PT Arts was founded in 1999 by Patrick Johnson, and Tassia Hooks-Johnson, both former dancers
with long and prestigious careers.
Tassia and Patrick saw the need for quality performing arts programing for students in the inner-city
public schools of Grand Rapids Michigan. With their combined experience of 60 years in the
performing arts Tassia and Patrick have amass a vast knowledge and a network of artist they can call
upon to provide special expertise.
PT Arts provides schools and community organizations access to the performing arts, where students
can participate in the creation of a multidisciplinary theatrical production. PT Arts projects encompass
a unique blend of theatre, dance, music and fine arts instruction that culminates in a public
performance for the students’ friends, families and neighbors.
Philosophy
We believe Dance educates and exposes learners to different cultures, which is crucial to our
community's development. Dance brings culture to a neighborhood through children and opportunities
that impact the lives of people in our community in a positive way. It also informs parents on how the
arts can stimulate a child's learning and the positive outcomes that are experienced by all involved.
with long and prestigious careers.
Tassia and Patrick saw the need for quality performing arts programing for students in the inner-city
public schools of Grand Rapids Michigan. With their combined experience of 60 years in the
performing arts Tassia and Patrick have amass a vast knowledge and a network of artist they can call
upon to provide special expertise.
PT Arts provides schools and community organizations access to the performing arts, where students
can participate in the creation of a multidisciplinary theatrical production. PT Arts projects encompass
a unique blend of theatre, dance, music and fine arts instruction that culminates in a public
performance for the students’ friends, families and neighbors.
Philosophy
We believe Dance educates and exposes learners to different cultures, which is crucial to our
community's development. Dance brings culture to a neighborhood through children and opportunities
that impact the lives of people in our community in a positive way. It also informs parents on how the
arts can stimulate a child's learning and the positive outcomes that are experienced by all involved.
Tassia Hooks - Johnson:
Former Associate Artistic Director of Wealthy Theatre Contemporary Ballet. She began her dance
training with the Jane Stamps School of Dance and continued her training on scholarship at the
prestigious San Francisco Ballet School. In 1984, Mrs. Hooks-Johnson joined The Dance Theatre of
Harlem where she performed feature roles in Jeffery Holder’s, Douglas, Valerie Bettis’s A Street Car
Named Desire, Billy Wilson’s Concerto in F, Ron Cunningham’s, Etosha, John Tyrus’s, Fire Bird, Alvin
Ailey’s, The River, Robert Garland’s, Joplin Dances, Alonzo King’s, Signs and Wonders, The
Nutcracker and George Balanchine’s, The Four Temperaments. As a choreographer she has produce
many dance pieces from the dramatic to the abstract that cross all styles and disciplines ranging from
ballet to jazz to contemporary lyrical and modern. She has produce pieces for the Dance Institute of
Washington, including their production of A Soulful Christmas which was performed at the world
famous Kennedy Center, the Grand Rapids Symphony, School of Grand Rapids Ballet, Kansas City
Friends of Alvin Ailey, and many other dance studios. Her ballet Belinda–O was a winner in the New
York City based New Choreographers on Point competition and was performed at the Lincoln Center
in 1995. She continues to be in demand and has been commissioned to do choreography for
competitions and performances. The Flint Youth Ballet requested Tassia to be a part of their Color
Line Project in 2003, which explored racism past and present called “Episodes at the Mall”. It was a
huge hit with the PRESS, dancers and audiences. Her works have always been well received and
have won many awards. In addition to her accomplishments as a dancer and choreographer she is
also know for her great teaching experience. As a teacher and mentor, she has worked with many
dance organizations and schools such as the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey, T-3’s Dance Elite,
CARE and Dance Dimensions. Tassia has worked for Grand Rapids Christian High School. In 2008
Tassia taught at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, staging excerpts from Sleeping Beauty and
choreographing a neo-classic work for the campers. Most recently she co-choreographed “The Door”
for the Hearts In Step Christian Dance Academy for their début performance. Tassia Johnson is co-
owner of PT Arts, LLC a Performing Arts Consultation Company. Bahamas Dance International.
Former Associate Artistic Director of Wealthy Theatre Contemporary Ballet. She began her dance
training with the Jane Stamps School of Dance and continued her training on scholarship at the
prestigious San Francisco Ballet School. In 1984, Mrs. Hooks-Johnson joined The Dance Theatre of
Harlem where she performed feature roles in Jeffery Holder’s, Douglas, Valerie Bettis’s A Street Car
Named Desire, Billy Wilson’s Concerto in F, Ron Cunningham’s, Etosha, John Tyrus’s, Fire Bird, Alvin
Ailey’s, The River, Robert Garland’s, Joplin Dances, Alonzo King’s, Signs and Wonders, The
Nutcracker and George Balanchine’s, The Four Temperaments. As a choreographer she has produce
many dance pieces from the dramatic to the abstract that cross all styles and disciplines ranging from
ballet to jazz to contemporary lyrical and modern. She has produce pieces for the Dance Institute of
Washington, including their production of A Soulful Christmas which was performed at the world
famous Kennedy Center, the Grand Rapids Symphony, School of Grand Rapids Ballet, Kansas City
Friends of Alvin Ailey, and many other dance studios. Her ballet Belinda–O was a winner in the New
York City based New Choreographers on Point competition and was performed at the Lincoln Center
in 1995. She continues to be in demand and has been commissioned to do choreography for
competitions and performances. The Flint Youth Ballet requested Tassia to be a part of their Color
Line Project in 2003, which explored racism past and present called “Episodes at the Mall”. It was a
huge hit with the PRESS, dancers and audiences. Her works have always been well received and
have won many awards. In addition to her accomplishments as a dancer and choreographer she is
also know for her great teaching experience. As a teacher and mentor, she has worked with many
dance organizations and schools such as the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey, T-3’s Dance Elite,
CARE and Dance Dimensions. Tassia has worked for Grand Rapids Christian High School. In 2008
Tassia taught at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, staging excerpts from Sleeping Beauty and
choreographing a neo-classic work for the campers. Most recently she co-choreographed “The Door”
for the Hearts In Step Christian Dance Academy for their début performance. Tassia Johnson is co-
owner of PT Arts, LLC a Performing Arts Consultation Company. Bahamas Dance International.
