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Jessica Anne Crum

My name is Jessica and currently direct the Wando Dance Program located in Mount Pleasant, SC. I have been a teacher in the Wando Fine Arts Department for seven years. Unlike most dancers, I did not start training until I joined my high school's dance team at the age of 14. At 16, I walked in to my first ballet class not knowing what a dégagé was. At the Academy for the Arts, Science, and Technology (public arts high school) my dance teacher took an interest in my natural talent and taught me classical styles along with dance choreography and composition.

I continued my training at the College of Charleston studying Theatre performance (acting and directing) and Dance under the direction of Robert Ivey. During my sophomore year, I had the amazing opportunity to study a semester in New York City training from a variety of dance professionals. During my time in college, I intensively trained and choreographed works for the Robert Ivey Ballet Company. My work for the company has been reviewed by the Post and Courier and described as “insightful” and “inventively choreographed.”

Following graduation, I began teaching theatre and developing the dance program at Wando High School. After one semester, the dance department grew from 18 students to over 120 students. I inspire my students dream big and that it is never too late to have a career in dance; I am living proof of that!

I recently completed my graduate degree in Curriculum and Instruction and my +30 hours of additional graduate work. Also, in 2012 I founded the Wando Dance Company, which provides students with a pre-professional dance experience focusing on technical training and choreography. I also currently serve as co-director of All County Dance in Charleston County. In 2015, I was named the South Carolina Dance Educator of the Year.

As a dance teacher, I am always inspired and impressed by the level of student talent at Wando High School. In closing, I will say that, as an artist, I do not wish to merely provide entertainment at our concerts, but rather capture how art can inspire and change us, and as a result, make us better human beings.

Warmly,

Jessica

Jessica Crum, M. Ed

Wando High School

Dance Teacher

SC Dance Teacher of the Year, 2015

website

@wandodance

Personal Webpage

Press Release

Channel 2 News Clip

Tribe Talk

Low Country Biz Article

Pictured above: Wando High Principal, Dr. Eppelsheimer presenting the SC Dance Educator of the year award to Jessica Crum.