KEITH SAUNDERS Keith Saunders, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, began dancing in 1971 while a student at Harvard University. He began his ballet training in 1973 at the National Center for Afro-American Artists in Massachusetts. Mr. Saunders joined Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1975 and continued his development under the tutelage of Arthur Mitchell, Karel Shook and William Griffith. He became a principal dancer with DTH and performed a wide range of roles throughout the company’s repertoire for more than 17 years. He also danced with France's Ballet du Nord (1986) and BalletMet of Columbus, Ohio (1987-1989). He has been a faculty member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem School, the BalletMet Dance Academy (where he also served as Education Director in 1988-‘89), the New Ballet School (now Ballet Tech), and the 92nd Street Y. Keith Saunders was appointed Dance Theatre of Harlem's assistant ballet master in 1994 and ballet master in 1996. Since 2004, Mr. Saunders has served as Director of both Dancing Through Barriers®, Dance Theatre of Harlem's national and international education and outreach initiative, and Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble.
JESSICA WILT Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Jessica Wilt began dancing at the age of five and hasn't shaken off the urge to move since! She holds a BA in Modern Dance with Dance Education emphasis from the University of South Florida, a MFA in Choreography from The Ohio State University and is a certified Pilates instructor. Ms. Wilt has taught dance in K-12 public and private school settings, at colleges and universities including Ohio State, Kenyon College, University of Tampa and Hillsborough Community College and studio teaching at BalletMet Dance Academy among many others. A well respected dancer, choreographer, educator and arts administrator, Ms. Wilt most recently worked as Director of Education for Manhattan New Music Project and previously as Office Manager for Career Transition for Dancers. |
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