Patrick Johnson:
Born in Nassau, Bahamas Mr. Johnson as a performer and teacher, has reached hundreds of
thousands of people of all ages, from inner-city youth to world-renowned political leaders. His dance
studies include work with the critically acclaim Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, New York
Conservatory, Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway and the world famous Dance Theater of
Harlem. In 1988, Mr. Johnson joined the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s professional company, quickly
becoming one of its leading dancers. He has worked with internationally renowned choreographers
such as Agnes de Mille, Glen Tetley, Michael Smuin, Billy Wilson, Louis Johnson, Garth Fagan and
Alonzo King, and performed works by George Balanchine, Alvin Ailey, Valerie Bettis, John McFall and
Robert North. Mr. Johnson has given command performances for Nelson Mandela, Vice President Al
Gore, Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II, and the late Princess Diana. He has also appeared as
a guest artist with numerous dance companies, across the United States. Mr. Johnson has been held
in the highest regard by dance critics of major news papers and magazines such as The New York
Times, New York Daily News, The New York Post, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The
Washington Times, Dance Magazine, Back Stage and other publications around the world. His
television credits include Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Creole Giselle, Basketball/Dance for Sports
Illustrated, the PBS-Children’s Television Workshop’s Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood and Sesame Street,
as well as many television commercials. Mr. Johnson’s Broadway credits include: The Metropolitan
Opera production of Porgy and Bess and the Joseph Papp/Shubert Organization’s A Celebration of
Paul Robeson. Mr. Johnson has been the recipient of many grants and awards including two Grand
Awards for choreography in 2001 and 2004. By special invitation, he has been a guest lecturer at
both Columbia University in New York and Grand Valley State University in Michigan. In addition to
being co-owner of Bahamas Dance International and the founder of West Michigan Flight Academy
Mr. Johnson serves as a faculty member at Grand Rapids Community College’s Theatre Department.
He also works with local public schools in Grand Rapids and Muskegon helping to find new ways to
educate through the arts. He maintains a busy schedule with theatre groups in the Grand Rapids
area, making it possible to further his mission of bringing the arts to as many people in the community
as possible.
Born in Nassau, Bahamas Mr. Johnson as a performer and teacher, has reached hundreds of
thousands of people of all ages, from inner-city youth to world-renowned political leaders. His dance
studies include work with the critically acclaim Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, New York
Conservatory, Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway and the world famous Dance Theater of
Harlem. In 1988, Mr. Johnson joined the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s professional company, quickly
becoming one of its leading dancers. He has worked with internationally renowned choreographers
such as Agnes de Mille, Glen Tetley, Michael Smuin, Billy Wilson, Louis Johnson, Garth Fagan and
Alonzo King, and performed works by George Balanchine, Alvin Ailey, Valerie Bettis, John McFall and
Robert North. Mr. Johnson has given command performances for Nelson Mandela, Vice President Al
Gore, Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II, and the late Princess Diana. He has also appeared as
a guest artist with numerous dance companies, across the United States. Mr. Johnson has been held
in the highest regard by dance critics of major news papers and magazines such as The New York
Times, New York Daily News, The New York Post, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The
Washington Times, Dance Magazine, Back Stage and other publications around the world. His
television credits include Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Creole Giselle, Basketball/Dance for Sports
Illustrated, the PBS-Children’s Television Workshop’s Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood and Sesame Street,
as well as many television commercials. Mr. Johnson’s Broadway credits include: The Metropolitan
Opera production of Porgy and Bess and the Joseph Papp/Shubert Organization’s A Celebration of
Paul Robeson. Mr. Johnson has been the recipient of many grants and awards including two Grand
Awards for choreography in 2001 and 2004. By special invitation, he has been a guest lecturer at
both Columbia University in New York and Grand Valley State University in Michigan. In addition to
being co-owner of Bahamas Dance International and the founder of West Michigan Flight Academy
Mr. Johnson serves as a faculty member at Grand Rapids Community College’s Theatre Department.
He also works with local public schools in Grand Rapids and Muskegon helping to find new ways to
educate through the arts. He maintains a busy schedule with theatre groups in the Grand Rapids
area, making it possible to further his mission of bringing the arts to as many people in the community
as possible.
About Us
 |  |  |  |  |
"Commitment to the Community"
