choreographer & teacher

“Jessica creates movement and exercises that allow her dancers to find freedom and clarity in their bodies, minds, and spirits. Her energy is a supportive and nurturing one, ensuring that her dancers feel seen and understood. From this supported space, healthy growth and learning are inevitable.”
— Grace H., Professional Freelance Dancer

previous workshops —

coaching —

Artists, movers, shakers of all ages and levels — work towards your dreams with utmost support and care.

    • Audition Prep

    • Ballet

    • Career (& Life) Coaching

    • College Prep

    • Contemporary & Improvisation

    • Musical Theater

    • Yoga & Wellness

    • Schedule a free consultation

    • Discuss your background, goals & dreams

    • Create a structured yet ever-evolving yet plan

    • Track progress in a shared Google Doc

  • “I've been working with Jess for 4 years now! She does a great job of breaking down the "how" and "why." For example, in our ballet work, we have broken down how to properly engage my back at the barre. I have acquired a deeper understanding of why ballet barre exercises are so structured and specific. Jess is also a gifted yogi and has taught me how to incorporate yoga into my dance practice. During the pandemic, we worked virtually to create a warmup that meets my specific needs. I consistently do this warmup now before I film self-tapes or head into an audition room. Consider yourself lucky if you have opportunity to work with Jess. She brings so much joy and positive energy to every lesson and is an incredible teacher and mentor alike.”

    - Helen Clare, Musical Theater Performer

    More testimonials here.

workshops —

Thoughtfully curated workshops to empower performing artists.

  • A movement, writing, and discussion based workshop to empower performing artists:

    Created to address the unique and overlooked needs of performing artists, this workshop, will encourage you to become your own advocate, invite you to listen to your intuition, provide you with tools to care for your health, challenge you to become empowered in your artistry and expression, and offer support in building a career in the performing arts industry. The 1.5-hour* workshop can be hosted by dance studios, pre-professional programs, colleges, companies, and shows.

    More info here.

  • CHOREOGRAPHY/REPERTOIRE — Learn Musical Theater choreography (including Hofesh Shechter’s 2016 Broadway Revival of Fiddler on the Roof)

    MOVEMENT FOR STORYTELLING — Explore how to use movement, breath, and dance to create/inform your character, celebrate your own movement style and gain confidence in dance, singing and acting auditions.

    AUDITION PREP/MOCK AUDITION — Become more confident in classes, auditions, rehearsals + performance by receiving tips on dance, singing, and acting auditions. Then, experience a curated audition with callbacks, feedback & the option to present a song/scene.

    Q&A— Discuss training, auditioning, touring, professional life, side jobs, gaining community, making your own path, transitioning into and out of different careers, etc.on text goes here

    More info here.

  • Move through a ballet class in your own way, on your own terms. Class starts with a brief movement meditation, transitions into a ballet barre/class filled with options, and concludes with a nurturing cool-down stretch.

    The goal of this class is to reconnect you to ballet in a way that is loving and kind, to allow a safe space for you to listen to the individual needs of your mind and body, and to take a class at your own pace, take care of yourself, and feel the support of the people around you.

    More info here.

  • The Body Project is a dissonance-based, body acceptance program for high school girls that is backed by two decades of research and shown to effectively reduce body dissatisfaction and have a positive impact on eating disorders.

    Students will attend four 1-hour (or six 45-min) sessions designed to improve body image by critiquing unrealistic ideals of beauty.

    More info here.

classes —

Any of the following can be offered independently or combined with multiple classes.

musical theater

  • Learn Musical Theater choreography (including Hofesh Shechter’s 2016 Broadway Revival of Fiddler on the Roof)

  • Explore how to use movement, breath, and dance to create/inform your character, celebrate your own movement style and gain confidence in dance, singing and acting auditions.

  • Become more confident in classes, auditions, rehearsals + performance by discussing:

    • Dance — structure and logistics of a dance call, strategies for success, wardrobe and dance shoes

    • Singing — music book, singing in front of a panel, speaking to the pianist

    • Acting — how to prepare your script, character and wardrobe, working with a reader

  • Experience a curated audition with callbacks, feedback & the option to present a song/scene.

  • Come take a workout class with a warm, fun and nurturing movement professional! Classes are 45 minutes and you’ll get to sweat, strengthen, and stretch to your favorite Broadway tunes.

ballet

  • Move through a ballet class in your own way, on your own terms. Wear what you want, pause when you want. Class starts with a brief movement meditation, transitions into a ballet barre filled with options, and concludes with a nurturing cool-down stretch. Listen to the individual needs of your mind and body and feel the support of those around you. 

  • Have you always wanted to try ballet but thought it was too late? This class is for everybody and anybody who has ever been curious about what the art of ballet can offer them. The aim is to find joy and expression through this historic art form, in a way that is kind towards the body.

