testimonials
Honza,
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF: BROADWAY NATIONAL TOUR, DANCER/DANCE CAPTAIN
“Jessica’s approach to teaching is guided by gentleness, care, and the belief that each person already knows what’s best for their physical and mental self (consciously or unconsciously). Her thoughtful class plans will help you revisit familiar concepts from a new angle and her teaching style will lead you to stay attuned to your body as you move, dance, flow, and breathe.”
Helen,
MUSICAL THEATER PERFORMER
I've been working with Jess for 4 years now! She does a great job of breaking down the "how" and "why." For example, in our ballet work, we have broken down how to properly engage my back at the barre. I have acquired a deeper understanding of why ballet barre exercises are so structured and specific. Jess is also a gifted yogi and has taught me how to incorporate yoga into my dance practice. During the pandemic, we worked virtually to create a warmup that meets my specific needs. I consistently do this warmup now before I film self-tapes or head into an audition room. Consider yourself lucky if you have opportunity to work with Jess. She brings so much joy and positive energy to every lesson and is an incredible teacher and mentor alike.
Alynn,
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF: BROADWAY NATIONAL TOUR, DANCER
Jess’s yoga class is always a highlight of my week. My body and mind are stronger and happier for sharing this movement practice with her.”
Austin Sora,
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: BROADWAY NATIONAL TOUR, DANCER
Jess is an incredible teacher who leads with kindness and creates a safe space for all. She is thoughtful in her approach and meets each student where they are, without judgment. Jess is the best!
Carly,
MUSICAL THEATER STUDENT
Viviana,
PARENT OF MUSICAL THEATER STUDENT
In one lesson Jessica helped my daughter tremendously with her technique and confidence. My daughter came out energized and raved about how sweet and nice Jessica was with her and how she can't wait to take more lessons with her (she had so much fun too!). At the end of the lesson, I received a summary from Jessica which will help us keep up with what she learned, and I thought this was extremely valuable. I highly recommend Jessica as a dance tutor and will be booking more lessons with her in the future!
Ellie,
BALLET STUDENT
I have greatly enjoyed my time with Jessica so far. I am a complete beginner to ballet, and I was impressed by how Jessica is very organized with her lessons. She lets me know what we will work on for the future, and uses a shared notebook so that we can both recap the lesson and share any ideas or thoughts we had during. I appreciate how she incorporates yoga and some other fun dancing activities at the end to loosen up my dance muscles :) excited for my third lesson!
Grace Hart,
FREELANCE DANCER
“Jessica is a powerhouse of creativity and love. Her extensive training in dance and psychology allows her to take into account her dancers’ physical, mental, and emotional body. Jessica creates movement and exercises that allow her dancers to find freedom and clarity in their bodies, minds, and spirits. Her energy is a supportive and nurturing one, ensuring that her dancers feel seen and understood. From this supported space, healthy growth and learning are inevitable. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with such a loving, patient, and inspiring teacher and choreographer.”
Elizabeth,
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
“My experience working with Jessica has been nothing but positive. From the first time I took class with her at a young age, she helped me improve my technique through her helpful corrections. Whenever she gave me corrections, she truly worked me through what I needed to do differently. Because of this, I could always understand how to apply what she wanted me to do. I was often amazed at how quickly she could make things easier for me by just telling me exactly what I had to do, whether it was by showing me, or by explaining it.
One thing I love about Jessica is how she is able to push me out of my comfort zone. She creates an environment where you feel encouraged to push yourself beyond what you are comfortable with. Because of this, I have danced in ways I probably never would have.
Not only is Jessica an amazing teacher, but she is also a mentor. She gives great advice and shares insight. Overall, Jessica has had a great impact on my life and is an encouraging and knowledgeable teacher.”
Natalie,
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
“Jess has a way to make us feel comfortable and worthy and special in an open space whether she has an hour and a half with us or 10 minutes. You can always go to her and you won’t ever be judged about how you feel or who you are.
She creates a space where you can forget for some time and you can just really become intact with yourself and your body. She teaches us to strip yourself from your thoughts and worries and to always unapologetically be you.
I always look forward to any class or even 5 minutes of time I get to talk to Jess and I couldn’t thank her enough for the empowerment and healing she’s given all of us.”
Tricia,
LEADERSHIP COACH, FITNESS + YOGA TEACHER
Jess is an intuitively gifted teacher. She has a natural confidence and ease in the seat of the teacher that transmits across a digital format and makes you feel welcome, held, and seen. Her classes are fun, approachable and guaranteed to spark joy.
Lilla Rogers,
ART AGENT
Jess creates such a warm, positive and encouraging environment! She caters to the individual needs of the student, no matter what level, and you leave feeling empowered and inspired! From technique to stretch routines to audition/callback prep, I am so grateful for my time with Jess, and look forward to more!
I’ve taken multitudes of yoga classes over the decades, and had a variety of teachers, but I will tell you that Jess is a wonderful yoga teacher. She’s warm, fun, precise with the movements, and easy to follow. You find that you’re pushing yourself without even realizing it, all with her warmth and obvious joy of teaching.
