JCWK Dance Lab is an ongoing research project combining education, physical dance practice, and performance. JCWK Dance Lab investigates the ways that dance can be a vehicle for non-violent, positive social change by creating Joy, Connection, and Wellness through Kinesthetic stories. Originating in 2016 as a project=based company, JCWK Dance Lab has grown into Berks County’s only professional, contemporary dance ensemble with outreach programs, classes, and regular performances.
The Work: (click on the links below)
The Greater Reading Area Dance Exchange
The People:
Jessica C. Warchal-King, MFA, (founder and director) described as a “post mod(ern) ballerina” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, is a performer, choreographer, educator, and arts advocate. She is the director and founder of JCWK Dance Lab, The Greater Reading Area Dance Exchange, and the blog “Fieldnotes”.
As an educator, Jessica is a Lecturer and Artist in Residence in Dance at Alvernia University. She is a trained Artist in Health through Penn State Health and develops dance programs for a variety of populations, including: PreK-12, seniors, people with Parkinson’s Disease, adaptive/ inclusive dance, and concert dance techniques (ballet, Modern, Contemporary, and Jazz). She incorporates Brain-Compatible Dance-Education, mindfulness, dance history, somatics, and Joy into all of her classes.
Jessica was a Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor of Dance at Drexel University (2019-2020). She led the dance program at Widener University (2013-2019). Jessica has also taught at Muhlenberg College, DeSales University, Temple University, West Chester University, Grand State University (MI), and Old Dominion University (VA) in addition to a variety of community centers and dance studios. Her choreography has been presented in venues throughout the East Coast. She has set over 200 works on college and university students and professional and pre-professional dancers.
In addition to her own work, Jessica has performed for and collaborated with many independent choreographers nationally and internationally. Jessica was a senior dance artist with the internationally recognized modern dance company, Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers (KYL/D), from 2010-2017. She also was a founding member of the regionally recognized contemporary ballet company, Nora Gibson Contemporary Ballet, from 2009-2016. With both companies, Jessica has toured nationally and internationally and has performed at some of the premier dance venues in the US.
She was the Managing Director for the Arts Series at Alvernia University (2019-2020). Jessica co-founded and curated of the KYL/D’s InHale Performance Series (2008-2019), one of Philadelphia’s longest running performance opportunities for emerging and established artists. She also held various administrative positions at KYL/D from 2009-2017, including: Assistant to the Directors, CHI MAC Operations Coordinator and Community Liaison.
Jessica’s writing was published by the Journal of Dance Education, DanceAdvantage.net, and PhiladelphiaDance.org.
Jessica received grants from the Reading Musical Foundation, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Philadelphia Cultural Fund and Berks Arts. She has received awards from Alvernia & Widener universities, a Rocky Award from the Philadelphia Dance Community, and residencies from PhiladelphiaDance.org, Lafayette College, and Widener University.
She earned her MFA in Performance and Choreography from Temple University, where sh
e was awarded a Teaching/ Research Assistantship, a Dance Scholarship, and the Temple University Rose Vernick Award for Arti
stic Transformation. Jessica earned her BA in Dance and Anthropology from Muhlenberg College where she received the Dance Leadership Award and was the Assistant to the Director of the Muhlenberg Community Dance Center. Jessica is also a trained instructor in Dance for PD – a program developed by the Mark Morris Dance Group to bring dance to people with Parkinson’s Disease, a Power Pilates Mat Certified Instructor, and a Reiki practitioner.
Additionally, Jessica enjoys delighting in the discoveries of her son, the shifting temper of the ocean, and adventures inspired by her environments. She digs into the talents and gifts of her community and creates creative spaces from which these can be shared.
