The JCE JAZZ DANCE PROJECT
OCTOBER 2025
Jazz Choreography Enterprises, Inc., presents The JCE Jazz Dance Project on October 26, 2025, presenting the work of 14 choreographers, devoted exclusively to the art of jazz dance. Over the past 18 years, JCE has presented emerging artists and veteran artists who hail from Broadway and TV. Through this in-person show, people of all ages can enjoy a variety of different jazz styles and see first-hand JCE’s mission to promote the creation of original jazz dance in concert form.
Since 2007, JCE has presented nearly 200 emerging and established choreographers and over 2000 dancers from the U.S., Japan, South Africa, and Europe. Not only has JCE supported jazz choreographers over the past 18 years, but they have worked to make jazz dance education accessible for people of all levels and ages. The performances will be presented at the Martha Graham Studio, located at 55 Bethune Street in New York City.
Photo: Jan La Salle
DATES
Sunday, October 26, 2025 at
2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
A talkback with the choreographers follows each performance
LOCATION
How to get there
BY SUBWAY
Take the A,C,E, or L to 14th Street.
Exit the station and walk South on 8th Avenue. Continue past Abingdon Square Park, then take a right on to Bethune Street. Located on the corner of Bethune and Washington Street.
OR:
Take the 1, 2, or 3 to 14th Street.
Exit the station and walk West on 14th Street. Take a left on to 8th Avenue. Continue past Abingdon Square Park, then take a right on to Bethune Street. Located on the corner of Bethune and Washington Street.
Tickets Available Now
$25 General Admission
$20 Seniors 65+, Children, Students with valid high school or college ID
Useful Information
No refunds.
For questions, please contact 212-369-9036 or info@jazzchoreography.com
Artistic Director
Merete Muenter
Merete Muenter is a choreographer and director, as well as the Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Jazz Choreography Enterprises. Choreography: Off-Broadway –FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – IN YIDDISH (Assistant Choreographer – Director, Joel Grey), AMERIKE THE GOLDEN LAND (The National Yiddish Theater - Folksbiene), THE GOLDEN BRIDE (Chita Rivera Award Nomination / The National Yiddish Theater - Folksbiene), SOUTH PACIFIC and MAN OF LA MANCHA (Plaza Theatricals), THE KING OF SECOND AVENUE (New Repertory Theater). Director / Choreographer: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – IN YIDDISH – (Associate Director, Off-Broadway / New World Stages – Director, Joel Grey), THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, (American Theater Group), CHICAGO, TOMMY, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, (Woodstock Playhouse), THEY WALK AMONG US (MITF / Award - Best Choreography), WINESDAY – (Associate Director / Movement Coordinator – Off-Broadway). Short Film: THROUGH THE AGES (Director / Choreographer / Producer) Multiple Film Festival Awards. Originally from Buffalo, New York. SUNY Geneseo Graduate.
Board President
Kathy J. Cooke
Kathy J. Cooke is Director of the Honors College at California State University, Los Angeles. She previously served as founding Honors Director at Quinnipiac University and Founding Dean of the Honors College at the University of South Alabama. She is a long-time supporter of Jazz Choreographer Enterprises, and the original architect of the Quinnipiac Honors Signature Experience in Jazz Dance. In addition to taking an unlikely first place in Quinnipiac's 2015 Dancing with the Stars competition, with skilled partner Ethan Pandalfi, Cooke is an American historian with grants to support oral history, community engagement, and history of reform and biology.
