the team
leadership
William Gill, Artistic Director
Joseph Pindelski, Executive Director
Joel Hall, Co-Founder, Artistic Director Emeritus
board of directors
Craig Davis, President
Marshall Merrick Mitchell, Secretary
Sara West, Treasurer
J. Roger Buchanan
Leah O’Riordan
Pamela Young
staff
Moo Vang, Administrative Assistant
Diamond Warren-Tucker, Program Manager
Heather Zimny, Rehearsal Director
Emmanuel Ramirez-Hernandez, Ballet Master
Tesseract Business Office Management, Business Manager
jam-tik marketing, Social Media Management
Artistic Fundraising Group, Fundraising
Cathy Taylor Public Relations, Press and Media Relations
first company
Alana Hawkins
Talia Howard
Melissa Metro
Kristin Samerson Vollmer
Dorianne Thomas
Moo Vang
Heather Zimny
artist in residence
teaching artists
Patti Eylar
William Gill
Joel Hall
Joshua Ishmon (Deeply Rooted Dance Theater)
Julie Matolo
Melissa Metro
Marshall Merrick Mitchell
Jarais Musgrove
Joan Oberndorf
Emmanuel Ramirez-Hernandez
Kristin Samerson Vollmer
Richard Smith
Moo Vang
Nina-Rose Wardanian (Noumenon Dance Ensemble)
Heather Zimny
outreach
JHDC offers dynamic programming for grades K-12, including in-school & virtual classes, field trip programs, assembly presentations, and extracurricular training. JHDC has been honored to work with schools across Chicago, including Children of the Peace Catholic School, LaSalle Language Academy, Saint Ignatius College Prep, and Walter Payton College Prep. JHDC has also performed throughout Chicago schools as a part of Urban Gateways.
To inquire about building a personalized program for your school, contact classes@joelhall.org
healing modalities
JHDC believes in the healing power of movement and the importance of a strong arts community. Through the mindful curation of classes, events, seminars, and accessible opportunities, JHDC is committed to giving our community the tools to heal and grow. Together we are stronger, turning dust into glitter.
the chrysalis project
We are proud to partner with the Youth Empowerment Performance Project, or YEPP, on the Chrysalis Project. “Chrysalis” brings together young adults facing housing and food challenges and supplies them with food, transportation, and training in dance as a tool for expression and self-care. Over the course of a 16-week program, these young people will work with an emerging choreographer to develop a final project that expresses their lived experiences and demonstrates their commitment to developing their skills and caring for each other through this process.
Dance is well-known for its benefits. It builds community and social skills. It conditions the body through intense physical exercise. It strengthens the mind with coordination challenges and spatial awareness. It releases endorphins and supports better self-image and self-esteem. Increasingly, dance has been scientifically shown to aid brain development in youth, support mental acuity in seniors, and as a way to minimize the effects of Parkinsons.
Chrysalis programs launched in January 2025 and we look forward to a final performance in late Spring 2025.
supporters
The people and programs of the Chrysalis Project are supported by the following individuals and organizations.
Conagra Brands
The Albert Pick, Jr. Fund
League of Chicago Theatre - ComEd “Powering the Arts”