The Artists

Jon Lehrer Dance Company or JLDC was originally situated in Buffalo, NY when it was originally founded in 2007. In it's early years the company began to explore and develop their own unique artistic vision. According to their website: JLDC's expressive style is based on three main elements of movement - Circularity, 3-Dimensionality, and Momentum - which combine to create a form that is best described as "Organically Athletic." In other words, the company takes movement that is naturally occurring and manipulates its and expands on it to express stories, emotions, and ideas. Not only is this company a feat of human athleticism but they are well known for their expressiveness.

In 2019 the NY company moved to NYC where they have integrated their unique and bright style into the vast NYC dance community. NYC boasts some of the greatest dancers and companies in the world and JLDC stands out amongst them for their fusion of modern and jazz techniques.

JLDC has performed both nationally and internationally and has been nationally recognized and recieved many awards. Click here to learn more about their accolades.

Jon Lehrer

Founder/Artistic Director

Jon Lehrer grew up in NYC but it wasn't until he moved to Buffalo to attend University at Buffalo that he took his first dance class... on a dare! This dare changed his life's trajectory, enjoying the class so much he ended up joining the dance program and receiving his Bachelor's in Fine Arts in Dance.

During his early career he explored various different dance career paths. Lehrer studied with Paul Sanasardo, was a member of the John Passafiume Dancers, performed in "Funderful" in Atlantic City and The Radio City Rockettes "Christmas Spectacular." However one of his most formative experiences was as a member of Erick Hawkins Dance Company. Hawkins was a pioneer in the modern dance world creating his own technique that centered around dance safety and movement that integrated anatomic principles, kinesiology, and dance.

Jon Lehrer's next adventure found him moving to the Midwest dancing with Giordano Dance Chicago, famous for the Gus Giordano Jazz Technique. He ascended the ranks in the company becoming Rehearsal Director and eventually Associate Director during his 10 year career with them. During this time he choreographed for the company and taught master classes around Chicago and the country including Jazz Dance World Congress.

During his time choreographing for Giordano Dance Chicago he created his first rendition of Bridge and Tunnel, one of the works they will perform at Miller Auditorium. It was shortly after this that he decided to create his own dance company blending his two techniques of jazz and modern.

Taking the best of both Gus Giordano Jazz Technique and Hawkins modern dance technique, he has formed his own dance philosophy. Lehrer uses what he calls the "3 elements" circularity, 3-Dimensionailty, and Momentum to use the fluidity of modern dance the excitement and energy of jazz dance.

Learn more about Jon Lehrer, his personal and professional history, and his thoughts on dance Here in an interview with Jon himself.

Associate Director

Cristiana Cavallo

From Utica New York, Cristiana Cavallo started dancing at age 3. Cristiana received her early dance training at Dancenter and Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute School of Dance and later received her BFA in Dance and a BA in sociology from University at Buffalo. Check out Cristiana in action below.

Company Dancers

Resident Dancers & Rehersal Director

Mahalia Brookes is originally from US Virgin Islands and has her BFA from Marymount Manhattan College. She is also the companies social media manager.
Jennifer M. Gerken is originally from Texas and started dancing at 6 years old. She has a BFA in Dance from Ailey/Fordham Program and also danced with Alvin Ailey's second company Ailey II.
Kirsten Hedber is originally from Richmond Virginia. She recieved her BFA in Contemporary Dance from University of North Carolina School for the Arts. She also attended the Martha Graham School of Dance.
Michael Miller is originally from Long Island New York and started dancing at 8 years old. He has a BA in Dance from James Madison University. Michael is also the Rehearsal Director for JLDC.
Riccardo Passera is orginally from Italy and started dancing at age 10. He first studied Caribbean styles of dance before learning ballet, modern, and contemporary. He also attended the Ailey School.
Austin Shaffer is from Ohio and has a BFA in Dance from Slippery Rock University.
Mitchell Takeda was born in Taiwan and raised in Scramento. He has his BFA in Musical Theatre from Ball State University and was also a graduate of the Honors College there.

Costume & Lighting Designers

Laura Vanner

Costume Design -

"I've always wanted to create something that made use of fabric scraps and waste from previous projects. The "mingos!" costume provided that opportunity. Fabric waste is a huge problem for the environment and over the years with all the costumes I have created for JLDC, I have not thrown the majority of scraps away. The purple fabrics used for the peacocks has been sitting in my fabic stock for years - kids costumes, old truths, some lyrical costumes, etc. I'm so excited to use what I had on hand insted of buying more!" - Laura Vanner on the "mingos!" costuming

Kam Hobbs

Lighting Design

Eli Medina

Lighting Design

John Imburgia

Lighting Design

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