Meet Jessica Joyce

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jessica Joyce a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I keep my creativity alive by coming up with new choreography, costume ideas and settings for ballet productions I direct and classes I teach. I do my best to change it up by switching between classical and contemporary and holding classes, rehearsals and performances at different locations. I also work with many different types of artists and musicians. I try to have the versatility to work with all different genres of music.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a professional ballerina with over 3 decades of training and experience in a variety of dance styles. I currently have my own company called Charmagne Ballet Company. We do about 3-4 productions a year, including classical like Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and Coppelia as well as contemporaries such as a military themed ballet we put together for Memorial Day called “Dave’s Last Dance.” I also have a side job where I twist balloons for children’s parties and cosplay as different Disney characters.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I think that ballet, balloon twisting and being a certified Pilates instructor have probably been the 3 most impactful skills in my journey. My advice to those who aspire to be professional dancers is to seek the balance between having solid traditional technical training while at the same time developing unique qualities that make you stand out as you. Also know that joining companies is not your only option. There are many ways to seek out work independently that are just as much if not more fulfilling to your career.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes, I am looking to hire more ballet dancers and other performers to join my company for upcoming shows. Other outside skills I’m looking for in potential employees and contractors include aerial and gymnastics, contortion, acting, and martial arts skills. Those interested in connecting or auditioning are welcome to get a hold of me via call, text or email: (415)336-7105 JShinn411@yahoo.com

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Jessica Joyce (me), Didem Somel, Rachel Levin, Shannon Slevin, Dorothy Thorsteinson

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