Jessica Kilpatrick

Jessica Kilpatrick has devoted her life's work to studying, embodying and sharing her passion for the art of dance. Formerly the Principal of the Lower School and Adult Programs at The School of Philadelphia Ballet she has called upon her immense experience inside the dance community to continue to expand accessibility of the highest quality of dance education to all.

Jessica began professional ballet training at the School of the Hartford Ballet, at the age of 9. In love with classical technique, she continued on to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Pedagogy from the Hartt School, University of Hartford. Throughout her early years she performed many of the iconic classical ballets as well as works by world renowned choreographers including Kirk Peterson’s American Nutcracker, works by Jose Limon, Anthony Tudor, Martha Graham and Paul Taylor.

Jessica’s love for teaching was born at the age of 17 when she was given the opportunity to share the beauty of ballet with members of the Boys and Girls Clubs in Hartford CT. Jessica’s drive to share the joy of ballet continued to grow and she went on to teach at Ballet Hispanico and The Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, The Ballet School of Stamford and The University of Hartford Hartt School Community. Division where she served as Artistic Director for their 2014 Summer Ballet Intensive. In her most recent years she has enjoyed serving as a Ballet Educator at Drexel University and community teaching artist at The Rock School of Dance Education. 

Choreography quickly became another aspect of dance that Jessica became passionate about. After her directorship with the Hartt School she was commissioned to create two ballets for the school and when with the Philadelphia Ballet she choreographed multiple works for the ballet’s Community Engagement and Adaptive Programs, The Philadelphia Ballet’s Second Company, and the Trainees of The School of Philadelphia Ballet. One of the most notable works being “I AM” a ballet integrating both the Philadelphia Ballet’s Second Company and St. Katherine’s Special Education School. The project was documented by award-winning filmmaker Glenn Holsten and premiered in 2017.

Jessica’s performance career began performing Merce Cunningham’s “Inlets 2” at the American Dance Festival. The work and process was filmed as part of a documentary highlighting Merce Cunningham’s work. She later became a founding member of Alison Cook Beatty Dance, and joined Amy Marshall Dance Company where she performed in many prestigious venues and festivals across the world. During her time at The Philadelphia Ballet Jessica stepped onto the stage of The Academy of Music to take on some well known character roles under the direction of Angel Corella. The Nurse in Kenneth Macmillan’s Romeo and Juliet, the Grandmother in Balanchine's  The Nutcracker, Berthe, Giselle’s Mother in Giselle, and the role of Aiya in Mr. Corella’s restaging of La Bayadere.

Jessica is now serving as CEO of LoveArts and is a guest artist and consultant for several arts organizations in the country. Jessica is beyond thrilled to continue to share her knowledge and love for dance and be a part of a large community that celebrates one another while making dreams come true.