NTID professor named Community Champion

‌

Thomas Warfield, director of dance at RIT/NTID, will be honored May 16 as a community champion for his role in advancing LGBT equality and justice in Western New York.

Thomas Warfield, director of dance at Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf, has been named a 2015 Community Champion honoree by the Empire State Pride Agenda. Warfield, along with 24 other honorees, will be celebrated May 16 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center for his commitment to advancing LGBT equality and justice in Western New York.

As a professional dancer, singer, pianist, actor, composer, choreographer, teacher, producer and poet, Warfield has performed in more than 100 U.S. and foreign cities and has presented solo concerts and workshops in schools, hospitals, community centers, homeless shelters and correctional facilities. He works with urban youth, professional dancers and musicians, the elderly, mentally and physically abused, blind and deaf children and many others worldwide. He has taught ballet, modern and African-based dance, piano, choreography, voice, drama, English, as well as classes on inner peace, self-esteem and nurturing compassion.

“When I learned that I would be included in this celebration, I felt humbled to be among these exceptional honorees,” said Warfield. “It made me pause and think about how it is important to come out and live authentically. It is also vital to extend our kindness in helping and advocating for others across boundaries of race, gender identity, religion, socio-economic status, age, disability, ideology. In a sense, to live beyond the cloud of our internalized oppression or the fear that one’s life can’t have a transformative impact. Education may broaden us, art may inspire us, our family and friends may help guide us, but it is our own individual acts of compassion toward others which defines us and teaches us who we truly are.”

According to his nomination form, “Warfield’s work in the LGBT community has elevated conversations around race and diversity in Western New York and around the world. He continues to further the conversation with black ministers and the faith community on the subject of AIDS and sexuality. He engages youth to tell their stories and opens the doors for them to blossom into bold, beautiful people owning who they are and proud to share it with those in their community.”

Along with his duties at NTID, Warfield is the founder/artistic director of PeaceArt International, a global outreach organization that uses the arts to foster world peace, He is also associate director of Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre and vocal soloist at Unity Church in Rochester, N.Y., and the Chilmark Community Church on Martha’s Vineyard. He serves on the boards of the Education for Peace, Rochester Area Community Foundation, Greentopia, The Gateways Music Festival, China Millennium Council, ARTWalk (former president), Muccc Theatre, Shoulders to Stand On, New York Dance Festival and the William Warfield Scholarship Fund at the Eastman School of Music. He is also a founding member of the World Dance Alliance.