Featured Choreographers
Ariana Andretta
Michael Callahan
Teddy Cruz
Jeff Davis
Giorgia Falcioni
Jaryd Farcon
Taylor Gordon
Katie Hopsicker
Cam Loeser / Cole Jazz
Myrto Panagakis
Bridget Ryan
Tommy Scrivens
Jala Settles
Betty Weinberger
Ariana Andretta
Born and raised in NYC, Ariana Andretta grew up surrounded by movement. The historic St. George Theatre was an active part of her formative years, which gave her an appreciation for a theatrical space early on. Ariana’s intention as an artist is to celebrate community through dance and storytelling with the goal of making theatre an equitable space. Ariana received her B.A. in Theatre Arts (summa cum laude) from SUNY New Paltz. Her time there versed her with the craft of character and development of choreography, especially thanks to her mentor, Joe Langworth. As a performer, Ariana has worked regionally on “Mary Poppins” (Potsdam Music Theatre), danced as a swing for Billy Griffin’s “History Repeating” (Steps Studio Theater), and most recently joined Jena VanElslander’s TSQ Project. In the choreographic sphere, Ariana’s work has been shown in festivals such as NACHMO (Mark Morris), PLUNGE (Peridance), and “A Burden to Bare” group art exhibition. She has also apprenticed with Freddy Ramirez on “Pippin” (The School at Proctors) and choreographed/assisted in educational settings throughout NYC/Upstate NY. Ariana is grateful to JCE for virtually gathering us to celebrate jazz dance!
Michael Callahan
Michael Callahan is a Performer, Choreographer and Educator based out of New York City. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Michael studied at The Youth Performing Arts School and went on to earn his B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Elon University. Michael has Choreographed Off-Broadway, Regionally, and around the world. Notable Theaters include Theatre Aspen, Transcendence Theatre Company, FlatRock Playhouse, Post Playhouse, Berkshire Theatre Group, and Hangar Theatre. Currently, Michael is the Dance Captain at Aladdin the Musical on Broadway and a Guest Artist at Broadway Dance Center. Special thanks to this amazing cast of dancers, everyone who donated their time in the creation of this piece and Julio. www.michaelcallahan.me
Teddy Cruz
Teddy Cruz is an eighteen-year-old performance artist with a focus on dance and choreography. Born in Nashville Tennessee, Cruz has been involved in the production of a variety of creative works for the past decade and a half. He began at the age of four, in 2014 he joined The Ann Carroll School of Dance, and went on to perform as a company member through his senior year of high school. In 2015 he auditioned for Nashville Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” through which he received a spot in the Young Men’s Scholarship Program (YMSP) the following year. He remained a student at the School of Nashville Ballet until 2021. Teddy participated in three Nicholas Scheuer Dance productions in multiple roles including, “Alice in Wonderland” (2023), “Wizard of Oz” (2024), and “Frozen” (2025). In 2023 he was given the opportunity to choreograph and perform a solo which he competed under The Ann Carroll School of Dance. His first solo was titled “Ribs” (2024), and was followed up with his short film “Ribs – The Forgetting” (2025). For his senior year he created “Goodbye Berlin” (2025) which is an exploration on club culture, and the experience of artists in Berlin during WWII. Teddy graduated high school with the class of 2025, and is currently a freshman at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green majoring in dance.
Giorgia Falcioni
Giorgia Falcioni (she/her) is an Italian Musical Theatre and Theatre Jazz choreographer and director whose work bridges European and international stages. She has directed and choreographed acclaimed productions including Chicago, Fame, Nine, Beauty and the Beast, and Grease, earning top prizes at national and European competitions. Her career spans both professional and educational contexts, from large-scale musicals to commercial entertainment and variety shows. Trained at Performance Preparation Academy (UK), the Bernstein School of Musical Theatre (Italy), and Steps on Broadway (NYC), Giorgia’s choreography has been recognized with multiple awards, including first prize at the European Ballet Grand Prix in Vienna (2024) and scholarships at the Fini Dance Festival in New York. She is passionate about blending jazz style, storytelling, music, and movement to create dynamic, character-driven work that connects with audiences worldwide.
Jaryd Farcon
Jaryd Farcon is a dancer, choreographer, and educator based in New York. He studied at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts and graduated magna cum laude from the Ailey/Fordham BFA program. He has performed with Ailey II and BHdos, and attended esteemed programs including Jacob’s Pillow, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, Orsolina 28, and Ballet Hispánico. His performance credits include Dancing With The Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and BTS’s Permission to Dance UN music video. On stage, he has appeared in Julie Taymor’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the Broadway Votes video Carrying the Banner, and All That Jazz with ADM21. He also performed in the opening number Magic to Do/Bye Bye Blackbird at the Chita Rivera Awards with the Verdon Fosse Legacy. Jaryd is a former competitive ballroom dancer who represented Team USA at the Blackpool Dance Festival in England, placing Top 21 globally. He also served as dance captain for the Knicks City Kids and Lil’ Torches at Madison Square Garden and is a National YoungArts Foundation Winner in Jazz Dance. Currently, he is on faculty at Steps on Broadway and a company member with The New Jack Cole Dancers, continuing to share his artistry with the next generation.
