Studio Stories: Reminiscing on Twin Cities Dance with Mariusz Olszewski - Season 10, Episode 125

Mariusz Olszewski, ballroom artist, coach and choreographer whose
work has been presented at the biggest ballroom venues, dance
festivals, theaters and television around the world. He
choreographed for the World, American, Polish and Ohio Star Ball
Champions and other top ranking ballroom couples including
Blackpool Dance Festival American Smooth finalist.


Mariusz, moved to Minneapolis in 1996 to join Jazzdance! by Danny
Buraczeski and danced with the company for 5 years performing at
the most prominent stages and dance festivals such as Kennedy
Center, The Joyce Theater, Ordway Center for Performing Arts and
The Guthrie Theater as well as  Jacob’s Pillow Dance
Festival and Bates Dance Festival as well as American Dance
Festival among others.


Prior to Jazzdance, Mr.Olszewski was a lead dancer and assistant
to artistic director of The Silesian Dance Theater, the first
professional modern dance company in his native country Poland.


During his 5 seasons with The Silesian Dance Theater he had
performed and worked with such renown choreographers and dance
legends as Anna Sokolow, Gerri Houlihan, Teresa Freedman, Melissa
Monteros, Avi Kaiser, Mark Haim, David Dorfman, Wendell Beavers,
Stephanie Skura, Risa Jarolow , Sam Costa and company's artistic
director Jacek Luminski among others.


For his roles created in that company he received Silesia’s
President’s Award for Outstanding Artist in 1995.


He is a founding member of Beyond Ballroom Dance Company and
served as its Artistic Co-director and Rehearsal Director.


Mariusz’s work is driven from his modern, jazz ,ballroom dancing
and theater experience.


He  choreographed and collaborated with Minneapolis prime
dancers and companies such as Zenon Dance Comapny,
Minnesota  Dance  Theater and  James Sewell
Ballet's Sally Rousse , Cathy Young Dances, Robin Stiehm's
Dancing People Company.


Mariusz graduated from The Institute of Culture Theater
Department in Opole, Poland.


He was a guest choreographer on popular television show "Dancing
With the Stars" and featured choreographer for 8 seasons on "So
You Think You Can Dance”/ Poland creating a record number of over
35 routines in contemporary, modern jazz and ballroom dance
styles.


In 2016 he was invited to choreograph two ballroom shows “ Rhythm
Divine” and “Grace” for Hong Kong’s biggest Dream Cruise
Line. 


Mariusz is a recipient of 2005 McKnight Artists Fellowship for
Dancers.