SOLE Defined Live

SOLE Defined Live Founded by Guggenheim Fellow Ryan K.

Johnson and acclaimed artist Quynn Johnson, SOLE Defined blends African-American traditions with global influences to create performances that inspire, educate, and entertain. SOLE Defined puts an exciting twist on percussive dance by turning their bodies into human drums translating global rhythms into movement. Artists fuse tap dance, sand dance, tapping on roller skates and body percussion to c

reate a free flowing conversation through music and movement. Quoted by The Washington Post for performing “the coolest number of the night
with its high-stepping and toe tapping blend of style,” SOLE Defined has performed in distinguished venues both nationally and internationally including The Chilrdren's World Festival in Italy, The Kennedy Center, Jacobs Pillow, The Shakespeare Theater, The Smithsonian, International Cajon Festival and DancEncore International Dance Festival. SOLE Defined brings musical theater, stepping, singing, tap dance, sand dance, and vocal percussion to the stage for a power-packed hour and fifteen-minute performance. Over the past five years, SOLE Defined has premiered four new shows, Black Amer-I-Can (2013), The Experiment (2014), Phenix (2015) and Frequency (2016)

In one word, SOLE Defined creates a "Percussical," an innovative twist on the traditional musical with its integration of percussive dance and multi-media with acting, singing.

Such a pleasure performing at the The National Theatre DC. Thank you for having us. ❤️
01/22/2026

Such a pleasure performing at the The National Theatre DC. Thank you for having us. ❤️

A time was had at !!!! had two amazing showcases representing Percussive Dance, African Diasporic Dance & Black Cultur...
01/21/2026

A time was had at !!!! had two amazing showcases representing Percussive Dance, African Diasporic Dance & Black Culture.

Find out what’s next by joining our mailing list at www.soledefined.com we promise not to overload your inbox!

📍 Studio 5
ℹ️ Tour Ready Lab
📸 beccavision

12/02/2025

A reimagined campaign!
This year, it’s Community over Capitol.
Here is a message from our Board Member, Brian McCollum.
Join the SOLE Defined community today: https://www.soledefined.com/contact

Click the link + Scroll Down +Enter your email = You're in!

12/02/2025

Thank you NEFA for all you continue to do for us and the art community!

We’re proud to announce that both of our founders have received prestigious national awards! They continue to create inn...
11/06/2025

We’re proud to announce that both of our founders have received prestigious national awards! They continue to create innovative pathways for percussive dance across the nation!

🏆 Quynn Johnson, ( ) Director of Arts Education, is a 2025 Dance/USA Fellow!

🏆 Ryan Johnson, (.dance) Executive Artistic Director, has been named a 2025 Mid-America Arts Alliance Cultural Bearer!

📸 .vision

There are two opportunities to see the company at APAP - Association of Performing Arts Professionals this January! Frid...
11/05/2025

There are two opportunities to see the company at APAP - Association of Performing Arts Professionals this January!

Friday Jan 9, 2025 @ 7p NY City Center Studio 5
Sunday Jan 11, 2025 @ 2:55p New York City Center Studio 5

Thank you NEFA for your ongoing support and page updates!
10/29/2025

Thank you NEFA for your ongoing support and page updates!

About ZAZA powerful performative archive, ZAZ honors the resilience of Hurricane Katrina survivors by embodying their stories through dance, music, and technology. This immersive, sensory performance expands traditional viewing practices beyond sight and sound. The performers give life to oral histo...

🎬 Just dropped: students, faculty, and community members from Williams College are sharing their reactions right after ...
10/24/2025

🎬 Just dropped: students, faculty, and community members from Williams College are sharing their reactions right after experiencing ZAZ —and there’s a surprise performance at the end you don’t want to miss! 👏 Tag anyone who attended or would love this — and drop your reaction in the comments after you watch! 👀💬

Williams College students, faculty, and community members share their reactions to seeing ZAZ—moments after leaving the theater! Stick around until the end f...

The journey of ZAZ continues to move audiences across the nation 💥✨Grateful for this love:“Virtuosic performers and impa...
10/20/2025

The journey of ZAZ continues to move audiences across the nation 💥✨
Grateful for this love:
“Virtuosic performers and impactful educators — what more could you ask for?”
Thank you💛

Have you heard what Williams College 62 Center for Theatre and Dance is saying about their ZAZ experience? "Virtuosic pe...
10/20/2025

Have you heard what Williams College 62 Center for Theatre and Dance is saying about their ZAZ experience?

"Virtuosic performers and impactful educators, what more could you ask for?"

Meet Funmi —a symphony in motion, where rhythm meets grace and joy takes shape through every step. 🖤💫 From jaw-dropping...
10/17/2025

Meet Funmi —a symphony in motion, where rhythm meets grace and joy takes shape through every step. 🖤💫 From jaw-dropping improvisation to choreographing magic, Funmi moves like music lives in her bones.

She’s not only the Zaz Dance Captain but also the unofficial official Zaz Chef — and yes, every dish she makes is delicious. We’re still dreaming about her cinnamon rolls!

Great human + multitalented artist = .sofola

🍽️ Favorite tour activity?
Restaurant hopping— foodie adventures are a must.

🎤 Funniest Zaz memory?
Definitely sound check chaos — where people turn line runs into improv comedy gold. 😂

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Washington D.C., DC

Telephone

+12026885827

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