DeMar Walker is the Artistic Director of Ko-Thi Dance Company and Ton Ko-Thi Children’s Performing Ensemble. Since becoming a member in 2010, he has performed in “Words from the Sole”, “The Sweet Grass Project”, “IMANI: A Tribute to West Africa”, “VIBRATIONS: Rhythmic Motion”, “UJIMA” & the recent production of “JUBA-LEE” which premiered in Summer 2019. He is trained in Hip Hop/Street, West African, & Afro-Caribbean techniques. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and Theatre Arts from the University of Central Arkansas where he performed in the following productions: “Answers”, “The Threepenny Opera”, “The Story”, and “The Colored Museum”. He is also an original cast member of the Milwaukee theatrical production “Pieces: In My Own Voice” which raises awareness about mental health in the African-American community. With a passion for service, the Milwaukee native has worked at various local non-profit organizations including Cardinal Stritch University’s Lifetime Learners Program, Social Development Commission, and the Free & Community Clinic Collaborative. He is a two- time participant of the apprenticeship program Public Allies Milwaukee and three-time recipient of the Danceworks Intensive Study Scholarship receiving training in ballet, contemporary, & camp; hip hop. He has also received rave reviews from various local media outlets for his works “To the Morning”, “Solemn Games”, & “YIN/YANG” performed at “IGNITE: A Hip Hop Experience” and featured choreography in the 2017 production of “Black Nativity”. In 2017, he was selected to participate in the inaugural cohort for the Building Beloved Community Leadership Fellowship through the Campaign for Black Male Achievement, as well as, the 2018 mentee cohort for the Dance USA Institute for Leadership Training Program. DeMar has performed with Wildspace Dance Company and Fist & Heel Performance Group. He has traveled to Guinea & Senegal, West Africa to study & perform in international workshops with Youssouf Koumbassa, Patrick Acgony, & Alesandra Seutin at Ecole Des Sables. Recently, he became a contributor to a publication entitled “Black in the Middle: An Anthology of the Black Midwest”. Since 2014, DeMar has been an Associate Artist/Lecturer in the Peck School of the Arts/Department of Dance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.