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.