Meet the 2021 Artist Faculty at The School at Jacob’s Pillow:
Meet our Faculty
Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Program Director
Contemporary Ballet
The Colombian-Belgian Annabelle Lopez Ochoa (she/her) is a prolific, sought-after, and award-winning choreographer who has created more than 100 works for 81 dance companies around the world. A versatile choreographer, Annabelle’s wide-ranging body of work includes short conceptual pieces, full-length narratives, and dance films.
Luis R. Torres
Program Director
June 20-July 4
Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Luis R. Torres is currently the Ballet Master at Hong Kong Ballet. Torres graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Dance and Psychology and completed a Master of Fine Arts from George Mason University.
Maurice Causey
Artist Faculty
Contemporary Ballet
Maurice Causey is an American born, European based dance artist. For the last eight years, he has been a patron for the Austinmer Dance Theater in Australia directed by Michelle Forte. He is currently based in Amsterdam.
Amy Seiwert
Guest Choreographer
June 20-July 4
Amy Seiwert enjoyed a nineteen-year performing career dancing with the Smuin, Los Angeles Chamber, and Sacramento Ballets. As a dancer with Smuin Ballet, she became involved with the “Protégé Program,” where her choreography was mentored by the late Michael Smuin.
Jared Redick
Master Class Artist
June 24
Jared Redick, Interim Dean of Dance at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), trained at Mikhail Baryshnikov’s School of Classical Ballet at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) and at The School of American Ballet.
Julie Kent
Master Class Artist
July 1
Julie Kent has been at the helm of The Washington Ballet (TWB) since July 2016 and was the longest serving ballerina in American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT) 80 year history.
Milton Myers
Program Director
Contemporary
Milton Myers is a teacher of the Lester Horton Technique and the Program Director of The School at Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Program. Mr. Meyers performed with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, directed the Joyce Trisler Danscompany, and has been honored by the International Association of Blacks in Dance for his extraordinary teaching and mentorship to dancers.
Helen Pickett
Program Director
July 11-25
Helen Pickett, a native of San Diego, CA, has created over 40 ballets in the U.S. and Europe. The Crucible, her newest full length for Scottish Ballet, premiered at Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) 2019, winning two awards; UK Theatre Critics Award and the Herald Angel Award.
Sarah Hillmer
Artist Faculty
July 11-25
An Atlanta, GA native, Sarah Hillmer has dedicated over 17 years to the professional dance world as a dancer, assistant to choreographers, ballet master, stager, educator, and creator. Her company credits include the Atlanta Ballet, glo-as a founding member, and staibdance.
André M. Zachery
Guest Choreographer
July 11-25
André M. Zachery is a Brooklyn-based interdisciplinary artist. As the artistic director of Renegade Performance Group (RPG), his practice, research and community engagement artistically focuses on the merging of choreography, technology and Black cultural practices through multimedia work.
Gustavo Ramírez Sansano
Master Class Artist
Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, born in 1978 in San Fulgencio, Spain, was Artistic Director of Luna Negra Dance Theater from 2009 until 2013, and now combines his work as a freelance choreographer with Proyecto Titoyaya, the Spanish dance company he founded in 2006 with Veronica Garcia Moscardo.
Michelle Dorrance
Program Director
Tap Dance
Michelle Dorrance is a New York City-based performer, choreographer, teacher, and the Artistic Director of Dorrance Dance. Mentored by Gene Medler (North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble), she was lucky to study under many of the last master hoofers.
Dormeshia
Program Director
Tap Dance
Throughout her career, Dormeshia has earned the moniker "the queen of tap," a title bestowed upon her by The New York Times, a testament to her unmatched skill and artistry. She has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Doris Duke Artist Award, the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award, the Dance Magazine Award, and the Bessie Award.
LaTasha Barnes
Program Director
Creating in Jazz
Bessie Award winner and New York Times critically acclaimed Breakout Star of 2021, LaTasha Barnes is a multi-hyphenate Tradition-bearer of Black American Social Dance from Richmond, VA. A dynamic educator, performer, and choreographer, Barnes is globally celebrated for her musicality, athleticism, and infectiously joyful presence throughout the cultural traditions she bears.
Derick K. Grant
Program Director
Tap Dance
Derick K. Grant is a native of Boston, MA where he began his training at the Roxbury Center for the Performing Arts. He was an original member of Bring In ‘Da Noise, Bring In ‘Da Funk, created and directed by George C. Wolfe and choreographed by Savion Glover, where he became dance captain and later the lead for the first national tour.
Jason Samuels Smith
Artist Faculty
August 1-15
Jason Samuels Smith, (Tap Dancer, Choreographer, Performer) received an Emmy, Dance Magazine Award, American Choreography Award, and Gregory Hines Humanitarian Award.
Dianne McIntyre
Program Director
Choreography Fellowship
Dianne McIntyre is a dancer, choreographer, curator, cultural investigator who creates work in dance, theatre, film, and opera. Known for collaborations with live music, she founded and directed Sounds in Motion Company and School in Harlem for many years.
Risa Steinberg
Program Director
Choreography Fellowship
Risa Steinberg is active in many facets of the dance community as a performer, teacher, re-constructor of the works of José Limón, rehearsal coach, and mentor to young, emerging, and established choreographers. As a choreographic advisor, she has the honor of mentoring many emerging and established choreographers, including Brian Brooks, Kyle Abraham, Kate Weare, and Michelle Dorrance.