Who We Are
The Dance/NYC Junior Committee (JComm) is a proactive working committee of emerging leaders in the field. As a project of Dance/NYC, we initiate significant projects in research, advocacy, and career development while strengthening each member’s relationship to the dance community. JComm is an incubator for the next generation of dance leadership and serves as a catalyst for innovation and invention in the dance field. We generate ideas through dialogue and we move those ideas into action.
Serving a Multicultural City
JComm comprises up to 20 members, ages 21-30,* who represent various roles within the NYC dance community. In order to more effectively represent our peer group we are working to reflect our multicultural city within our own membership. Diverse perspectives are necessary to prepare a new generation of dance leadership for the difficult challenges facing the field. We use principles of community organizing as a framework for addressing how to meaningfully enact change around the issues we find most pressing. We are actively seeking applicants who are dedicated to moving issues of equity and inclusion in dance from an ideological discussion into action. We encourage those who identify as ALAANA (African, Latina/o/x, Asian, Arab, and Native American), disabled, and/or LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) to apply.
INTENTIONS
- Serve as a liaison for our demographic in the wider dance community
- Provide a forum for dialogue among a diversity of perspectives in our field
- Foster professional development in our constituency
- Generate ideas that will serve our common goals and those of Dance/NYC
ACTIONS
- Facilitate communication among and with our peer group
- Raise awareness of available resources and opportunities
- Organize events that address relevant issues
- Consult regularly with Dance/NYC
EFFECTS
- Strengthen and unite a community of professional artists and administrators
- Serve as a catalyst for innovation and invention in our work
- Re-energize our peer group in a challenging field
- Help Dance/NYC better serve our demographic
HISTORY
The Dance/NYC Junior Committee (known formerly as the Youth Advisory Committee) was the brainchild of former Dance/NYC Executive Director Michelle Burkhart. The committee was created in the autumn of 2007 as a counterpart to Dance/NYC’s Advisory Board to advocate specifically for young professionals in dance and to serve as a liaison between Dance/NYC and its younger constituents. Initially representing New York City’s 19-to-25 demographic, in 2007 12 members were selected randomly from a pool of applicants interested in connecting more closely with Dance/NYC.
In our first year, the Junior Committee met at first quarterly—and soon, monthly—with Dance/NYC staff, shaping initiatives that would bring younger constituents to the service organization’s resources and programming. To that end, the Junior Committee first published a quarterly e-newsletter, in February of 2008, which has served over 200 subscribers.
Fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011 have brought a steady increase in interest in the Junior Committee. In 2010 we widened of the age bracket of members, now 21-30 years of age, to serve a broader demographic of emerging professionals and to foster exchange between members with varying levels of experience in the field. The group is comprised of performing and teaching artists, choreographers, educators and administrators.
Dance/NYC has encouraged the committee to assume internal leadership and take independent initiative while we continue to work in a close and mutually supportive partnership toward common goals. New members are welcomed annually by application.
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Current and Former Members
2021–2022
Joan Bradford, Co-Chair
Stephanie Rivas, Co-Chair
Maya Simone Z., Secretary
Anna Bjella, Communications Chair
Abigail Linnemeyer
Audrey Berger
Brooke Rucker
Catherine Messina
Dianne Walsh
Katherine De La Cruz
Leila Mire
Nia Washington-Saeed
Portia Wells
Sophie Visscher-Lubinizki
Yesenia Paula
Read more about the current committee.
2020–2021
Ami Scherson, Co-Chair
Linda Ryan, Co-Chair
Anna Bjella
Anna McDunn
Brooke Rucker
Danielle Iwata
Jesse Obremski
Joan Bradford
John Maria Gutierrez
Katherine De La Cruz
Kimberleigh Costanzo
Leila Mire
Maya Simone Z
Stephanie Rivas
Veronica Jiao
2019–2020
Danielle Iwata, Co-Chair
Kimberleigh Costanzo, Co-Chair
Kelsey Kramer, Operations Coordinator
Loren Sass, Communications Coordinator
Ami Scherson
Anna McDunn
Brittany Wilson
Debbie Mausner
Jenée-Daria Strand
Joy Douglas
Linda Ryan
Maya Simone Z.
