Marcus Jarrell Willis began his formal training at the Johnston Performing Arts Middle School, the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and Discovery Dance Group in Houston, Texas. At age 16, he moved to New York City and studied at The Ailey School as a scholarship student. Mr. Willis is a recipient of a Level 1 ARTS award given by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and has received scholarships to many schools, including The Juilliard School. He was a member of Ailey II and also worked with Pascal Rioult Dance Theater, Dominic Walsh Dance Theater, and Tania Pérez-Salas Compañía de Danza. Mr. Willis performed with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 2008-2016 traveling around the world performing, teaching numerous masterclasses and participating in Outreach in various communities throughout the world including and most recently South Africa. He has presented work in the 2009 TDDC Contemporary Dance Festival in NYC, The Ailey Dancer's Resource Fund performances, The Ailey School, The Dance Gallery Festival and The Dance Gallery Festival Level Up Commission in 2013, among other festivals. Commissions include works created for Ailey II, Company Danzante, University of Minnesota and Satellite Collective. Most recently, he self produced a full evening of his choreographic works in "An Evening To Remember" in NYC. Mr. Willis will forever continue his journey and exploration in the Arts striving to reach hearts all around the world.