Edwin G. "Ed" Austin, Jr., Associate Professor of Dance at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, served as Artistic Director of the BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble (1985-2011). He directs, choreographs, adjudicates, and is a Master Teacher of international dance forms. His creative works have been featured on television, and in concert and festival performances in more than 35 countries.
Ed now accepts requests for teaching recreational folk dance groups. His recreational dance focus is international in scope. Appalachian clogging and Welsh folk dance have been areas of concentrated interest and research, and he is well-versed in western, central and eastern European dance styles.
He is presently serving as Immediate Past President of the National Folk Organization of the United States (NFO). Having lived in the Polynesian Islands of Samoa (1973-74) where he was first introduced to Siva Samoa (Samoan Dance) his love for this culture has led him to his current research of the Taualuga, an ancient dance ritual still practiced in the islands and among diaspora communities in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Ed is a past board member of Conseil International des Organisations de Festivals de Folklore et d’Arts Traditionnels (CIOFF), American Sector.
Ed Austin, Edwin G. Austin Jr.
LDS
LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Special honors, recognitions, and accomplishments include: Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Adjudicator, Wales (2007-present); USA, Clogging Hall of Fame (2010); Ambassador’s Award for Cultural Diplomacy, Hungary (2008); Festival de Confolens 50th Anniversary, France (2007); Drummondville Festival Mondial des Cultures 25th Anniversary, Canada (2006); Research and Creativity Award, BYU (2002); Winter IOlympic Games Opening Ceremonies, USA (2002); Light of the World, Choreographer, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2002); Guangzhou Academy of Dance 40th Anniversary Concert, Master Teacher and Choreographer, PRC (1999); Utah Pioneer Sesquicentennial Celebration, Artistic Director, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1997); and the Summer Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies (1988) Korea.
Brigham Young University
Associate Professor of Dance, International Folk Dance Instructor at the Kentucky Dance Institute, Artistic Director of the BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble