A native of New York, Willie Hinton began his dance journey at age 16 at Enloe Gifted & Talented Magnet High School in Raleigh, NC. He went on to study at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and was a scholarship student at the American Dance Festival in Durham, NC. His early accolades include the “Presidential Citation” from the Governor’s School for Humanities and Visual & Performing Arts, the “Chuck Davis Scholarship” from The American Dance Festival, and the “Trustee’s Scholarship” from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He also received a full scholarship to the prestigious Alvin Ailey School.

Willie has toured nationally and internationally with renowned companies including The Rebecca Kelly Dance Company, Jubilations Dance Company, The Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco), and Dance Kaleidoscope. He has also performed as a guest artist with The Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble.

A passionate educator, Willie has taught at colleges, universities, and schools across the U.S. and abroad. His teaching credits include North Carolina State University’s Panoramic Dance Project, where he also served as Artist in Residence, and North Carolina Central University. He has worked with students from elementary through high school in Richmond, VA, and Durham, NC, and has led large-scale events involving hundreds of students. His choreography has been featured in productions such as The Color Purple for The Justice Theatre Project and RENT at the University of Richmond.  Willie’s favorite musical roles were as the Lead Dancer in Carousel and The Color Purple’s “Juke Joint” scene.

 Willie has taught and set work at institutions such as The Dance Institute of Washington, The National Dance Institute of New Mexico, SPARC (School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community), and Walltown Children’s Theatre. He has served in the faculty at Longleaf School of the Arts, City Ballet of Raleigh, Cary Ballet Conservatory, Graceful Expressions Dance Education, and the school of Carolina Ballet.

Internationally, Willie has taught in Bolivia, where he led the Jazz/Modern department at Estudio de Capezio in La Paz and taught at the University of Bolivia and the American High School. In Kenya, he was commissioned by Graceful Expressions to teach in Kibera, Naivasha, and at The Dance Centre of Kenya.

Willie’s choreography earned him the “Artsy” Award for Best Choreography (Black Nativity) from Richmond’s VA Theater Critics Circle. He has also worked with Richmond Ballet’s professional company and outreach program “Minds in Motion,” an affiliate of the National Dance Institute founded by Jacques d’Amboise. Most recently, He finished teaching his second summer intensive session at the competitive Interlochen Summer Arts Camp in Interlochen, Michigan, completed a two-year contract with NC Arts in Action, and continues to teach at Carolina Ballet’s summer intensive.

Willie’s acting experience includes Freedom Theatre (Philadelphia), American Cabaret Theatre (Indianapolis), Theatre in the Park (Raleigh), Raleigh Little Theatre, and Justice Theatre Project. He aspires to direct a one-act play. When Willie isn’t teaching, he enjoys spending time outdoors in nature.

Willie is currently attending Pueblo Center of Worship and Empowerment (PCWE) online. He says that the role of “The Man at the Pool of Bethesda” has been a transformative experience, revealing the power of vulnerability, perseverance, and faith.