Jessica Denson is a DC-based, inter-disciplinary performing artist, arts administrator, and educator. Jessica received her B.A. in Dance from the University of Maryland, College Park, and her M.F.A. in Dance from The George Washington University (2017 Maida Withers Impact Award). From her graduate research, she created and co-developed the workshop, State:Trait - Supporting Compassion for Mental Health through Community-Based Somatic & Movement Explorations, with Shatiea Blount (LCSW-C, LICSW, CPC) which was presented at Loyola University Maryland’s "Shades of Resilience: Mental Health in Communities of Color Conference (2018)," twice at the DC Coalition for the Homeless, and Hillcrest Children and Family Center. Further research experience includes the "Survey of Dance Artists in Knight Cities” which she co-authored with Mina Matlon for Dance/USA and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in 2017.
In addition to her work with Dance/USA, she is also a company member of Contradiction Dance Theatre and local Fieldwork facilitator. She ran FOH/BOH as house manager at Blues Alley Jazz for 10 years. Guest performance and design experience: MK Abadoo, HollyBass360, darlingdance, designer/performace artist Nick Cave, Lesole’s Dance Project, and various other projects. She credits her first dance school and teacher, Alison Miller of the Ballet Academy, for inspiring her lifelong commitment to dance.
