If you think you've seen Michael Jackson or Andy Warhol busting moves around the Twin Cities, chances are the dancer in question was actually Jeremiah Lewis-Walker.
Also a freelance choreographer, singer and musician, Lewis-Walker has performed as both of the late celebrities in recent months with Sole 2 Soul Dance Conversion, a nationally recognized Minneapolis dance company that appears at corporate gatherings, clubs, hair and fashion shows, and other events.
Lewis-Walker joined other Sole 2 Soul dancers, who specialize in impersonating celebrities, in donning white wigs, turtlenecks, glasses and a cooler-than-thou attitude to portray Warhol at a Minneapolis Institute of Arts opening. At one point, the faux Warhols burst into Madonna's "Vogue" routine as the music pumped through the museum.
The Warhols made a return appearance at the Basilica Block Party, and Lewis-Walker, who often uses Jereye as a stage name, has recreated Jackson's "Thriller" moves at a number of Sole 2 Soul gigs, most recently at last year's Solera Halloween party.
Largely self-taught in dance, Lewis-Walker has been doing choreography since he was 9 or 10, when his parents entered him and his sister in a talent show. "I have been involved in music all my life," he said. "I love to sing and dancing came along with it."
When he isn't performing, Lewis-Walker plays keyboards, writes and records songs, and often is teaching or coaching dance. He is the resident choreographer for the show choir at the International School of Minnesota and head coach of the competition cheerleading team at the Academy of Holy Angels, which has won four state titles in recent years.
Three and out with Jeremiah Lewis-Walker
- How did you get started in dance?
When I was younger, watching MTV, music videos back in the 80s everything had backup dancers. Whether it's Pat Benatar, Michael Jackson or Janet Jackson, those are the kind of people I looked up to.
- Has there been a "Glee" effect on your show choir and cheer teams?
Show choir is kind of like "Glee" but it's more costuming. It's encouraged more students to try out for show choir. I'm seeing some new students coming in that I've never seen before. I'm excited to work with them.
- Do you ever just go out dancing at clubs?
All the time. The funny thing with Sole 2 Sole is we will go out together and we are the group that will dance everywhere, anywhere. If we're at 508 or Sneaky Pete's on a Friday or Saturday night, we'll have a couple drinks and all of a sudden we're dancing.
Three more and out with Lewis-Walker
- Do any '80s videos influence your work now?
"Bette Davis Eyes." Everything was dark and shadows. A lot of those visuals help show choir performances. "Billie Jean," Michael walking on the lights. A lot of videos influence how I see things on stage.
- So you watched a lot of MTV then?
I have a slew of tapes. Every video possible had either "Soul Train" or the MTV Music Awards on it. That's where I got a lot of my ideas from.
- Do you have a "day job"?
At the Macaroni Grill in Rosedale. I'm an opera singer. I sing "Happy Birthday" in Italian or sing an aria if it's an anniversary. I'll always do music as long as I live.
