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.