Master Classes

Jon Lehrer (Sun Feb 10, 1:00-2:30pm) who was raised in Queens, NY, took his very first dance class at age 19 on a dare. While attending the University at Buffalo, Jon began dating a dancer and, after teasing her about how easy it was to get an A in a dance class, she dared him to take a beginning level modern class. Jon took the class, got an A, and knew he had found his true calling in life. Jon continued his training at the University at Buffalo, and two years later was asked to join the universities highly acclaimed Zodiaque Dance Company. In the summer of 1994, Jon received a scholarship to study at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, training with such esteemed faculty as Carolyn Adams, Danny Buraczeski, Gail Gilbert, Margie Gillis, Danny Grossman, and Mark Morris.

Jon acquired his first professional opportunity as a company member with the John Passafiume Dancers in NYC. John Passafiume was a principle dancer with Anna Sokolow and Paul Sanasardo. In September 1995, Jon was hired by the internationally acclaimed Erick Hawkins Dance Company and for the next year toured the world with one of the most influential artists of modern dance. Looking for a change, Jon took a job dancing in Merv Griffin’s “Funderful” at Resorts Casino/Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ.

After 6 months performing in this Vegas-style show, Jon wanted to get back into concert dance. He sent in an audition tape to Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago on a Thursday and was hired into the company on Saturday. After only three years with the world’s foremost jazz dance company, Jon was promoted to Rehearsal Director, and two years later was given the job of Associate Director. After 10 years of performing with GJDC, Jon focused on his position as Associate Director, working side by side with Artistic Director Nan Giordano and Executive Director Ben Hodge. Among his duties as Associate Director, Jon acted as Tour Manager and was the company’s resident choreographer having created seven original works for GJDC that received rave reviews all around the world.

In addition to his works on GJDC, Jon has choreographed for several dance companies in Chicago and around the world including; Thodos Dance Chicago, Instruments of Movement, Momenta Dance Theatre, Le Jazz Groupe from Monterrey, Mexico, and Kannon Dance of St. Petersburg, Russia. Jon has also set his choreography on many University dance companies including the University at Buffalo, University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of Nevada Reno, East Central University, and Northern Illinois University. In 2002 Jon was one of four Chicago choreographers selected to participate in the first ever Dance Chicago Choreography Project, sponsored by the Chicago Community Trust and Sara Lee; and was selected to participate again in 2004. Through the Project, Jon set an original work on dancers from the Joffrey Ballet, and on Thodos Dance Chicago.

Jon continues to teach master classes throughout the U.S. and around the world, is on the faculty of the Jazz Dance World Congress, Dance Masters of America, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Chicago Dance Connection, and is a guest artist at numerous colleges around the country. In 2000, Jon was one of four choreographers and teachers invited to the Jazz Dance Festival/New Generation in Ekaterinburg, Russia. In 2003 Jon had the honor of receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University at Buffalo’s Zodiaque Dance Company for his accomplishments as a dancer and choreographer. Jon is on the Advisory Board of Dance Spirit Magazine and was featured on the November 2007 cover of Dance Teacher Magazine.

In July 2007, Jon Lehrer officially began his exciting new dance company, LehrerDance. Five years in the making, LehrerDance showcases Jon’s unique choreography, enabling him to cultivate and continue creating a definitive and original style. Jon’s extensive experience in both the modern and jazz dance idioms allows him to create dances that are organic, artistic, accessible, often humorous, and always inspired by life experience and the human condition.

Jennifer Huffman (Sat. Feb 9, 12:30-2:00pm) is from the small town of Fetus, Missouri. She attended Webster University in St. Louis where she received a B.F.A in dance and was awarded the Edward Chase Garvey Memorial Scholarship, for three consecutive years. While at Webster, she performed with the Webster University Dance Theatre and choreographed and taught at Motion Express Dance Studio. As a professional, Jennifer has performed with such distinguished groups as David Dorfman’s Dance Out of Seasons, Les Grands Ballet Canadiens de Montreal’s The Nutcracker, The Slaughter Project, Paul Taylor 2 in Esplanade, Move directed by Tanya Shea and Natasha Jansen, Dance St. Louis, and was an apprentice with Inaside Chicago Dance Company for one season. Jennifer loves living in Buffalo, NY and is excited to be a company member of LehrerDance.

Marideth Wanat (Sat. Feb 9, 12:30-2:00pm) is originally from Harrisburg, PA. She received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Spanish from Illinois State University, where she was a member and featured performer of the Illinois State Dance Theatre, directed by Laurie Merriman. Marideth began her professional career as dancer for Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago’s Giordano II company. After two seasons as a Giordano II, Marideth continued her career by performing in Thodos Dance Chicago’s “New Dances”. Soon after, she accepted a performing apprentice position with Inaside Chicago Dance for one season. In addition to her company experience, Ms. Wanat has also performed professionally in Dancenter North’s production of the “Nutcracker” and “Cinderella”. She has expressed her passion off the stage as well by teaching jazz and ballet throughout the Chicagoland area. Marideth is a founding company member, and Rehearsal Director, of LehrerDance, and is proud to be spreading the innovative style of LehrerDance to audiences and students around the world.

CLASS LOCATION:
Centene Center for Arts & Education, 3547 Olive St. 3rd Floor
(2nd building East of Grand. 1 block South of the Fox Theater)
See Map and Parking Info

Cost: $10 Individual Classes
$32 for 4 classes
$42 6 for classes
Yoga Warm-up is Free with Class or $5 drop in