building meaningful relationships while also maintaining a sense of self, celebrating uniqueness, and shifting an environment for the greater good. If you’ve ever watched “Honey”, “Step Up”, or “Bring it On,”those were the vibes (Peep the movie-like title of the piece 🤭)

I’m so grateful that I was able to get my dream cast! It was such an honor to work with not only such amazing dancers, but such amazing people. Our rehearsals consisted of hard work and even harder laughs, being with you all was always the highlight of my day 🥹. Thank you all for being so attentive, patient, open-minded, and collaborative. It was truly captivating to watch my vision come to life!

Kaleidoscope Wins! ❤️‍🔥

Dancers: @nawal.assou @cheyenneeee.__ @kayy_hernandez_ @iyanukehindee @andersen.ella
📸: Natelie Fiol
Senior Thesis Concert: Tesseract 04/26/25-04/27/25 by @_.damiyah._

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a year ago

Living in an answered prayer ✨ Graduating with my Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance!

I would like to start off by thanking God for getting me to and through college. For leading me to walk by faith and not by sight, to be bold and courageous, and to be strong and dignified. For seeking me even when I let life get in the way of my faith, all while loving me unconditionally.

Thank you to my family, and to my friends that became family, for supporting me along the way. You all constantly reminded me of who I am when I lost sight and provided me with immense support, joy, and love. You all will forever hold a special place in my heart, and the memories we’ve created will always hold a special place in my mind. I’m overflowed with gratitude!

To my major, I’m so grateful that I was able to fully commit to dance these past few years. Dance continues to challenge me, mold me, and make me feel in tune with myself and others. Fully committing to my passion was scary, but overall such a rewarding experience. The connections I’ve made with my peers are connections that I will cherish forever and it was such an honor to learn and grow beside you all.

As I embark on the next chapter of my life, I’m excited to be a trail blazer and positive influence within the dance community and beyond. I’m looking forward to uplifting and promoting healing and unity through dance. I’m also constantly reminding myself that I make the accomplishments, the accomplishments don’t make me! I’m still learning and growing just like everyone else. There may be bumps in the road along the way, but I’ll always refer to:

Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

✅Lydia E. Parker Bates Scholarship Recipient
✅ Talented Student Scholarship Recipient
✅ Senior Magnolia Award Recipient
✅ 200-hour yoga teacher certification
✅ Hipnotic Dance Team Captain
✅ DAI Black Advocacy Team President
✅ DAI Student Board Member
✅ Black Glove Society Vice President

Signing out 💐 by @_.damiyah._

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a year ago