Katie Hopsicker
Katie Hopsicker is a choreographer and creative based in Syracuse, NY. With a BFA in Dance from Southern Methodist University and an MA in Arts Journalism from Syracuse University, her goal is to combine her passions of dance and media. She spent time in NYC working in production at SNL, Late Night, and the TODAY Show, and specializes in social media for the entertainment industry. Her choreography credits include: Salve Regina University, Moving Forward Dance Emerging Artists Festival, Finding Compassion Dance Festival, Tawn Marie’s Dance Centre, and various other studios in Upstate NY. Katie is so excited to be back in NYC to present a piece at JCE. You can follow her at @choreobykatie @katiehopsicker
Cam Loeser
Cam Loeser is the Artistic Director of COLE JAZZ and its dance company The NEW Jack Cole Dancers, an acting non-profit that works to further the legacy of Jazz pioneer Jack Cole through education endeavors and performance projects. Through COLE JAZZ, Cam has taught the Jack Cole Technique across the globe in NY, California, Tokyo, London, and Mexico. Cam Loeser Directed and Choreographed The New Jack Cole Dancers’ CLUB ACT, presented at The Mastercard Midnight Theater in NYC. They are currently expanding this work for a New York return through the CUNY Dance Initiative, with a premiere set for 2026 followed by a West End production. Cam had the privilege of acting as the late Chet Walker’s Associate, working closely alongside Chet across the globe up until his passing. He served as the Associate Choreographer for the PIPPIN Broadway Revival, restaging the production on behalf of Chet both in Japan and Australia. Cam also acted as Tour Choreographer for Finding Neverland, the Resident Director/ Assistant Choreographer for the CHICAGO National Tour, and the Dance Captain/ Swing for the UK Tour of CHICAGO’s run in Tokyo.
Myrto Panagakis
Myrto Panagakis is a New York City based performer and choreographer born and raised in Athens, Greece. She received her training from the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, the Steps Conservatory and HB acting studio in NYC. She holds a Diploma in Dance and Dance Teaching from Niki Kontaxaki Professional Dance School and a BA in English Language and Literature from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has presented her own work and has also performed in venues like Lincoln Center, the Joyce Theater, Ailey Citigroup Theater, Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, National Dance Institute, Don’t Tell Mama, 100 Grand Street, Arts on Site, The Chain Theatre, Chelsea Industrial and Loy Luo Art Space. She is the co-founder and resident dancer and choreographer of Lucid Art Collective, a collective which provides space for dancers, choreographers and artists to experiment and collaborate. Prior to her moving in NYC she was a dancer with MAZI dance theatre in Athens where one of her highlights was originating the leading role of “La Vieja” in Federico Garcia Lorca’s “Yerma”. She has also participated in various theatrical productions and has a recording track on streaming platforms.
Bridget Ryan
Bridget Ryan is the artistic director and founder of Bridget Ryan Dance Company. She is a New Jersey/ New York based choreographer, dancer and teacher. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude with minors in Dance and Applied Performance from Drew University. At Drew she was awarded the Rumi Award in Choreography. In combination with both her passion for dance and psychology, it allows Bridget to cultivate pieces with a unique perspective to connect with others. Bridget’s choreography has been shown throughout NJ/NY/PA. Such performances include Dance New Jersey, White Wave Solo/Duo Festival, 8 in Show, Dance Bloc NYC Festival, Montclair Dance Festival, Spark Theatre Festival, New York State Dance Education Association Conferences, River Dance Festival, Garden Series, The Support Network of Madison, Vision and Pathways, Morris Arts and Survivors Speak. She has been a guest choreographer for dance company shows, taught workshops and summer intensives.