Nadia Khayrallah
Rebecca Fitton, Secretary
Veronica Jiao
2018–2019
Brittany Wilson
Camille Moten, Vice-Chair
Danielle Iwata, Committee Coordinator
Kelsey Kramer
Kimberleigh Costanzo
Lauren Wingenroth, Chair
Lindsey Silvera
Loren Sass
Lydia Lee
Nadia Khayrallah, Communications Coordinator
Rebecca Fitton
Ryan Rockmore
Susana Toro
Will Noling, Secretary
2017–2018
Niya Nicholson, Co-Chair
Kim Savarino, Co-Chair
Margaret Tudor, Secretary
Tina Hsiao-Tung Huang, Committee Operations
Nadia Khayrallah, Co- Communications Coordinator
Collin Ranf, Co- Communications Coordinator
Nora Alami
Lillian Altreuter
Katy Dammers
Cecila Lynn-Jacobs
Will Noling
Sherylynn Sealy
Lauren Wingenroth
2016–2017
Donald Borror, Chair
Kim Savarino, Vice Chair
Tara Sheena, Secretary
Oceane Hooks-Camilleri, Committee Operations
Katherine Bergstrom, Co- Communications Coordinator
Samuel Householder, Co- Communications Coordinator
Evvie Allison
Amy Campbell
Brendan Drake
Amanda Hameline
Henry Holmes (ry)
Tina Hsiao-Tung Huang
Cecilia Lynn-Jacobs
Kate Ladenheim
Niya Nicholson
Alexandra Pinel
Ella Rosewood
Eli Tamondong
Margaret Tudor
Rachel Russell
2015–2016
Amanda Hameline, Co-Chair
Eli Tamondong, Co-Chair
Nehemoyia Young, Treasurer
Donald Borror, Secretary
Kate Ladenheim, Co-Communications Coordinator
Ashley Richard, Co-Communications Coordinator
Jessica Abejar
Katherine Bergstrom
Amy Campbell
Caryn Cooper
Oceane Hooks-Camilleri
Samuel Householder
Tina Hsiao-Tung Huang
Sarah McCafferty
Alexandra Pinel
Jen Roit
Kim Savarino
Tara Sheena
Alexander Thompson
Margaret Tudor
Ricarrdo Valentine
2014–2015
Alexander Thompson, Chair
Sydnie Mosley, Vice Chair
Brighid Greene, Secretary
Nehemoyia Young, Treasurer
Alexandra Pinel, Communications Coordinator
Jessica Abejar
Ariel Asch
Michele Kumi Baer
Hollis Bartlett
Amanda Hameline
Madison Krekel
Steph Lee
Sydnie Liggett
James Murray
Alex Rodabaugh
Ella Rosewood
Ali Rosa Salas
Raina Sutton
Eli Tamondong
Ricarrdo Valentine
2013–2014
Hollis Bartlett, Chair
Alexander Thompson, Vice Chair
Erica Frankel, Secretary
Denae Hannah, Treasurer
Alexandra Pinel, Communications Coordinator Michele Kumi Baer
Michele Kumi Baer
Mariana Castaneda Lopez
Virginia Cromwell
Elmes Gomez
Brighid Greene
Charles Gushue
John Hoobyar
Alejandra E. Iannone
Sydnie L. Mosley
Yasemin Ozurmerzifon
Kaley Pruitt
Mercedes Searer
Raina Sutton
Ling Tang
Nehemoyia Young
2012–2013
Leeanne G-Bowley, Chair
Hollis Bartlett, Vice Chair
Kaley Pruitt, Secretary
Brighid Greene, Treasurer
Marisa Ballaro
Virginia Cromwell
Erica Frankel
Denae Hannah
John Hoobyar
Alejandra Iannone
Amy Jacobus
Maggie Lockhart
Sydnie Mosley
William Penrose
Gary Schaufeld
Mercedes Searer
Alexandra Pinel
Alexander Thompson
2011–2012
Justina Gaddy, Co-Chair
Bennn Rasmussen, Co-Chair
Lori Byargeon, Vice Chair
Caroline Walthall, Secretary
Hollis Bartlett, Treasurer
Kathleya Afanador
Marisa Ballaro
Eveline Chang
Erica Frankel
Leeanne M. G-Bowley
Brighid Greene
Maria Hanley
Sydnie Mosley
Jessica Nowaski
Kaley Pruitt
Kaylen Ratto
Nicole Savery
Gary Schaufeld
Kate Wilfert
Michele Wilson
Caitlin Yuhas
2010–2011
Irfana Jetha, Chair
Marisa Ballaro, Vice Chair
Michele Wilson, Secretary
Hollis Bartlett, Treasurer
Nicole Savery, JComm Journal Online Editor
Caitlin Yuhas, JComm Journal Online Editor
Yasmeen Allen
Lori Byargeon
Eveline Chang
Erica Frankel
Justina Gaddy
Ximena Garnica
Maria Hanley
Julia Kelly
Benn Rasmussen
Kaylen Ratto
Meredith B. Robbins
Caroline Walthall
Adrienne Westwood
2009–2010
Julia Kelly, Chair
Eileen Farrell, Vice-Chair
Justina Gaddy, YAC Journal Online Editor
Marisa Ballaro
Adrienne Bryant
Lori Byargeon
Colleen Cashman
Eveline Chang
Mollie Fox
Ximena Garnica
Ani Javian
Irfana Jetha
Elizabeth Jones
Brittany Fridenstine-Keefe
David Sadowsky
Lauri Taylor
Adrienne Westwood
2008–2009
Elizabeth Jones, Chair
Marisa Ballaro
Adrienne Bryant
Colleen Cashman
Loren Davidson
Eileen Farrell
Mollie Fox
Justina Gaddy
Ximena Garnica
Ani Javian
Julia Kelly
Michela Marino Lerman
Julie Potter
Christina Rinaldi
David Sadowsky
Adrienne Westwood
Emma Zurer
2007–2008: the pilot year
Jonny Bateman
Michelle Brugal
Rebecca Chaleff
Duke Dang
Eileen Farrell
Mollie Fox
Julia Kelly
Denise Lirano
Betsy Miller
Elizabeth Schulman
Rebecca Warner
