L. James O’Gilvie was born and raised in Boston MA. He began his dance education with Boston Ballet School’s City Dance Program progressing to the Pre-Professional level. In 2017, following a summer studying at The Ailey School’s Summer Intensive in New York, James was inspired to expand his dance education with other genres and joined Urbanity Dance as a student, Youth Company member and Junior Apprentice. In 2020, James was accepted into University of Hartford, The Hartt School, with a full tuition scholarship as a Dance Performance major. He received his BFA in May 2024 and during his time there he had the immense pleasure and privilege of performing works by Martha Graham, José Limon, Lar Lubovitch, Jacqulyn Buglisi, Pascal Rioult, Tamisha Guy, and Jamar Roberts. Through the Hartt School James was also able to travel abroad to study Gaga Rep and Crystal Pite Rep at the Henny Jurriëns Studio in Amsterdam. James has guested for Peter DiMuro’s Public Displays of Motion in Boston, MA, for Connecticut Concert Ballet and for Fisher Ballet School both in CT. James is thrilled to be joining the Philadanco family this season!