  • A ballet class catered to the unique needs of actors and singers who want to be more comfortable in dance calls and classes.

yoga & wellness

  • Class includes meditation, intentional warm up to support the body, faster paced flow sequences to engage the body and move through space, strengthening work, a cool down stretch, and a rest. The benefits you’ll receive include:

    • Connection to your body, mind, and breath

    • Improved strength, balance, and flexibility

    • Increased energy levels and improved sleep and moods

    • The ability to challenge and celebrate yourself

    • “I’d love to try yoga but I’m too intimidated and don’t know where to begin!”

    • “I can’t do yoga because I’m not flexible enough!”

    • “I could never quiet my mind enough to do yoga!”

    If you’ve ever had any of these thoughts, you’ve found the right place. Yoga is about beginning where you are and I am here to take you on a journey with your mind, body, breath, and movement. You will learn the very basics of how to learn, heal, and grow through yoga.

  • You give to everyone around you. You don’t feel like you have the time for yourself. Does this sound like you? What if you committed just one hour a week to YOURSELF? You’ll be reinvigorated and reassured as you gain strength and flexibility, improve your posture, and learn tools to cope with stress.

  • This is a Vinyasa Flow class that is geared to the performing artist. Themes of class will include:

    • Discovering how to push yourself while remaining gentle and patient with your mind and body

    • Exploring true agency and empowerment with your body

    • Learning tools to warm up for and cool down after a class, audition, performance, etc.

  • Learn poses, sequences, and tools to use from a chair or seated position. These are shorter classes (10-20 minutes) created specifically for those taking breaks from work. Whether you are a visual artist creating their children’s book, a law student studying for the bar, an elementary school teacher during nap time, or anyone who has just a moment to take time for themselves, this is for you.

  • Connect to yourself, organize your life, understand your needs and desires, accomplish your goals, dream big and follow through with a supportive group of people. Feel free to collect a group on your own!

about jess —

Jessica was the Dance Captain/Swing on the Fiddler on the Roof 1st National Tour, the Assistant Choreographer for the Fiddler on the Roof National Tour, the Assistant Director for May We All: A New Country Musical, Associate Director for Cinderella at Geva Theater Center and plays a supporting role in the upcoming feature film Candlewood.

Deeply passionate about supporting artists’ health, her training and certifications include: BFA in Dance and BA in Psychology from Marymount Manhattan College, ABT® Teacher Training Intensive (Primary through Level 3), 200-hr Certified Yoga Teacher, Body Project Facilitator through the National Eating Disorder Association, Trauma-Informed Yoga Training (Exhale to Inhale), and Youth Protection Advocates in Dance® Safety & Wellness Certification. 

Full bio here.

teaching philosophy

My mission is to support artists on their journeys towards embodiment, empowerment, and expression. In addition to learning the piece of choreography that’s been giving you a hard time, establishing a morning movement routine to help kick start your day, or creating daily habits to care for your mental health while on tour, here are some underlying themes I incorporate into all of my teaching:

EMBODIMENT

  1. Starting with and accepting where you are in this moment

  2. Connecting to your body and breath in your own unique way through meditation, journaling, movement and discussion; if you are stuck in your mind, get out of it by going into your body

  3. Treating yourself with love, care and respect; prioritizing mental and physical health

  4. Returning back to your body after disassociation and trauma; moving and creating because you can, not because you have to

  5. Discovering your individual movement quality; becoming more comfortable on stage, in class, in an audition, in a courtroom, in an operating room, in your own home, etc. 

EMBODIMENT

  1. Looking at your life holistically; celebrating all of who you are, carving your own path and defining your own version of success

  2. Taking others’ advice as an invitation not a command

  3. Understanding that your body and your voice are your personal tools of resistance, sources of revolution  

  4. Using your voice to advocate for yourself and others  

  5. Building your community and support system, letting the rest fall away 

EXPRESSION

  1. Listening to your needs, wants, and desires; trusting your intuition and following through with action 

  2. Holding onto your true joy and fighting for it; letting training and technique be freeing, not limiting

  3. Sharing your story as an act of healing, connection, and community building 

  4. Playing with many crafts and mediums, pursuing what makes you curious 

  5. Seeing life as a playground, as a blank canvas, as empty space to fill with movement… 

YOU’VE FOUND THE RIGHT PLACE IF YOU WANT…

  • To heal/improve your relationship with your body, movement, dance, your health, your dreams, and/or the art form you love.

  • To treat yourself with loving-kindness, heal from a lack of positive reinforcement, and find your way back home after burn out. 

  • To discover a more holistic, balanced way to live your life by incorporating movement that feels good to your body, gain perspective on your life and career, and discover what will fuel you in the “in-between job” moments.

  • Support in identifying your needs and desires, honoring your intuition, and committing to the actualization of your dreams.

  • To find joy in movement again, discover the love for and confidence in your whole self, and connect with like-minded individuals to support you.

  • To dive into dance again on your own terms, when the timing is right for you/

  • A one-stop-shop for the artist for all things mental health, mindfulness, lovingkindness, and returning home to the body.