-FACULTY-
Jonathan E. Alsberry is an educator, creator and coach focused on inspiring excellence and joy with a constant dedication to the exploration of artistry and the creative process. Currently the Sr. Rehearsal Director & Director of Summer Intensives at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Jonathan, aka Jojo, received his BFA from The Juilliard School where he was first introduced to Aszure Barton and Lar Lubovitch. After graduation he joined Aszure Barton & Artists and the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company and remains a performer, stager and teaching artist for both companies. Since 2007 he’s been coaching and creating work at various institutions including Arts Umbrella, The Juilliard School, Springboard Danse Montreal, University of Southern California and The School at Jacob's Pillow.
PHOTO CREDIT: MICHELLE NOVAK
Peter Chu is a distinguished artist who strives to push the physical bounds of dance. He began his training as a competitive gymnast, later nurturing his artistry at Dussich Dance Studio where his evolution into dance began. As a BFA student at The Juilliard School (under the direction of Benjamin Harkarvy), Chu was pushed further as a technical mover and began an explosive journey into choreography. Upon graduation, he was awarded the Hector Zaraspe Prize for Choreography.
Chu is a remarkable and multi-faceted artist. As a performer, he has danced with BJM _Danse and EZdanza, as the lead in Christina Perri’s Jar of Hearts music video, in Celine Dion’s Vegas spectacular A New Day, and with Crystal Pite’s company Kidd Pivot.
In 2008, Chu formed a Las Vegas project-based company—chuthis. His multi-disciplinary dance company combines innovative lighting and sound with live contemporary movement. In 2018, chuthis. presented paper cuts in an empty bag at Zuiderstrandtheater in The Hague, Netherlands, as a part of the Shortcuts XL program, and was the company in residence at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp. A part of the mission of chuthis. is to provide movement education programs for the next generation of artists. Through the chuthis. Movement Intensive, an annual summer event, and chuthis. Moves, a 2-3 day custom workshop for both national and international dance schools, the chuthis. team fosters technical/artistic development and mind/body familiarity while igniting an adventurous side of dance.
Chu has been an honoured recipient of choreographic awards & commissions, including the Hector Zaraspe Prize, A.C.E. Capezio Award, & Hubbard Street Dance International Commission Project. He was also named a Blodgett Distinguished Artist by Harvard University for 2018. Additionally, Chu has served as the Rehearsal Director for Nederlands Dans Theater 2, and as a Guest Rehearsal Director for NDT1.
Chu has created works for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Staatstheater Augsburg, Germany, Gibney Dance Company, Charlotte Ballet, Cirque du Soleil, Charlotte Ballet II, Orlando Ballet Theatre, Hubbard Street 2, Giordano Dance Chicago, So You Think You Can Dance, Naomi Stikeman’s Çaturn, Houston MET Dance, New Dialect, SALT Contemporary Dance, The Juilliard School, Harvard University, Point Park University, Nederlands Dans Theater Summer Intensive, Springboard Danse Montreal, SUNY Purchase, Western Michigan University, & Brigham Young University Contemporary Dance Theatre, among others. Teaching highlights include Harvard University (Guest Lecturer), HSPro, Springboard X | shift perspective, Axis Connect, Hubbard Street Studio Series, The Dance Teacher Summit, and Movement Invention Project.
Most recently, Chu created an evening length work for Staatstheater Augsburg, Germany entitled Left Behind (you) Right. In 2022, Chu will premiere creations for Paul Taylor Dance Company and his own company, chuthis.
Co-Creator of Open Doors North America.
Chu is a remarkable and multi-faceted artist. As a performer, he has danced with BJM _Danse and EZdanza, as the lead in Christina Perri’s Jar of Hearts music video, in Celine Dion’s Vegas spectacular A New Day, and with Crystal Pite’s company Kidd Pivot.
In 2008, Chu formed a Las Vegas project-based company—chuthis. His multi-disciplinary dance company combines innovative lighting and sound with live contemporary movement. In 2018, chuthis. presented paper cuts in an empty bag at Zuiderstrandtheater in The Hague, Netherlands, as a part of the Shortcuts XL program, and was the company in residence at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp. A part of the mission of chuthis. is to provide movement education programs for the next generation of artists. Through the chuthis. Movement Intensive, an annual summer event, and chuthis. Moves, a 2-3 day custom workshop for both national and international dance schools, the chuthis. team fosters technical/artistic development and mind/body familiarity while igniting an adventurous side of dance.
Chu has been an honoured recipient of choreographic awards & commissions, including the Hector Zaraspe Prize, A.C.E. Capezio Award, & Hubbard Street Dance International Commission Project. He was also named a Blodgett Distinguished Artist by Harvard University for 2018. Additionally, Chu has served as the Rehearsal Director for Nederlands Dans Theater 2, and as a Guest Rehearsal Director for NDT1.
Chu has created works for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Staatstheater Augsburg, Germany, Gibney Dance Company, Charlotte Ballet, Cirque du Soleil, Charlotte Ballet II, Orlando Ballet Theatre, Hubbard Street 2, Giordano Dance Chicago, So You Think You Can Dance, Naomi Stikeman’s Çaturn, Houston MET Dance, New Dialect, SALT Contemporary Dance, The Juilliard School, Harvard University, Point Park University, Nederlands Dans Theater Summer Intensive, Springboard Danse Montreal, SUNY Purchase, Western Michigan University, & Brigham Young University Contemporary Dance Theatre, among others. Teaching highlights include Harvard University (Guest Lecturer), HSPro, Springboard X | shift perspective, Axis Connect, Hubbard Street Studio Series, The Dance Teacher Summit, and Movement Invention Project.
