The JCE JAZZ DANCE PROJECT
OCTOBER 2023
The October 2023 JCE Jazz Dance Project is a celebration of jazz dance that will enthrall audiences of all ages! Please join us on October 28th and 29th to enjoy jazz dances in a variety of styles: swing, Afro-Latin, musical theater, contemporary, and more!
Featured choreographers include:
Kiley Corcoran
Shany Dagan
Jeff Davis
Mia De Franco
Mariah Gomez
Taylor Gordon
Lisa Harvie
David Cartahena Lee
Trinity Leite
Sam Lobel
Robert Redick
Tommy Scrivens
Jaime Shannon
Cory “Nova” Villegas
Marian Hyun and Merete Muenter, Artistic Directors
Danielle Diniz, Associate Artistic Director
“Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler” choreographed by Kenya Joy Gibson. Photo: Jan La Salle
DATES
Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 4 p.m. – A talkback with the choreographers moderated by Fatima Logan-Alston, Artistic Director of VashtiDance Theater, follows the performance.
LOCATION
KnJ Theater at Peridance
126 E. 13th Street
New York, NY 10003
www.peridance.com
Tickets Available Now
From October 9th:
$35 General Admission
$25 Children and Students with valid high school or college ID (Promo Code Student)
For groups of 10 or more, contact info@jazzchoreography.com to learn about the group discount.
If you can’t attend the performances, we hope you’ll consider donating to JCE.
For Student discount after October 8th, enter Promo Code Student, then click Apply.
Online ticket sales will close one hour before the performance time; thereafter tickets will be available only at the door.
Useful Information
Covid Policy:
Masks are strongly suggested, but not required.
Refund Policy:
Refunds decided on a case-by-case basis. Eventbrite’s fee is nonrefundable.
Door Policy:
Please present a printout of your receipt (and valid high school or college ID for students) at the ticket desk to claim your tickets. Doors will open one half hour before show time. Ticket sales will close 10 minutes after the show begins. Latecomers who purchased tickets in advance will be seated at the discretion of management.
Artistic Directors
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.
Danielle Diniz
Danielle is the Co Artistic Director of Jazz Choreography Enterprises and has choreographed for the Ailey BFA program, Jacob's Pillow, New York Dance Project, Ballet Hartford, Central Utah Ballet, Stars of American Ballet, Earl Mosley's Diversity of Dance, St. Paul's ballet program, Columbia Ballet Collaborative and the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, among others. She was also honored to be Artist in Residence at Tribeca BMCC via CUNY Dance Initiative last year. She choreographed the musicals ‘My Way’ and ‘On the Air’, made her Off-Broadway choreographic debut at the AMT Theatre with 'An Unbalanced Mind,' presented work at the McCallum Theatre/Palm Desert Choreography Festival and the New York Theatre Barn Choreography Lab at BAC and was awarded a grant from NYFA. She choreographs musicals for AMDA and has served as Associate Choreographer for Lorin Latarro. She enjoys teaching at Steps on Broadway, Peridance, Mark Morris and Manhattan Youth Ballet and has a B.A. from Cornell University.
Featured Choreographers
Kiley Corcoran
Kiley Corcoran is a performer, teacher, and choreographer based in New York City. She grew up in Andover, Massachusetts and studied under Jeannette Neill and her pre-professional dance company, Boston Youth Moves, continuing her education in ballet, jazz, tap, and Horton technique. She graduated as Valedictorian with her BFA in Dance and Minor in Musical Theatre from The University of The Arts. Some of her favorite credits include performing in works by Milton Myers, Paul Matteson, and Jesse Zaritt, in addition to being a part of Tommie Waheed-Evans’s piece “Bodies as Site…” at the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) in Los Angeles. Most recently, she choreographed for American Dance Training Camps and was based at their Vermont location. Kiley is currently on the jazz and tap faculty at the acclaimed ABT-affiliated dance school, American Youth Dance Theatre, where her work has been shown at the Kaye Playhouse Theatre. To Mom, Molly, and the incredible women in my life: thank you for always inspiring me.
