JANELLE GILCHRIST
Dancer/Teacher/Choreographer Dedham, MA 201-240-4834 janellegilchrist.com janellegilchristdancetroupe.com jgilchrist18@msn.com facebook.com/jgdancetroupe Instagram@janellegilchrist Instagram: @janellegilchristdancetroupe youtube.com/c/JanelleGilchrist
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Professional Dancer, Choreographer, and Teacher with over 20 years of experience, specializing in ballet, modern, jazz, and hip-hop. Experience teaching dance to students from children to adults, of all levels and abilities, from various demographics including inner city public schools. Dance curriculum developer for both private studios and inner-city dance programs. Permanent teacher in Boston Public Schools. Artistic Director of Janelle Gilchrist Dance Troupe. Manager of production schedules.
EXPERIENCE
Boston Conservatory at Berklee / Assistant Professor of Dance
January 2021 – Present, Boston, MA
- Teaching ballet to intermediate/advanced level college students.
- Creating a syllabus for Advanced/Intermediate Ballet.
Janelle Gilchrist Dance Troupe /Director/Choreographer
June 2011 – Present, Boston, MA
- Directing, choreographing, advertising, hiring dancers, and presenting performances.
- Creating dances in the contemporary ballet style- blending elements of ballet, modern, and jazz into the company repertoire.
- Performing in Boston venues including the Strand Theatre, Green Street Studios, Mills Art Gallery, Somerville Arts Festival, Dance for World Community, The Dance Complex, Salem Arts Festival, Spring Step, the Cyclorama, and the Nathaniel Allen House in Newton, MA.
Concord Academy/Summer Camp Dance Teacher
2019 -Present, Concord, MA
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Teaching ballet, modern, improv and dance history to campers.
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Showcasing students in the final performance at the end of camp.
City Ballet Boston/Guest Artist
2018 -2021, Boston, MA
- Performed in company performances including the Urban Nutcracker.
Boston Arts Academy / Full-time Ballet Instructor
September 2018 – 2022, Boston, MA
- Teaching ballet, modern, jazz, and dance history to inner city high school students in the Boston Public Schools.
- Creating syllabus, lesson plans, unit plans, curriculum, mastery objectives and criteria for success for students.
- Attending department and staff meetings.
- Advising 7-10 dance majors per year.
- Building relationships with parents and students and promoting community engagement.
José Mateo Ballet Theatre/School Principal
2016 -2019, Dorchester, MA
- Taught children ages 3-14 in creative dance, pre-ballet and ballet.
- Prepared end-of-year demonstrations for all levels.
- Performed administrative duties.
José Mateo Ballet Theatre/Company Dancer/Ballet Teacher
2012 -2018, Cambridge, MA
- Performed for José Mateo Ballet Theatre.
- Taught ballet classes including adult beginner, intermediate, advanced, and company classes.
- Taught all levels of children’s ballet classes.
Boston University Reach Program/Lead Dance Teacher
2013 -2017, Boston, MA
- Taught ballet to high school campers.
- Choreographed pieces for end-of-camp recitals.
- Performed throughout the Boston area.
- Provided daily mentoring and counseling to young dancers.
BalletRox/Program Manager/Company Manger/Company Dancer
2009 -2016, Boston, MA
- Collaborated with Boston Public School principals to incorporate dance programs into daily school schedules.
- Developed a creative movement curriculum used by BalletRox teachers for teaching BPS students.
- Hired and supervised BalletRox teachers who taught in the Boston Public Schools.
- Provided teacher training in classroom management and curriculum implementation.
- Determined themes for end-of-term recitals.
- Co-Managed classes at BalletRox Dance located at Spontaneous Celebrations in Jamaica Plain, MA.
- Guided and mentored Youth Council students in the production of end-of-term recitals.
- Taught dance classes in the Boston Public Schools through BalletRox.
- Scheduled rehearsal times for adult and children roles and managed company dancers in the Urban Nutcracker.
- Danced leading roles including ‘Sugarplum Fairy,’ ‘Snow Queen,’ and ‘Branch’ in the Urban Nutcracker.
Moses Brown/Dance Teacher/Choreographer
2008 -2012, Providence, RI
- Taught dance fitness and ballet to upper house students at Moses Brown.
- Choreographed musicals including Cabaret, Music Man, and Hello Dolly.
Other Dance Studios/Dance Teacher/Choreographer
Tony Williams Dance Center, Angel Dance Troupe, Step by Step Dance, Loperfido Dance Academy, Brown University, Newport Academy of Ballet, List Academy of Music.
ARTISTIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
CHOREOGRAPHY
- Miami Swim Week Performance, Faena Forum Miami, FL–2022
- Residency with New England Ballet Theatre West Hartford, MA–2022
- JGDT performance with Pro Arte String Quartet Newton, MA–2022
- Choreography for ‘After Closing’ short film Dartmouth MA–2022
- Choreography for Hannah Eaton short film Little Compton, Rhode Island–2022
- Choreographed Boston Center for the Arts Activate Residency Boston, MA–2022
- JGDT ‘Vignettes’ Dance Complex, Cambridge MA–2019
- Choreographer for Emerson College student BFA thesis Boston, MA–2019
- IDEXX Flash Mob, Bellagio Hotel Las Vegas, NV–2011
- IDEXX Flash Mob, Copley Place Boston, MA–2011
CAREER DANCE HIGHLIGHTS
- Deb Medical Hip Hop Dance Video, Boston, MA
- Anthony Williams Urban Nutcracker, ‘Sugar Plum Fairy;’ Boston, MA
- Island Moving Company, Rosecliff; Newport, RI
- David Parker’s Nut/Cracked, Calderwood Pavillion; Boston, MA
- Anna Myer and Dancers, Boston Ballet Studios; Boston, MA
- Nanette Bearden Dance Company, Ailey City Group Theater; NYC
- Celebrity Cruises, Hard Drive Productions; Caribbean Islands
- Legends in Concert, On Stage Entertainment; Surfside, SC
- The Nutcracker, New Jersey Ballet; NJ
- The Morgan Scott Ballet, Bryant Park; NYC
- Jacob’s Pillow, Inside/Out Theater; Berkshires, MA
- Tim Melady’s Metamorphing, Hartt School; Hartford, CT
- The Nutcracker, Hollywood Bowl; CA
- Romeo and Juliet, The Bushnell; Hartford, CT
- Greendale, Neil Young, CT
- Stars & Stripes, Acts of Light; Hartt School CT
- Kirk Peterson’s Sleeping Beauty, Hartford Ballet, CT
- Broadway Theater Project, Ann Reinking; Tampa, FL
- Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker, The Wang Center; Boston, MA
MOVIES
- “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” Entourage 2021
- “Labor Day” Pie Shop Employee 2013
- “Grown Up’s 2,” Customer at Ice Cream Parlor 2013
- “Here Comes the Boom,” Exercise class participant 2021
- “What’s your Number,” Dancer at Wedding, Contrafilms 2011
- “The Fighter,” Spectator Sugar Ray scene, Columbia Pictures 2010
- “21,” Flight Attendant, Columbia Pictures 2008
- “27 Dresses” Bridesmaid, 20th Century Fox 2008
Films of pieces I have choreographed:
“UNVEILED”
No Time To Die Contemporary Ballet Dance
EDUCATION
Mount Holyoke College – Masters of Arts in Teaching
September 2020 – May 2022 South Hadley, Massachusetts
- Licensure: Massachusetts Dance (K-12) anticipated June 2022
- Passed MA Communications and Literacy MTEL & Dance MTEL
- Endorsements: Massachusetts Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement
American Ballet Theatre – National Training Curriculum Certification in Ballet
July 2021 Pre-Primary-Level 3
University of Hartford – BFA in Dance Performance Cum Laude
September 1997 – May 2001 Hartford, Connecticut
Awards
M.A.T. Excellence in Teaching Award
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Screen Actors Guild 2010 – Present
LANGUAGES
English (Native), German (Beginner), French (Beginner)
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
Bikram Yoga, African Dancing, Chinese Folk Dancing, Martial Arts, Aerobics, Piano, Voice, Read Music, Video Editing, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), PC/Mac proficient
TRAINING
- Boston Casting-Acting Workshop: Angela Peri
- CP Casting-On Camera Auditioning: Carolyn Pickman
- Hartford Ballet School- Ballet: Kirk Peterson, Alla Osepienko, Franco Devita, Adam Miller
Modern (Graham Technique): Peggy Lyman, Kim Stroud
- Concord Academy Ballet and Modern: Richard Colton and Amy Spencer
- Boston Ballet School: Christine Busch, Sydney Leonard, Laura Young
- Dance Theatre of Harlem: Arthur Mitchell, Tyrone Brooks, Levine Nadu
- Broadway Theater Project: Ann Reinking, Gregory Hines
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Professional Dancer, Choreographer, and Teacher specializing in ballet, modern, jazz, and hip-hop;
Experience teaching children and adults on all levels and abilities; Dance Curriculum Developer for both private studio and inner-city dance programs.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
School Principal Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre, Dorchester, MA 2016-Present
•Duties include teaching children ages 3-14 in creative dance, pre-ballet and ballet as well as preparing end-of-year demonstrations for all levels
Dancer José Mateo Ballet Theatre, Cambridge, MA 2012-Present
•Performances include lead roles as the ‘Sugar Plum Fairy’ and ‘Dew Drop Fairy’ in the Nutcracker Suite; ’Third Pas de Deux’ in Vanished Verses; and ‘First Pas de Deux’ in Streams
Ballet Teacher José Mateo Ballet Theatre, Cambridge, MA 2012-Present
•Instruction levels include adult beginner, intermediate, advanced ballet, and company classes as well as all levels of children’s ballet classes.
