Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Meyer.
Hi Jessica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Currently, I am 21 years of age. My passion for dance began at 2 ½ years of age where I was introduced to dance. Since the 2nd grade, I have always wanted to be a choreographer. I was not like the regular school kids running around playing during recess. I would gather a group together and choreograph dances at the school playground instead of playing on the swings. When dance schools rejected my dream of doing a Hip Hop solo at a young age, my mother took me to a dance school that accepted my talents and recognized my abilities as a Hip Hop dancer at the age of 8. I took part in choreographing my first hip-hop solo and won many awards starting at that age. I was a part of many dance companies competing and performing out of State, and throughout the State of Florida from the age of 6 all the way to 17. At age 9, I was a protege of a well-known ballet dancer, Ron Holiday, who had his own show in Radio City Music Hall called “Cat Dancers.” My strong suits have always been hip hop, pointe, and expressing my emotions on stage with contemporary and other styles of dance. Through these years, I dealt with many peers, teachers, and parents wishing and acting on ill will toward me because of my ethnicity and natural talent. In 2019, I decided to join a hip-hop crew in Orlando and give up the dance studio/competition life for good. My dream of going to Los Angeles, California, taking a class from my inspiration “Dytto”, taking hip hop classes from famous hip hop choreographers, and seeing Hollywood came true when I competed in the World of Dance Championships with the “Nomads” hip-hop crew from Orlando, Florida. Thanks to my mother for making this happen, as I lived an hour and a half away from Orlando. She would drive me there and back 4 days out of the week to help make my dreams come true. After I graduated high school, I was accepted into UNF, and my dance career began to blossom. Since I always wanted to have a dance crew, I investigated how I could pursue this, and that’s when I found the UNF Elite Dance Club. This is a diversified club of mixed-level dancers and student choreography classes. The club is based on accepting experienced and non-experienced dancers to be included. It is an opportunity for everyone’s happiness and joy to shine. There is no favoritism, politics, competition, or jealousy, and this was the club for me with the support and positivity everyone had. The club consists of hip-hop, lyrical, jazz, contemporary, stretching, acrobatics, and conditioning classes. I was fortunate enough to choreograph my first young adult class with the club and a piece for a performance at the university during my first year. I began to be considered a leader in the club during my first year in college and became president of the UNF Elite dance club in the second semester of my sophomore year. During my junior year, I took the club and made it more recognizable than in the past with an expansion of increasing members with over 20 students. During the first month of school, I choreographed and created a four-minute production piece with 20 mixed-level dancers in two weeks for the Riverside Arts Market performance. A piece like that usually takes about 3-6 months to complete. We had a groundbreaking performance, making our mark in the City of Jacksonville and representing UNF. We received amazing feedback from the dance community in Jacksonville and the audience. This is a moment I am most proud of as a choreographer, leader, and creator. This is what the second grader choreographing during recess time always dreamt of. Hip-hop is a crucial component in Jacksonville, and it was a culture lacked at UNF. It is now becoming well-recognized at UNF because of the club and the dedication to hip hop I provided. We are currently working towards another Riverside Arts Market Performance on March 2nd at 10am and the UNF homecoming basketball game halftime show in February. I established a GoFundMe page to help members attend the KAOS hip-hop convention in Miami. Attending this convention will contribute to the mark we hope to leave on campus and in the city of Jacksonville. Here is the GoFund me link for donations https://www.gofundme.com/manage/kaos-hip-hop-convention-for-the-unf-elite-dance?fss=1 . As president, I aspire for this club to keep a legacy of dancers at UNF in spreading the art of dance throughout campus and the city!
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
As a gifted dancer, I have been blessed with an immense amount of talent and passion. It was tough, and sometimes emotional having to overcome the jealousy and ill will surrounding from others. Political actions and behaviors occurred by dancers and parents who were entitled, as well as some dance moms bullying me. Because of the money, and having a struggling single mom, I was never recognized or given fair opportunities. At my last dance studio, hip-hop was not a recognized style, and I was ridiculed and made fun of for my urban fashion choices and talents in hip-hop many times. No matter what, my mom always stood up to the mean dance moms and some dance directors to prioritize my happiness by embracing my talent, even if it took her pawning her jewelry and valuable items.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am in my junior year at UNF, studying child psychology and minoring in business. I aspire to one day to incorporate dance and art therapy alongside an art shop within my child psychology practice. I have a deep love for children and an engrained motive to help future generations be the best versions of themselves, living their most fulfilling & healthy lives. I teach at Arts on The Edge Studio in Flemming Island, teaching hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, and art classes. I enjoy this job so much because I do not see it as work; it feels like something I love doing as it correlates with my love for children, dance, and art. With dance, I am known for my unique style of pointe and hip hop combined which is known as “Hiplet”. Pointe and hip hop, two opposite sides of the dance spectrum, have always been my strong suits. And so one day, I decided to combine the two. One of my greatest achievements as I entered the adult world of dance at a young age was my debut solo, “Dead Silence.” This choreography was done by Sarah Bowersox and myself, which in turn I won many awards and scholarships, including Elite 1st Place at the KAR Dance Competition, the highest honor in dance competition. I aspire to put this dance style on the map, stepping out of traditional ballet and pushing the boundaries. Creating and choreographing dance visuals & performances is my true passion; you can find my work on Instagram @jessiexmovement and YouTube @Jessiexmovement3626.
I am also known for my artwork in paintings, clay art, and tie-dye. In the third grade, I made duct tape bows, wallets, pens, and even clothes and sold them to my classmates. Entrepreneurship has always been a part of me. This past year, that part of my life blossomed. Officially, I have been one year in business with my small business, “Jcreations,” selling vibrant watercolor & acrylic paintings, clay art & jewelry, and tie-dye clothing. Everything is handmade by me and original. My website is: https://www.jcreationsbyjessie.com/. In addition, I also participate in art markets such as “Jax Beach Arts Market,” “904 Pop Up,” and “Riverside Arts Market.” My goal is to touch lives with my art, giving people a newfound joy!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
The Bible is the number one resource that helps me be the best I can be, not just in my art form but in life; I am big on my faith and constantly strive to spread the light and love of Jesus Christ through everything I do! No matter what happens to me, I always have my faith to fall on. Some podcasts I listen to that help me grow are “House of Herby” by Queen Herby & Jedi Nick and “Psychology Unplugged” by Dr. Nigro. I listen to these weekly, and they enrich the mind. “House of Herby” is a safe space for self-discovery, exploring the rollercoaster of creative life with motivation and encouragement to chase after your dreams alongside a spiritual touch. It has helped me grow and transform, letting go of hardships and blooming into the best version of myself in tune with my creativity. “Psychology Unplugged” is a mix of mental health topics, psychology, and psychoeducation, with a touch of spirituality occasionally. It gives me the psychology knowledge I strive to acquire within the field and broadens my outlook on relationships, people, and life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jcreationsbyjessie.com/
- Instagram:@Jessiexmovement & @Jcreations777
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDKa9tAuae7rUbU8R8IoPIQ
Image Credits
@flicksby.jm @morganworlledgephoto