Shany Dagan
Shany Dagan is an Israeli-American performer and choreographer working in NYC, CA, and Israel. She moved to NYC in 2012 after serving three years in the Army (IDF). She’s an American Musical and Dance Academy NY graduate, a Broadway Dance Center Professional Semester Alumna, and a trained aerialist from the Warehouse Circus Intensive Program. Shany performed in “The Little Mermaid” (Fireside Theatre), “Christmas Wonderland” tour and “Le Grand Cirque” (Dublin Productions), RWS & Holland America Cruise Line, “Hope the Musical,” Israel’s “Dancing With the Stars,” and NBC. She is a board member of the California-based SpectorDance Company under the direction of Fran Spector Atkins, where she performs for causes such as Sustainability, Climate Change, and Social Awareness. As a choreographer, Shany draws inspiration from her background as a Modern dancer, gymnastics, and her 12-year fitness experience, converging to a rare combination of athleticism and grace. Shany’s choreography was presented in various NYC venues, such as Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, Leg Up On Life, Gibney Development Project, and Martha Graham Studio. She also presented her work in Israel’s yearly Karmiel Dance Festival and SpectorDance’s “Dance that Makes a Difference” in Monterey, CA. Shany is always on her creative route.
Jeff Davis
Jeff Davis is a NYC based Dancer, Choreographer and Visual Artist. He is the Founder and Director of Jeff Davis Dance, fusing art, musical theater, contemporary and jazz dance to tell unique stories. His background in dance, theater, opera and puppetry have led to multifaceted, thought provoking and highly entertaining performance pieces. He recently choreographed Caravantasy for the Spring JCE Jazz Dance Project. His work French Trio premiered at the 2019 Fresh Fruit Festival, winning outstanding dance. His collaborations with Glitter Kitty Theater include Director and Choreographer of the Gunfighter Meets his Match for the New York Musical Festival (NYMF) and One for the Ages! at Theater for the New City. He is a former Co-Artistic Director of the Hudson Vagabond Puppets, touring and staging large scale puppetry. He is also co-creator of The Dick & Anita Holiday Hour! and The Lovely WILDS with composer Elliot Roth. As a performer, he has been featured with Labyrinth Dance Theater, NYC Children’s Theater, Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company, Josh Prince’s Broadway Dance Lab, PCLO and Pittsburgh Opera; international tours with Attack Theatre and Zullo/Raw Movement; national tour of the hit musical FOSSE.
Mia De Franco
Mariah Gomez
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Mariah Gomez has been dancing since the age of three. She was a member of Mossa Dance Academy for eight years, where she trained and competed in ballet, modern, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, and contemporary. Mariah is 18 years old, and a Senior at The Beacon School. Mariah is also currently one of the Senior Directors and Choreographers for the Beacon Dance Company but was the first Junior Director in the history of the program. She is mentored under the direction of Artistic Director Cory “Nova” Villegas and enjoys teaching others and passing on her knowledge of dance. She has also had the opportunity to dance with Chloe Arnold, The Syncopated Ladies, MOVE |NYC|, IFE Youth Dance Theater and Jazz Choreography Enterprises in their October 2023 Jazz Dance Project.
Taylor Gordon
Taylor Gordon is an international dancer, creator, and educator based in NYC for over 18 years. She is currently Show Supervisor for Step One Dance Company/RWS Global and Resident Director for Dublin Worldwide Productions, as well as on Musical Theater faculty at New York Film Academy. Taylor performed at Lincoln Center with The Metropolitan Opera Ballet, 4 seasons of The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Off-Broadway and national tour of Angelina Ballerina The Musical, at The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Jacob’s Pillow, TUI Cruises, internationally as dance captain with Spirit Productions, and with many ballet & contemporary companies in NYC like Exit12 Dance Company. She has danced across 50 countries and her choreography has been presented at JCE, STEPS Beyond Foundation, and Uptown Rising.
