The Dancers

Artistic Director

Diana "Holy Focus" Windley

Artistic Director Diana Windley began choreographing in her family’s living room as soon as she could walk. Her first professional credit was as a 12 year old for Oswego State University’s production of "A Miracle on 34th Street." As a teenager her work continued to be produced in many Central New York venues. In 1996 she attended the New York State Summer School of the Arts directed by former Paul Taylor dancer, Carolyn Adams, where she danced with future Saint Michael’s Warriors Dance Company member, Mara Torres, for the first time.

Diana reunited with Mara at Barnard College, Columbia University, dancing and creating works with both the dance department and the student dance company. At Barnard, Windley worked with choreographers Rebecca Stenn, Donlin Foreman and Jim and Lorry May of the Players’ Project, with whom she was privileged to dance at Anna Sokolow’s Memorial Concert at the Joyce Theater. She was awarded the Bear Pin for outstanding leadership over four years, the King’s Crown Leadership Award from Columbia University, and graduated Magna Cum Laude, with an AB in Dance and Political Science.

As a professional, Ms. Windley danced with a variety of modern and hip-hop companies, but these experiences could not quench her desire to labor for her Maker alone. After reading John Paul II’s Letter to Artists, and a prayerful consultation with the Lord and her patron, St. Joan of Arc, she began St. Michael’s Warriors Dance Company at age 23; with her “hand to the plow” she has not looked back...