About: the site and the author

Jess at age 8

Bodies Never Lie began as a writing practice on dance history, education, and its role both on and off the stage.  It is currently a place to find information on the on-goings of the dance world- universally and in St. Louis, as well as other art forms that I find delightful- literature and poetry, visual arts, and fashion. There is (in my opinion) a lack of journalism that is both informative and entertaining surrounding the arts. And we all know how the arts are underappreciated and misunderstood. Just ask any emo boy band.

A little about the author: Jess is first and foremost a lover of dance, particularly classical ballet. She comes from an artistic family that luckily supported her arts education from the age of three when she began ballet in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. She trained predominantly at Alexandra School of Ballet during the school year and spent summers with Pennsylvania Ballet, White Mountain Summer Dance Festival, Ballet Austin, and Boston Ballet- to name a few. She was selected from Ms. A’s as the representative of the company for the Regional Dance America Midwest conference honors company which led to her first trip to Interlochen Arts Academy, the first Arts Boarding School in the Country. Choreography was set on the honors company by Sharon Randolph, the then-director of the Dance Department at the school. Jess then applied and was admitted on scholarship for the following school year. Life went for a turn that summer (2001) while studying with Boston Ballet and Jess discovered she was type one diabetic. The first thing she remembers doctors saying is ‘you might have to find a different hobby’.

The wonders of science have allowed Jess to pursue her dreams, training and performing with companies and schools across the globe- St. Petersburg, Russia, Canada, New Jersey, Kentucky, and New York. She has been privileged to study with companies such as Parsons Dance Company, Pilobolus, Alvin Ailey, Giordano Jazz Company, and with Laura Glenn from the Juilliard School. Jess earned a BA in Dance Pedagogy from Butler University in 2008.

Hobbies do NOT include: gardening (hate it!) technology (don’t understand it) and cooking (burn it). She does like: to draw, paint, write, read, and people watch. Her favorite color is green- the shade of envy (of which she has plenty) and money (of which she has little) and her least favorite word is ‘scrutiny’. She could never choose a favorite it’s too much of a Sophie’s choice (but it also isn’t ‘too’, given everyone’s propensity to misspell it).

Thank you very much for visiting the site. I am open to guest writing or promoting worthy causes on my own site. If you would like to request further information or would like to hear about volunteer/work opportunities in Jess’ choreography, please get in touch with me at copelia12(at)sbcglobal.net

Good Health and Happiness to All!