Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Kelley.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jessica. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
From movement inside the womb to performing on-stage in my life today, I have always been a dancer. I was born in San Diego and have remained loyal to the city’s arts and dance community since I began studying dance in Elementary School. In kindergarten, I joined Heartlight Aerobics and Dance, which I now have the pleasure of teaching for. I also studied Tap and Jazz at the Serra Mesa Recreation Center at the age of five. This is when I discovered my true love of dance and performance.
I grew up being raised by a strong, supportive and loving single mother. Due to health complications, my mother was put on disability, meaning she was unable to work. We struggled to afford living expenses, but we never let it stop me from dancing. Thanks to non-profit organizations I was given the opportunity to progress.
At 12, I attended the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, I was blessed enough to consistently be rewarded a full dance scholarship to learn ballet and discovered a physically natural comfort in the art. If it wasn’t for these non-profit programs my dreams would have never become a reality. I feel so fortunate to have had the support and nurture I needed as a developing artist. I remained as close to dance as possible by attending a middle school and high school specifically designed for educating the arts: Creative and Performing Media Arts Middle School (CPMA) and San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts(SDSCPA). During my time in these institutions, I was trained by Sarah Dickman (CPMA), Cynthia Moralis(SCPA), Erin Fetters(SCPA) and Sandra Fosterking (SCPA). Thanks to SCPA’s faculty connections my peers and I were able to study and perform works by Christopher Huggins, Donald Mckayle, José Limón, Fred Benjamin and more, pioneers in the modern dance community. I gained so much valuable experience in my high school years, the maturity and challenge of the choreography truly prepared me for my path as a professional entertainer.
In my junior year, during the rehearsals of one of the most difficult and inspiring shows of my life, I fractured my tibia. I pressed on, continuing to train and perform despite the pain. I endured this injury for eight months, I even performed the Principal roll in Nutcracker as the Sugar Plum Fairy before taking care of the problem. This unfortunately, led me to be in a cast for a good portion of my senior year, a major disappointment to say the least. Again, I didn’t let this stop me, I nurtured my injury, continued to strengthen my body and started dancing as soon as my cast was off. I have to admit, being injured is one of the most depressing times for anybody but especially a dancer/athlete, a lot of self-doubts clouded my mind but I learned to channel the negative energy into motivation, driving me to be better and never give up.
Following graduation from SDSCPA, I attended Idyllwild Arts Academy for a post-graduate year, making up for the training I missed while injured. I gained great experience there and returned to San Diego to earn my Associate’s Degree in Dance from San Diego Mesa College while undertaking an apprenticeship with The Peter G. Kalivas Dance Project. As of 2016, I have been a company member of The PGK Dance Project.
My lifelong goal has been to dance for a company with a strong mission statement, to constantly perform and be compensated for hard work in the field. On top of all of that, I absolutely love and adore the other dancers in the company, my dance family.
Currently, I train at Malashock Dance, San Diego Ballet and with The PGK Dance Project. In my spare time, I occupy myself with Pilates and Barre classes to stay physically fit for dance.
I work many jobs across San Diego County, as a dance instructor and choreographer for: Heartbeat Academy of Music, Xingjian Dance Studio, UCSD Rec program, The Dance House, Dance and Company, Heartlight Dance and Aerobics and for The PGK Dance Project outreach programs.
I primarily focus on the styles of: Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Contemporary, House dancing, and Burlesque.
Currently, I am considered a freelance artist, I model for different art medias, I dance for ThePGKProject, Continuum dance, Jacob Soble dance, Niara dance and I have the honor of being a guest artist in Litvak dance’s upcoming shows. I have also recently been hired for Living World Entertainment, I will be a dancer, living statue and will learn to walk on stilts for a living vine act!
I love my life as an entertainer, I’m proud to say the I solely make a living by my many crafts.
