Janelle Gilchrist
FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Founder and Artistic Director, Janelle Gilchrist received her early training in ballet, modern dance, and jazz at the Harriet Hoctor Ballet School, Boston Ballet School, José Mateo Ballet Theatre, Broadway Dance Project, Concord Academy, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. She earned a BFA in Dance Performance at the Hartt School (University of Hartford) and a Master of Arts in teaching from Mount Holyoke College. Gilchrist apprenticed with the Hartford Ballet, New Jersey Ballet, and was a company dancer with José Mateo Ballet Theatre and City Ballet Boston. She performed in Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker, where she debuted as the Sugar Plum Fairy. In addition to her performance career, Gilchrist served as the principal and lead teacher at José Mateo Ballet Theatre’s Dorchester School. She also taught ballet in several local programs, including Tony Williams’ Dance Center, Step By Step, and Boston University’s Reach Program. Currently, Gilchrist is a full-time dance teacher at The Dr. Albert D. Holland School of Technology with the Boston Public Schools and is an assistant professor of Dance at Boston Conservatory.
Spencer Keith
ARTISTIC ADVISOR & COMMUNITY ENSEMBLE CHOREOGRAPHER
Spencer Keith was born in Romania and raised in Honolulu, HI. He received his training at Academie de Danse Classique Princesse Grace, Woodbury Ballet and Hawaii State Ballet and was taught by instructors Randyl Errica, Marika Besobrasova and John Landovsky. In 2008 Spencer was invited to participate in the Bolshoi Ballet Academy’s Gala performance in Moscow, Russia. He was awarded a gold medal for pas de deux in the Connecticut Classic Competition in 2011 and a silver medal for variation in 2012. Spencer danced with José Mateo Ballet Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts from 2011-2018 and continues to dance and teach for many schools in the New England area.
Jasmine Forrest
MANAGER
Jasmine Forrest is a young and up and coming choreographer, performer and director for artists and companies. In 2023 she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Contemporary Dance from Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music. While there, Jasmine Forrest performed for Tyler Christian, Anthony Burrell and Tia Fuller as a dancer and as a dancer for Usher at Berklee’s 2023 Commencement Performance. After receiving her diploma, she went on tour with Tyler Christian to Lollapalooza and in the same year the LA based duo ‘Fifeteen0eight’ creatively directed and choreographed their official music video of their single “If I May”. She went on to become a critically acclaimed director for Kathryn Denny’s “Connected the Musical” produced by the Nashoba Players. Jasmine is also an actress, seen this year in a short film series available on Instagram titled “Alphabet IV”. Today, Jasmine Forrest is the Company Manager of Janelle Gilchrist Dance Troupe and co-produced their production of “Summer Solace: the calm that comes after fear” with Janelle Gilchrist. As Company Manager, she develops all social media advertising, web design and brand materials. Her diverse portfolio highlights the unique perspective Jasmine offers. As her career continues to develop, Jasmine Forrest not only supports the dance community by providing equitable access to performing arts spaces through her initiatives, classes, campaigns and works.
Molly Kleiner
INTERN
Molly Kleiner is a Boston-area dancer and choreographer currently pursuing a degree in Dance at Loyola University Chicago. She began her training at Boston Ballet School and has continued her studies with programs including Nutmeg Conservatory, Brookline Ballet School, and Chautauqua School of Dance. Her training spans ballet, pointe, contemporary, modern, Graham, and Humphrey techniques.
Molly has performed with the Loyola Dance Program in works by José Limón, Tracey Franklin, and Raúl Díaz-Maroto Casaola, as well as in Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker. She has also choreographed original student works and is passionate about exploring both performance and choreography. Outside of dance, Molly enjoys music, photography, fashion design, and baking.
Molly has performed with the Loyola Dance Program in works by José Limón, Tracey Franklin, and Raúl Díaz-Maroto Casaola, as well as in Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker. She has also choreographed original student works and is passionate about exploring both performance and choreography. Outside of dance, Molly enjoys music, photography, fashion design, and baking.