Lisa Harvie
Originally from Ottawa, Canada, Lisa Harvie is a New York City based dancer, educator, and choreographer. She holds her MFA in Dance from Montclair State University and is a graduate of the University of Toronto. Lisa is a longstanding faculty member at Steps on Broadway teaching for the Open Professional Division and the Conservatory Program, and previously with the Steps Youth Academy. She teaches at Vassar College in both the Dance and Drama Departments and is a choreographer for the Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre. She is on faculty at Montclair State University and is a guest artist at Iona University. Lisa has been a guest teacher at Joffrey Ballet School, NYU’s Strasberg Institute, The School at Columbia, as well as Open Jar Institute, Verb Ballets, Destination Broadway, the British Association of Dance, and the Elan Awards. She has choreographed for Woman in Motion, the Foolish Theater Company, Gateway Playhouse (Associate), and has showcased a multitude of pieces at Steps on Broadway. . National and regional performance credits include West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Carousel, Singin’ in the Rain, Oklahoma, Footloose, Kiss Me Kate, Rags, The Great White Way, and Scrooge.
David Cartahena Lee
David Cartahena Lee, originally from Union City, California, began his dance journey in high school show choir. At San Jose State University he trained in Limon under Gary Masters before transferring to the University of California, Irvine, where he obtained his BFA in Dance performance and danced for the late Donald McKayle. David has performed at theme parks, dance companies such as JazzXchange, Rogue Makers, Gotham dance theater, California Contemporary Ballet, placed at Hip Hop International, performed commercially for indie artists in LA and NY, and toured China. David recently earned his Master’s in Dance Education: dances of the African diaspora from NYU. David was the company director of Rogue Makers in Southern California, set choreography at private and public studios and schools and Evoke Dance Company. He has presented his choreography at Club Jete, Sybarite, Inhale/Exhale, amongst many more and is currently in residency with Alpha Omega Dance Theater. David’s choreography is based in street styles and contemporary movement with the culture and history of these dance styles as the foundation of his movement practice. Currently, his choreography investigates the Asian American experience of our shared experiences and the nuances of our differences.
Trinity Leite
Trinity Leite is a performer, choreographer, and teacher from Hamden, CT. She is currently an undergraduate at Salve Regina University, pursuing a B.A. in dance and a B.S. in finance. At Salve Regina University, Trinity is a member of the pre-professional dance company, Extensions Dance Company, and serves as the dance program assistant under director Lindsay Guarino. Trinity has had the opportunity to work with trailblazers in the jazz industry, such as Kimberley Cooper, Carlos Jones, Brandi Coleman, Monique Haley, and Alvon Reed. Through her studies, she has become passionate about engaging in and celebrating the art of jazz dance. Trinity’s movement aesthetic is a fusion of styles, including jazz, tap, hip hop, and contemporary, but is unified by a deep connection to music and rhythm. Trinity aspires to generate movement that evokes what she believes is the most profound human emotion: joy.
Sam Lobel
Sam Lobel is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer based in New York City. Sam is on faculty at Steps On Broadway, the Broadway Dance Center Children & Teen Program, and Luna Performing Arts. She produced her own evening-length dance narrative titled “Love, In Time.” Sam was the associate choreographer for Nicholas Palmquist for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Gala, the Steps Professional Performance Workshop, and the Peridance Certificate Program and for Marc Kimelman’s piece for the Professional Semester at BDC. She has presented her work at the Young Choreographer’s Festival, NACHMO, NYC Choreographer’s Forum, APEX, Sybarite Love is Love, DUMBO Dance Festival, Think Tank the Showcase, DoubleTake Dance Gala and more. Sam was a part of the Nordstrom BP Pride campaign and was part of the RWS workshops for Houdini and Premiere on the MSC Meraviglia and Seascape Ships. She is passionate about her craft and cherishes every opportunity to share it!
Robert Redick
Robert Redick is a New York-based choreographer, performer, producer, and educator. A Joffrey Ballet School graduate, his choreographic and teaching credits include Joffrey Ballet School, Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance, Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, Harlem School of the Arts, Kanyok Arts Initiative, Brooklyn Dance Festival, Bryant Park Summer Series, and the Youth American Grand Prix. Additionally, Robert is currently Programs Director and a resident choreographer at Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance. He is also the production coordinator, curator, and host for the Uptown Rising Performance Series held at the Bridge for Dance. Uptown Rising gives choreographers the affordable opportunity to present, discuss and receive feedback on their work and process. Robert has a deep passion for creating an inclusive, fulfilling experience with the artists he collaborates with. He believes in instilling confidence and allowing a safe space for humanity to thrive.