Pola,
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
“Jessica Altchiler is an amazing teacher and mentor. I have worked with her for several years now and have grown greatly as a dancer with her help. She always goes the extra mile to connect with her students and not only focuses on dancing but the goals of her students as well. “
Hannah,
DANCE STUDENT
“Jessica is a light both inside and outside of the dance classroom. She instills a passion for dance within her students, as Jessica's passion for dance and teaching is contagious. She is dedicated to her students, mentoring each to optimize their progression throughout her class. Jessica embodies every aspect of an ideal teacher, and I highly recommend taking classes with her.”
Rebecca,
DANCE STUDENT
“Jessica teaches with the exuberance and love, that only someone with an immense passion for teaching and dance could possess. She inspires everyone who enters her class to work the hardest, learn the most, and be they best they can possibly be. You leave her class with wonderfully sore muscles, new skills mastered but most importantly an open heart.”
Cathi,
FOUNDER OF THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER OF CT
"It has been my pleasure to know Ms. Altchiler for the past ten years. She was the youngest ABT Certified Instructor at 16, a B.F.A. graduate of Marymount Manhattan College and has attended some of the most notable dance intensives, master classes and training program available in the dance community; I can say without reservation that she is technically and artistically qualified to assist in the training of dancers. Jessica's personality is one that will inspire - she has a wealth of knowledge to share and is an enthusiastic instructor and mentor. For all those, beginner to advanced, Ms. Altchiler has something to share with you in your dance education."
Helen,
MUSICAL THEATER PERFORMER
“I worked with Jess this summer to prepare for college in the Fall. Not being a dancer, I was worried about being prepared for my musical theatre program. Jess helped me immensely with technique. I was able to enter school feeling confident, and that is thanks to her. Consider yourself lucky if you have the opportunity to work with Jess. She is patient, kind, and is always pushing you to do your absolute best.”
Tee,
PARENT OF STUDENT
“Jessica Altchlier has taught my daughter dance for the past 6 years. She has been nothing short of inspirational, dedicated, caring and loving!
My daughter has grown to love everything and anything that Jessica has brought into her life. Jess has done far more than just instill a love of dance for my daughter. She has given my daughter a voice of independence and courage in her teen years that is so extremely important in this world we live in today!
Knowing Jessica is a true gift and her dedication to dance is contagious!”
Annie,
PARENT OF STUDENT
“My daughter took ballet from Jessica over the years. Jessica is a very warm and supportive teacher. She fosters a nurturing environment where dancers challenge themselves, while learning the proper technique. Over the years, I have seen Jessica turn students who took ballet as requirement into dancers who were passionate about the art form. I have had the privilege of observing Jessica classes over the years. She is an excellent teacher and choreographer for all age groups. Her passion for her craft is infectious. As a parent, I can attest that she is very approachable and a joy to be around.”
Olivia,
COLLEGE STUDENT
“Jessica Altchiler is one of the most humble and loving teachers I've worked with. It's one thing to be a teacher but, to me, Jessica is a role model and friend.”
Jasmine,
COLLEGE STUDENT
“Jessica is truly an amazing teacher. She puts everything she has into not only her dancing but her teaching as well. She is an inspiration to everyone she meets.”
Susan,
PARENT OF STUDENT
I would love to take this opportunity to mention Jessica Altchiler and to recommend her as a teacher, mentor, role model and so many other things. My daughter and I constantly taut her as “our favorite human being ever”. In teaching my daughter dance over the years (almost 12 to be exact), she has instilled confidence, independence and expression. Jessica’s talents span dance and movement, voice, acting and she can teach it all with such joy. She has mentored and taught my daughter in her dream role at dance, gotten her over some stumbling and creative blocks over the years and we can never thank her enough for being the loving and accepting person she is. I have seen my child do things in the last few years I never thought she would even attempt and thanks to Jessica she has not only attempted them but done very well. As she looks to college she is excited to incorporate and mimic many of Jess’s best attributes that she has instilled in my young dancer/student. Thank You Jess and we look forward to many more years of learning and enjoying our relationship with you. Susan T., and Juliana T.
Caroline,
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
Jessica Altchiler is one of the most caring, compassionate, honest, and loving people I know. She is extremely intelligent and just overall an amazing person. Along with being an amazing person, she is also an amazing teacher. When I have her as a teacher I always learn something new. She knows how to really pull out a certain feeling or style from out of a person when they dance. Whenever I leave her class, I always feel happy and just refreshed. She has a way of just helping people get out of their comfort zones. Also she is very inspirational and motivational. Jess is an overall amazing person who can make anyone smile and who is extremely intelligent.”
Betty,
EDITOR + YOGA TEACHER
“As an instructor of martial arts for 23 years, I'm very sensitive to how others teach their art. Jessica is an extraordinarily talented teacher. Because of her decades as a dance/movement professional, her awareness of how the body moves makes her cuing of the postures very clear and easy to understand. One of my favorite things about taking her classes is her compassionate and loving energy while still also pushing and challenging you in a fun and engaging manner. I highly recommend her classes!”