Most recently, Chu created an evening length work for Staatstheater Augsburg, Germany entitled Left Behind (you) Right. In 2022, Chu will premiere creations for Paul Taylor Dance Company and his own company, chuthis.
Co-Creator of Open Doors North America.
PHOTO CREDIT: LAUREN BERTHELOT
Jenni Gordon, a freelance movement artist and educator, received a BFA in Dance, Magna Cum Laude, from the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College. During her time at Purchase, she also studied at London Contemporary Dance School, where she performed the work of Merce Cunningham. A Houston native, Jenni graduated from the High School for the Performing & Visual Arts and trained at Rowland School of Ballet in Kingwood, Texas. Jenni is honored to have been a member of chuthis., a contemporary dance company under the direction of choreographer Peter Chu, from the beginning. She also stages Peter’s work throughout the country, most recently on Houston Contemporary Dance Company, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, SALT Contemporary Dance Company, Marymount Manhattan College, and University of Utah, among others. Jenni also serves as an assistant and rehearsal director for many of Chu’s teaching and choreographic endeavors. Jenni is also very passionate about movement education; she serves as the Education Program Director for chuthis., and travels throughout the country as a guest educator. In 2020, Jenni became a certified teacher of IMAGE TECH for Dancers™, a weightbearing somatic practice created by Alexandra Wells. Teaching highlights include SpringboardX | shift perspective, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, RDA’s National Choreography Intensive, & MIP2. Jenni lives in Austin, TX with her family.
PHOTO CREDIT: MARCUS ERIKSSON
Gilbert T Small II, Gibney Company Director, formally began his training at the Baltimore School for the Arts. He received his BFA from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance in 2009. While at Purchase, he studied abroad at Codarts in Rotterdam, an opportunity that shifted his perspective, pushing him to investigate and explore the multifaceted nature of the art form.
Small was a leading artist with the internationally acclaimed Ballet British Columbia under the leadership of Emily Molnar. During his ten years with the company, he worked with choreographers such as William Forsythe, Crystal Pite, Medhi Walerski, Emily Molnar, and Cayetano Soto to name a few. As a senior artist with Ballet BC, he was asked to take on the role of Rehearsal Director for the company’s fall 2017 season. Small is a mentor to many emerging artists here and abroad and serves as guest faculty for institutions internationally, cultivating relationships and connections across many demographics and communities.
Small was a leading artist with the internationally acclaimed Ballet British Columbia under the leadership of Emily Molnar. During his ten years with the company, he worked with choreographers such as William Forsythe, Crystal Pite, Medhi Walerski, Emily Molnar, and Cayetano Soto to name a few. As a senior artist with Ballet BC, he was asked to take on the role of Rehearsal Director for the company’s fall 2017 season. Small is a mentor to many emerging artists here and abroad and serves as guest faculty for institutions internationally, cultivating relationships and connections across many demographics and communities.
Alexandra Wells, Gibney Company Advisor & Senior Director of Education developed GibneyPRO, a Professional Certificate Program unique to Gibney. She is also the founder and Artistic Director of Springboard Danse Montréal and the Creator of IMAGE TECH for Dancers™. From 2017-2020 served as the Director of Artist Training at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Under her direction, Hubbard Street Professional Program (HS Pro) responded to the needs of dancers entering the current job market. By curating relevant methodologies, techniques, and mentors, HS Pro connected emerging artists to leaders in the field who empowered them to become advocates within an evolving landscape.
Alexandra is a mentor to many emerging and established artists in the field. Additionally, she serves on the Artistic Advisory Council for MOVE|NYC|, and is the Artist Curator and an Honorary Board Member of The Legacy Project – celebrating the work of the iconic Canadian artist and choreographer Margie Gillis.
Alexandra was a full-time faculty member and rehearsal director at The Juilliard School for 18 years. She was also the Concept & Artistic Director of the Movement Invention Project from its inception through 2017. She was on faculty at SUNY Purchase College, served as the Interim Director of l’École Supérieure de Danse du Québec, and was the Rehearsal Director for Ballet Hispanico following a long international performance career. As Principal dancer of the Ballet National de Nancy, Ms. Wells toured the world and formed lasting partnerships with the late Rudolf Nureyev and Patrick Dupont.
Co-Creator of Open Doors North America.
Alexandra is a mentor to many emerging and established artists in the field. Additionally, she serves on the Artistic Advisory Council for MOVE|NYC|, and is the Artist Curator and an Honorary Board Member of The Legacy Project – celebrating the work of the iconic Canadian artist and choreographer Margie Gillis.
Alexandra was a full-time faculty member and rehearsal director at The Juilliard School for 18 years. She was also the Concept & Artistic Director of the Movement Invention Project from its inception through 2017. She was on faculty at SUNY Purchase College, served as the Interim Director of l’École Supérieure de Danse du Québec, and was the Rehearsal Director for Ballet Hispanico following a long international performance career. As Principal dancer of the Ballet National de Nancy, Ms. Wells toured the world and formed lasting partnerships with the late Rudolf Nureyev and Patrick Dupont.
Co-Creator of Open Doors North America.