I’m also excited to announce that I got married to the man of my dreams Max Demos Engelhardt on November 10th, 2018 in the most unconventional and exciting way! Near the end of The PGK Project’s show IMMERSE at the Balboa Park Club, we surprised the audience with a wedding! Our theatrical friend was planted in the audience, he interrupted the show with a monologue about love, my company’s dancers including my director were the bride’s maids and groomsmen. My husband and I walked out, said our vows, did a romantic and funny dance to live music and closed the show with the most epic finale, leaving the crowd stunned.
I’m truly living my dream and I’m so happy to share my story with you all.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Maintaining an income competitive enough to survive as an artist and performer in a high-cost city of the country. The hustle is real, working 10 different jobs just to make ends meet.
Perpetual injury-recovery cycle made better with wisdom and preparation. After a few major injuries, I finally learned how to listen and care for my body. I now resort to massage, Chinese medicine- acupuncture and cupping when I know something isn’t feeling right. I strongly advocate for self-care and taking time off when needed, an injury can cure its self in just a day or two if you give it the break it needs. Ignoring the problem is never the answer.
Knowing when to say “no.” I think this might be the BIGGEST issue I share with my fellow artists. We want to be busy, we want to do it all, we want to make money, we want to do things just to say we did them but this is how we burn ourselves out. I’ve seen it with myself and my friends. We go-go-go without ever taking a breath or a moment for ourselves. This leads to being stressed, making it impossible to be our best selves. So, you have to pick and choose, you have to put yourself first. Ask the question: Will I grow from this experience, is it really worth the time and energy? If “yes” then go for it! If any doubt or red flags come up, don’t do it! I’m still working on this skill myself but saying no is harder than it seems.
Studying from positive role-models and constantly seeking self-improvement. I plan to always grow, learn and challenge myself in new ways. Dancers are so freaking talented nowadays it’s easy to be hard on myself and wants to just quit but the truth is, dance is my life and I will NEVER give it up!
So, I must trust my instincts and not second-guess any artistic decisions.
Please tell us about The PGK Dance Project – what should we know?
The PGK Dance project is a non-profit institution in San Diego devoted to bringing the art of dance and music to people regardless of location, income or status. The organization was founded by Peter Kalivas a master in the field of arts. The mission statement of the company is to dance in unconventional venues so that many different audiences can attend. We specialize in making dance fun, engaging and public-friendly. We are known for contemporary styles, hosting many different peoples’ styles and choreographies. PGK is the premiere contemporary company of San Diego, and I have been lucky enough to perform in venues such as: Churches, parks, schools, stages, art exhibits, art installations, libraries, the public transportation system and more.
I am most proud of the honesty and integrity of the individuals in the company — it feels like a family.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My Mother Katherine Kelley.
Peter Kalivas: Director of PGK Dance Project and mentor
The PGK dance project company members.
Danika Pramik-Holdaway: Director of San Diego Civic Youth Ballet (Awarded me with scholarships and keep my career moving forward)
Ryan Beck: Ballet Training; Dance Photography and friendship:
Robyn Shifren: Ballet Training and Competition Dance Coaching.
My Husband Max Engelhardt
Khamla Somphanh: Horton and Contemporary Dance Teacher.
San Diego Dance Community: Support and love.
Pricing:
- $5 PGK Dance Classes Monday and Wednesday 10-11AM at Studio K Clairemont Mesa
- $15 Contemporary Burlesque Dance Classes Friday 7:30-8:30 PM at The Dance House Point Loma
- Litvak dance at the Vine July 13&24 $8-$16
- Continuum dance at the Vine July 27&28 $8-$16
- Privates $20 for 30 mins any style.
- ThePGKProject at Mojalet Dance Collective, September 7&8 $8-$16
Contact Info:
- Address: PGK Office
4704 A Street
San Diego, CA 92102 - Website: http://www.thepgkdanceproject.org
- Phone: 6199526222
- Email: jdances11@gmail.com or admin@thepgkproject.org
- Instagram: @kessica_jelley / @thepgkdanceprojectsd
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepgkproject/
Image Credit:
Eiji fuller, Marife Albay, Doug Mcminimy, Jim Carmondy, Jerry long
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