COMMUNITY WORK
ACADEMIC TEACHING
BOULDER, CO
Intermediate/Advanced Contemporary (Technique)
This course challenges intermediate and advanced students to refine their understanding and personal approach to the study of international contemporary dance. Students will deepen their sense of somatic awareness, efficient athleticism, and creative voice.
Beginning Ballet with Experience (Technique)
This course relies on a demonstrated comprehension of kinesthetic and conceptual principles mastered at the beginning level. New movements from the classical ballet vocabulary are introduced with continued emphasis on alignment, rotation, and movement quality.
Dance & Popular Culture and Media (Lecture)
This course explores and contextualizes contemporary popular culture and dance. Through methods of critical analysis students will examine the rich heritage of dance that exists in the club, on the street, on television, on the big screen and elsewhere in everyday life.
Beginning Jazz (Technique)
This course is an introduction to jazz dance technique that will include a range of performance styles, improvisation, and African-influenced polyrhythms. Students will engage with jazz dance history, movement vocabulary and fundamental dance skills such as isolations, flexibility, core strength, across the floor and center choreography.
Beginning Contemporary (Technique)
This course is an introduction to contemporary dance forms that will include afro-modern, classical modern, floorwork, and improvisation. Students will develop their relationship with breath, increase their flexibility and core strength, and deepen their understanding of weight and mobilizing the body through space.
Teaching Assistant: Dance & Popular Culture and Media (Lecture), West African Dance (Technique)
COMMUNITY OUTREACH TEACHING
Creative Dance Kids Denver, CO
Fostering youth development through the art of dance, ages 3-12. Teaching creative movement, in collaboration with fellow teachers to meet students’ physical and emotional needs.
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Denver, CO
Fostering youth development through the art of dance, ages 6-12. Teaching modern, hip-hop, ballet, and afro-fusion, in collaboration with parents and fellow teachers to meet students’ physical and emotional needs.
Lakewood Cultural Arts Center Lakewood, CO
Fostering youth development through the art of dance, ages 7-14. Teaching ballet and performance, in collaboration with parents and fellow teachers to meet students’ physical and emotional needs.
Moving in the Spirit, Inc. Atlanta, GA
Fostering youth development through the art of dance, ages 3-18. Teaching modern, jazz, hip-hop, ballet, improvisation and choreography, in collaboration with parents and fellow teachers to meet students’ physical and emotional needs. Choreographic work has been presented at the Rialto Center for the Arts, Synchronicity Theatre, Emory Performing Arts Studio, and 2019 National Apprentice Corporation Tour.
The Move/Dance! Program Atlanta, GA
Teach Move/Dance! program students to develop their creativity through dance, ages 10-18. Develop student communication and presentation skills in preparation for public dance performances.
Jessica has also been a guest teacher at Dekalb School of the Arts and North Atlanta High. For private teaching please contact Jessica.
ARTS ADMINISTRATION
National Black Arts (NBAF) Atlanta, GA
Assistant Director of Youth Programs
Aug 2019 - Aug 2021
Plan the delivery of NBAF’s youth arts education program Move/Dance!. Develop a program evaluation framework to assess the strengths of the program and to identify areas for improvement. Supervise and support program staff by providing direction and feedback. Publicize the activities of Move/Dance! to the general public through NBAF website, press releases, social media, and uarterly newsletter. Maintain NBAF’s growing network of partners including alumni, mentor artists, community supporters, artists and arts organizations. Direct and implement final performances in partnering schools.
Data & Communications Specialist
May 2017 - Jul 2019
Develop marketing plans and strategies for online and direct mailing communications. Manage social media, website, email distribution, and donation platforms. Create promotional materials for youth and public programs. Assistant coordinator of annual special events, Fine Art + Fashion and Gala.