Tommy Scrivens
Tommy Scrivens is a Florida native. He graduated from The Ohio State University with Contemporary Ballet Company, in the UK 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. Most recently Tommy performed in the pre-Broadway run of the new musical “Roman Holiday” in San Francisco, appeared in the FX show “Fosse/Verdon,” and in “Sophisticated Ladies” directed by André DeShields. As a choreographer and teacher, Tommy has worked all over the world. In the US he has been privileged to teach at Peridance, Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, The Ohio State University, Adelphi University, Manhattanville College, and Marymount. Most recently, he assisted the director and choreographer for the North Shore’s “Smokey Joe’s Café” and the 2022 Jimmy Awards, and was movement director for the world-premiere of “The Supadupa Kid” at Barrington Stages. Tommy is currently an adjunct professor at Marymount Manhattan’s Musical Theatre Program, and he was just named the inaugural Legacy Teacher for ADM21 and a protégé with the Verdon/Fosse Legacy LLC.
Jaime Shannon
Jaime Shannon began her dance training at the age of four at the Lee Lund Studio of Dance in Milford, CT. In 2006 she received her B.A. in dance from Hofstra University where she studied with Lance Westergard, Stormy Brandenberger, Robin Becker, Carla Wolfangle, Rachel List, and Amy Marshall. Since then, Jaime has performed professionally with Azul Dance Theatre, Dance Cat-Alyst, Soluq Dance Theater, Lauren Hale Dance, and Kelley Donovan and Dancers. In 2010 Jaime met Tony Fraser and together, they quickly became a dynamic partnership in the swing dance community. Together they have performed and taught various styles of swing dance throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. In 2014 Jaime formed Kilowatt Dance Theater (KDT), a dance company specializing in the roots of early jazz dance, swing, lindy hop, and blues in combination with modern and contemporary dance. KDT has had the honor of performing at such noted venues as Jacob’s Pillow, The Battery Dance Festival, Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night’s Swing, and Jazz Choreography Enterprises.
Cory “Nova” Villegas
Cory “Nova” Villegas, a native of the Hunts Point area in the Bronx, embarked on her dance journey at the tender age of five, immersing herself in Salsa On 2 at Starlite Dance Studio under the guidance of David Melendez. Continuing her passion at Dancers DreamZzz School of Dance under Debbie Melendez and the mentorship of Kimberly Rivera, known as “The Lady of Soul,” Cory honed her skills. Her dedication led her to Lehman High School, where she trained under Penelope Kalloo, a former member of the Forces of Nature Company, exploring ballet, Afro-Caribbean, Bollywood, Contemporary, and various Modern dance styles as a member of the Lehman High School Dance Company. It was during this time that Cory created her inaugural Salsa piece, “Acuyuye.” Post-graduation, Cory transitioned into teaching at Dancers DreamZzz and Lehman High School while furthering her studies at Lehman College under Michael Manswell, specializing in Dunham Technique. Eager to delve deeper into Dance Education, she pursued her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at Hunter College’s Arnhold Graduate Dance Education Program, mentored by renowned choreographers Pedro Ruiz Jr. and Maura Donohue. Cory’s choreographic prowess flourished with works like “Creciente” (2017), “La Liberacion” (2018), and “Calle Soul” (2018), showcased at prestigious events including the Bronx Borough Arts Dance Festival, Ailey CitiGroup Theater, and the EstroGenius Festival. She also graced stages with her performances for artists like Don Omar and collaborated with Forza Malizia Dance Co.
Beyond dance, Cory found a passion for lighting design, illuminating venues such as Hunter College’s Kaye Playhouse and the Jamaica Center Performing Arts Center. In 2019, she co-founded Soul Dance Co.: The Soul Experience, serving as Artistic Director alongside Kevin Williams. Cory’s dedication extends to her role as Beacon Dance Program Director and Artistic Director of the Beacon Dance Company at Beacon High School. Currently pursuing an MFA at Hunter College, Cory is slated to graduate in May 2024. Her journey is marked by gratitude for her gift of dance and the love she’s received in showcasing her work, a testament to her enduring passion and commitment to the art form.
