Jesse Schmitz-Boyd, is Holly’s Centre Stage Dance’s Turns & Leaps and ContemporaryTeacher. He is a teacher, choreographer and performer, and presently lives in Minneapolis. Jesse began dancing and choreographing at the age of 14 when he joined his high school’s modern dance company, MoMoCo. He then went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point with a Bachelor’s degree in Dance. At UWSP, Jesse studied under Professor Joan Karlen, Re|Dance Group’s co-founder, Michael Estanich and Jump Rhythm Jazz Project’s associate artistic director, Jeannie Hill. During this time, Jesse was fortunate to dance featured roles in Susan Marshall & Company’s Other Stories and Billy Siegenfeld’s god of dirt. He also choreographed several dances, including his dance-theater work Glass Houses, in Eleven Sections, which was presented at the American College Dance Festival’s regional conference’s adjudication concert, where it received praise from panels and audiences.
Upon graduation, Jesse went on tour with the Chicago-based RE|Dance Group performing in the Chicago and Minnesota Fringe Festivals. Currently, Jesse is an apprentice with Zenon Dance Company, a jazz and modern dance performance group in Minneapolis.
With five years of teaching experience in many techniques, Jesse’s classes are high energy and fun while maintaining an emphasis on technique, bodily awareness, performance quality and a masterful mind. Jesse takes class several times a week to further his own understanding of the body and the art of dance so he can share that understanding with his students.
In his free time, Jesse enjoys science fiction television, gummy worms and bowling.