Lyrical/Jazz, Contemporary, Yoga, Social Dance

Jessica Torres is an educator, choreographer, dancer, director, actor, and humorist. She received her MFA in Dance from UC Irvine, her Masters in Education at UOP, her BA at Loyola Marymount University, her yoga certification under Srivatsa Ramaswami, and her meditation certification with Ascension Academy of Light. Currently, Jess is Ad- junct Faculty at Chapman University and Long Beach City College. She is also a master teacher at the School of Dance and Music, and directs her contemporary company, JESS HARPER & DANCERS. She has taught and choreographed at LMU, where she was a Senior Lecturer, as well as created works and taught at Chapman, LBCC, CSU- LA, UCI, AMDA, ACDA, Huntington Beach High School, many festivals, along with in- ternational master classes. Her passion is bridging the gap for students, pre profession- als into professionals. She has had the pleasure to give many opportunities for students to perform and teach in the professional environment, and is in constant advocacy for students’ autonomy. Jessi danced and choreographed professionally for METHOD, KAIROS, TONGUE, MULTIPLEX, and EARTH WIND & FIRE, to name a few. She re- ceived Lester Horton Awards for Outstanding Performance in a Company with TONGUE & METHOD, and has been nominated for Best Female Artist while dancing with METHOD. Her best creations are her two daughters. Jess continues her passion for education in becoming a certified Classical Pilates instructor. She feels blessed to live creatively, always with a sense of humor.