[ by jill doczi ]
Photos courtesy of Elbert Watson’s personal collection unless otherwise noted
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feb-apr 2021 | boulevard
lbert Watson, biologist? Elbert Watson, historian? Although he started down these paths in college, he became disenchanted with the subjects. He also participated in the college dance team and outside dance classes while studying at Norfolk State University and fortunately for the world, he chose to become Elbert Watson, dancer. Once he made the decision, the course of action became evident. “Everybody recognized that I was exceptional at dancing as a hobby,” said Watson. “Few were in agreement with dance as a career. All are proud now. I share the story that one day I heard some elderly people discussing their lives. Many expressed that if they could do it all over again they would have done things differently. It was in that moment that I decided that I would never come to the end of my life with regrets. I was going to be a professional dancer. If it didn’t work out, at least I pursued that dream.” He changed course and set out to make his dream become reality. “I decided to study at the Academy of the Tidewater Ballet under Gene Hommett,” said Watson. “It was the place to study if you wanted professional training and you wanted to pursue a career in a dance company.” Watson grew up in Norfolk, VA dancing with the modern dance group at Campostella Junior High School, the Tidewater Dance Guild, the Norfolk State University dance theater and the Academy of the Tidewater Ballet. His dance ability surfaced early in life. “I won every dance contest in the neighborhood,” said Watson. “When families visited me at home, I was always called out to show or compete. I always loved music and movement. Music was always a part of my life. I remember Brooke Benton, Dinah Washington, Harry Belafonte, Lena Horne. There was music and rhythm at church. I had an aunt, Josephine, who always taught me the latest dance steps. There was “American Bandstand,” “Shindig,” “Soul Train.” Comprehending new moves was always love for me.” His first paid dance-related jobs included his one-man show at Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA and some local functions. While these had a home-state appeal and he felt that the audiences appreciated his talent and presentation, his career had so much more in store. He traveled and moved often in the beginning of his career. When he joined the prestigious Alvin Ailey company, he had never flown in a plane before. “We flew West Coast, East Coast, South and North, Africa, Europe, Asia and more recently New Zealand,”Watson said. “What I didn’t enjoy towards the
PHOTO ©2013 JONATHAN ATKIN / WWW.HEROPROJECT.US
RICK BLANTON
ELBERT WATSON