Tommy Scrivens
Tommy Scrivens is a Florida native, where he trained at New Tampa Dance Theatre. He graduated from The Ohio State University with a BFA in dance performance in 2005. While training, he has had the opportunity to work with many world-renowned choreographers and dancers. Tommy has performed with Columbus Dance Theater Contemporary Ballet Company, in the United Kingdom tour of Tap Fusion, as a guest artist with BalletMet, Columbus, Collide, and Parsons Dance. Later in his concert dance career, he danced with dre.dance, Nicholas Andre Dance, marInspired, and Kristin Sudeikis Dance. In addition to company work, Tommy has been featured in several movies, musicals, and TV shows. Some highlights include The Big Gay Musical movie, City Center Encores’ production of “Where’s Charley?” and “Fiorello” and the premier of Rosie O’Donnell’s return to prime-time TV on Rosie Show, featured on the OWN network. He has had the honor of working with the Verdon/ Fosse Estate on archiving and restaging the legendary work of Bob Fosse and is a principal member of American Dance Machine for the 21st Century. Tommy performed in the pre-Broadway run of the new musical Roman Holiday in San Francisco, Sophisticated Ladies directed by Andre DeShields and appeared in the FX show Fosse/Verdon starring Michelle Williams and Sam Rockwell. As a choreographer and teacher, Tommy has worked all over the world including Brazil, China, and Russia. He has worked with performers of all ages and ranges including professional, pre-professional, students with intellectual and physical disabilities, students with autistim, and blind students. In the United States, he has been privileged to teach at Peridance, Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, The Ohio State University, Adelphi University, Manhattanville College, Marymount Manhattan, CAP21 with Molloy University, and many dance studios across the nation. Throughout his career Tommy has been an assistant choreographer for shows like Motown the Musical, the Miss Florida Pageant, and several shows from the NYMF festival. Most recently, he assisted the director and choreographer for the North Shore’s Smokey Joe’s Cafe and the 2022 Jimmy awards, choreographing for the Food Network show Beat Bobby Flay, and was movement director for the original play The SupaDupa Kid at Barrington Stages. Tommy is an adjunct Professor at Marymount Manhattan’s Musical Theatre Program. He was just named the inaugural Legacy Teacher for ADM21 and a protégé with the Verdon/Fosse Legacy LLC .
Jala Settles
Jala Settles is a multidisciplinary artist from Boston, Massachusetts. She is a choreographer, spoken word artist, and singer. Jala holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Salve Regina University, where she was a member of the Salve Dance Company for four years. She is also currently a member of Jo-Mé Dance Company. Her work centers community, joy, and freedom of expression which are values she views as essential to jazz dance. She is currently exploring art as a form of resistance, using it to empower others to stand in their truth and light. Deeply committed to honoring Black American art forms, Jala aims to highlight their legacy and power. Jala has performed at WaxWorks in Brooklyn and Jazz Choreography Enterprises in New York City, and has presented work at the Newport Jazz Festival and Bridging the Gap: A Jazz Dance and Music Festival in Newport, Rhode Island. She is currently preparing to present work at the Providence Honk Festival. As an emerging artist, Jala is passionate about creating space for authenticity and connection, using her voice and body as tools for storytelling and change.
Betty Weinberger
Betty Weinberger is a New York City-based dancer, actor, singer, choreographer, and teaching artist. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Betty’s earliest dance training was heavily influenced by contemporary and modern styles. She received a Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Business from Oklahoma City University, studying stage management, producing, lighting design, directing, development and fundraising, and more; all in addition to dancing and performing with the Ann Lacy School of Dance and Arts Management. As a dancer and performer, Betty is signed with CESD Talent. She has performed at regional theaters (Maltz Jupiter Theater, Fireside Theatre), on national tours (ELF: The Musical), and in tv/film (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Law and Order). Some special career highlights are performing in Freddie Falls in Love at the Joyce Theatre, and inside the MET Gala with Leslie Odom Jr- directed by Baz Luhrman and choreographed by Andy Blankenbeuhler. She regularly participates in fundraising performances for various causes (BCEFA, Arts for Alz, Leg Up On Life), as well as industry showcases (DanceBreak, Kiss My Face).
