Jazz Choreography Enterprises (JCE) is a not-for-profit corporation formed in 2007 whose mission is to promote the creation of original jazz dance in concert form. JCE’s goal is to keep jazz dance thriving by presenting the JCE Jazz Dance Project (formerly known as the New York Jazz Choreography Project), a semiannual dance concert featuring jazz choreography by emerging and established artists in a variety of styles. In this way choreographers and dancers gain experience working in jazz styles, and audiences have opportunities to see the richness of this great American art form.

In May 2007, Marian Hyun, Co-Artistic Director of JCE, produced the first performance of the New York Jazz Choreography Project. The performance sold out and generated enthusiasm from the artists and audience. Realizing that choreographers need opportunities to develop their work and that audiences have fewer opportunities to see jazz dance than in years past, Marian Hyun, Co-Artistic Director Merete Muenter, and two other dance lovers founded JCE in July 2007. JCE has produced all subsequent performances of the Jazz Project.

 

Outreach and Education

• JCE also seeks to educate dancers and the public about jazz dance. We offer classes in significant jazz styles and techniques that are open to all dance students. We’ve sponsored master classes in Matt Mattox Freestyle Jazz Dance taught by Jazz Project choreographer Bob Boross; Jack Cole technique taught by Ed Kresley, a former archivist for the American Dance Machine; and Betsy Haug style taught by dance artist Gail Pearson, who was Betsy Haug’s assistant. In April 2021 we began the JCE Pop-Up Classes, a monthly series of virtual classes in various jazz styles. Teachers have included Lizz Picini, Ashlé Dawson, Teresa Perez Ceccon, and Lisa Biagini.
• Since 2016 JCE has offered a mini-course centered on a Jazz Project performance for Honors Program students from Quinnipiac University. The students, most of them non-dancers, are given reading and video-watching assignments and take a jazz dance class taught by Marian Hyun and Merete Muenter. Watch the video of the students learning the Charleston.
• JCE is collaborating with Groove With Me, a wonderful nonprofit dance and youth development organization for girls 4-18 years old who reside in East Harlem and the South Bronx. We will offer six classes in jazz dance during the year and comps for our performances to students from Groove With Me.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kathy J. Cooke, PhD, President
Director of the Honors College
California State University, Los Angeles

David A. Valone, Ph.D., Vice-President
Professor and Chair of the Department History and Geography
Quinnipiac University

Merete Muenter, Secretary
Freelance Director and Choreographer
Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
Operations Manager, National Asian Artists Project
Member, Actors’ Equity Association

Robert J Braglia, Treasurer
Private Wealth Management
President, American Financial & Tax Strategies, Inc.,
a Registered Investment Advisory Firm

Maurice Lyle, AWMA®, CRPC®
Financial Advisor | Portfolio Advisor
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
Member, Bloomfield College Alumni Association
Member, Phi Beta Sigma Inc – Chi Sigma Chapter
Board Member, Powerful Progress LLC
Council Member, Community Options
Member, ToastMasters Essex Club
Member, NAACP

Martha B. Warschau, ChFC, CLU
Financial Professional
Equitable Advisors
Member, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA)

JUNIOR BOARD
Danielle Diniz
Choreographer, Dancer and Dance Educator
Member, Actors’ Equity Association
Faculty, Steps on Broadway Academy and Manhattan Youth Ballet

Michelle Isaac
Dancer, Choreographer, Educator, and Speaker
Artistic Director of Ntrinsik Movement
Associate Artistic Director of IFE The Movement
Co-Director of Ntrinsik Studios
Dance Educator & Instructional Leader, Uncommon Schools Brooklyn

Fréyani Patrice
Dancer, Choreographer, Mentor, Leader
Artistic Director of IFE The Movement
Associate Artistic Director of Ntrinsik Movement
Administration of Pretty Big Movement 1st International Plus Size Company
Co-Director of Ntrinsik Studios

Tommy Scrivens
Freelance Dancer and Actor
Member, Actors’ Equity Association
Adjunct Professor of Dance, Marymount Manhattan College
Legacy Teaching Artist, American Dance Machine for the 21st Century
Adjudicator, Impact Dance Adjudicators and Embody Dance Conference

ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
Merete Muenter
Danielle Diniz

FOUNDERS
Marian Hyun