Brian J Evans
Brian J. Evans is a dynamic professional performer, Assistant Professor of Dance at Bates College, and a celebrated Citizen Artist. With a career rooted in his passion for dance and social engagement, Evans blends artistic excellence with proactive community involvement.
Hailing from Gaylord, Minnesota, Evans' journey into dance began unexpectedly, discovering dance in college between choir, football, and social justice theater practices, leading to a distinguished career with Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater as a principal dancer and Music Director. As a freelancer, he has worked with the Flying Foot Forum, Shapiro and Smith Dance, Black Label Movement, Eclectic Edge Ensemble, and many more amazing colleagues and friends. He has been honored with a Sage Award for Outstanding Dancer, a McKnight Dance Fellowship, and numerous opportunities to perform and direct worldwide.
Evans holds a B.A. in the Liberal Arts from Gustavus Adolphus College and an MFA in Dance from the University of Washington, where he was honored with the Howard P. Dallas Endowed Fellowship for his contributions to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within the arts. At Bates College, he teaches courses that explore the "embodied arts," emphasizing the body's role in cognition and meaning-making.
As a Citizen Artist, Evans is dedicated to fostering connections through courageous vulnerability and intentional equity, underscoring his belief in the transformative power of the arts to inspire resilience and societal change.