Choreographer José Mateo Ballet Theatre, Cambridge, MA 2012-Present
•Several original works, namely, ‘Classical Hop,’ winner in 2014 Dance for World Community Competition
Artistic Director/ Program Manager BalletRox, Jamaica Plain, MA, 2009-2016
• Collaborated with Boston Public School principals to incorporate dance programs into daily school schedule
• Developed Creative Movement Curriculum used by BalletRox teachers for BPS students
• Hired and supervised BalletRox teachers for the Boston Public Schools
• Provided teacher training in classroom management and curriculum implementation
• Determined themes for end-of-term recitals
• Co-Managed classes at BalletRox Dance located at Spontaneous Celebrations in Jamaica Plain, MA. Team Teaching
• Guided and mentored Youth Council students in the production of end-of-term recitals
Company Manager BalletRox, Jamaica Plain, MA 2010-2012
• Scheduled rehearsal times for adult and children roles and managed company dancers in the Urban Nutcracker
Company Dancer BalletRox, Jamaica Plain, MA 2005-2012
• Danced leading roles including ‘Sugarplum Fairy,’ ‘Snow Queen,’ and ‘Branch’ in the Urban Nutcracker
Lead Dance Teacher Summer Reach Program, Boston University MA 2013-Present
Five-Week Youth Dance Camp
• Teaches Ballet to high school campers
• Choreographs pieces for end-of-camp recitals performed throughout the Greater Boston area
• Provides daily mentoring and counseling for young dancers
Freelance Boston-based Choreographer 2010-Present
• Choreography includes works in ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, and musical theater for student recitals and professional performances such as Flash Mobs in Boston, MA and Las Vegas, NV.
• Founder and Artistic Director of the Janelle Gilchrist Dance Troupe in 2011 with a focus on contemporary ballet blending ballet, modern, and jazz into the company’s repertoire. The company has performed around the Boston area at venues including the Strand Theatre, Green Street Studios, Mills Art Gallery, Somerville Arts Festival, Dance for World Community, and Spring Step.
Dance Teacher
• Tony Williams Dance Center * Jamaica Plain, MA * Ballet, Jazz, Tap * 2008-Present
• Boston Public Schools * Boston, MA * Creative Movement * 2008-Present
• Angel Dance Troupe * Waltham, MA * Jazz, Ballet * 2009-Present
• Step by Step Dance * Waltham, MA * Ballet, Modern* 2010 – Present
• Loperfido Dance Academy * Woburn, MA * Ballet, Tap, Contemporary * 2009 – 2010
• Brown University * Providence, RI * Hip-Hop Jazz Fusion * 2009
• Newport Academy of Ballet * Newport, RI * Ballet * 2005 – 2008
• List Academy of Music * Newport, RI * Musical Theater Dance * 2005 – 2007
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Screen Actors Guild 2010 – Present
LANGUAGES
English (Native), German (Intermediate), French (Intermediate)
INTERESTS AND ADDITIONAL SKILLS
Bikram Yoga, African Dancing, Chinese Folk Dancing, Martial Arts, Aerobics, Piano, Voice, Video Editing, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), PC/Mac proficient
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
CHOREOGRAPHY
• IDEXX Flash Mob, Media Direct Productions, Bellagio Hotel Las Vegas, NV
• IDEXX Flash Mob, Media Direct Productions, Copley Place Boston, MA
DANCE
• Deb Medical Hip Hop Dance Video, Boston, MA
• Anthony Williams Urban Nutcracker, ‘Sugar Plum Fairy;’ Boston, MA
• Island Moving Company, Rosecliff; Newport, RI
• David Parker’s Nut/Cracked, Calderwood Pavillion: Boston, MA
• Anna Myer and Dancers, Boston Ballet Studios; Boston, MA
• Nanette Bearden Dance Company, Ailey City Group Theater; NYC
• Celebrity Cruises, Hard Drive Productions; Caribbean Islands
• Legends in Concert, On Stage Entertainment; Surfside, SC
• The Nutcracker, New Jersey Ballet; NJ
• The Morgan Scott Ballet, Bryant Park; NYC
• Jacob’s Pillow, Inside/Out Theater; Berkshires, MA
• Tim Melady’s Metamorphing, Hartt School; Lincoln Theater, Hartford, CT
• The Nutcracker, Hollywood Bowl; CA
• Romeo and Juliet, The Bushnell; Hartford, CT
• Greendale, Neil Young, CT
• Stars & Stripes, Acts of Light; Hartt School Lincoln Theater, CT
• Kirk Peterson’s Sleeping Beauty, Hartford Ballet: CT
• Broadway Theater Project, Ann Reinking; Tampa, FL
• Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker, The Wang Center; Boston, MA
EDUCATION
University of Hartford, Hartt School, CT – BFA Dance Performance
TRAINING
• Boston Casting-Acting Workshop *Acting * Angela Peri
• CP Casting-On Camera Auditioning * Acting * Carolyn Pickman
• Hartford Ballet School * Ballet * Kirk Peterson, Alla Osepienko, Franco Devita, Adam Miller
• Hartford Ballet School * Graham Technique * Peggy Lyman, Kim Stroud
• Concord Academy * Ballet * Richard Colton, Amy Spencer
• Boston Ballet School *Ballet * Christine Busch, Sydney Leonard, Laura Young
• Dance Theatre of Harlem * Ballet * Arthur Mitchell, Tyrone Brooks, Levine Nadu
• Broadway Theater Project * Musical Theater * Ann Reinking, Gregory Hines
Janelle Gilchrist 