Janelle Gilchrist's passion for dance is evident in the various roles she has assumed in her professional career including dancer, teacher, choreographer, and community organizer. Originally from Stoneham, MA Janelle developed her skills and expertise through studies at Harriet Hoctor Ballet School, Boston Ballet School, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre, Broadway Theater Project, Concord Academy, Dance Theater of Harlem, and the Hartt School in Connecticut where she earned a BFA in Dance. Ms. Gilchrist's training led to roles as a company and/or lead dancer at the Hartford Ballet, the New Jersey Ballet, and Boston's BalletRox where she made her debut as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the "Urban Nutcracker."
Outside of ballet, Janelle showcased her versatility in other dance forms with Legends in Concert, Celebrity Cruises, Anna Myer, David Parker, and Island Moving Company. Ms.Gilchrist served as choreographer and casting director of two flash mob performances for Media Direct Productions in Boston and Las Vegas. She was on the staff at Moses Brown School in Providence, RI where she taught dance and choreographed such musicals as "Hello Dolly," "The Music Man," and "Cabaret." to her dance credits, Janelle added appearances in small roles in several major movie productions, including "27 Dresses" produced by 20th Century Fox and "What’s your Number" produced by Contrafilms. Currently, Janelle keeps a very busy schedule dancing, teaching, choreographing, and organizing. She is a company dancer at Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre, director of in-school programming for BalletRox, Boston and co-manages "BalletRox Dance!" where she is a beloved teacher and mentor. She is actively involved in BalletRox community education programs and oversees the training of dance teachers and execution of the dance program at two Boston Public School partner sites. She also teaches ballet at Tony Williams Dance Center and Step by Step in Waltham MA. In the summer, Janelle teaches for Boston University’s Reach program, a dance intensive/service program for teens. In addition to her professional pursuits, Janelle is a local choreographer, and a champion for the local dance community, working tirelessly to elevate dance appreciation and support for the arts. |