Jesse Zaritt

Jesse Zaritt is a Brooklyn, NY-based dance artist. He is an Associate Professor at the University of the Arts having previously been the inaugural 2014-2016 Research Fellow in the School of Dance. Jesse has performed his solo work in Uruguay, Russia, Korea, Germany, New York, Japan, Mexico, Israel and throughout the US. His solo ‘Binding’ is the recipient of three 2010 New York Innovative Theater Awards: Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Solo Performance, and Outstanding Performance Art Production.

Jesse worked collaboratively with choreographer Jumatatu Poe from 2012-2015; their evening-length duet was presented by Gibney Dance Center in NYC in October 2015. A duet created in collaboration with choreographer Katie Swords premiered at the Museum of Art and Design in NYC in Late October 2015. Jesse was commissioned by the American Dance Festival to create a duet with choreographer Mark Haim which premiered as part of the festival’s 2015 performance season.

From September 2008 through June 2011, Jesse was an artist in residence at the 14th Street Y in Manhattan as part of LABA, a laboratory for new Jewish culture. He has been commissioned to create original choreographic works for numerous college programs in the US and Israel. Jesse was the recipient of a 2006-2007 Dorot Fellowship in Israel enabling him to study the relationship between political conflict and choreography. Jesse was a performer with the Shen Wei Dance Arts Company (NYC/2001-2006), and the Inbal Pinto Dance Company (Tel Aviv/2008). Jesse has also performed in the work of Faye Driscoll (NYC/2010-2015) and works as an artistic advisor/dramaturge for her current projects. Jesse currently performs in the work of Netta Yerushalmy (NYC/since 2009). Jesse has previously taught at Bard College, the American Dance Festival, Hollins University, Pomona College, and the University of the Americas Puebla (Mexico) as well as at festivals in Japan, Korea, and Russia. Jesse received an MFA in Dance from Hollins University/The American Dance Festival (2008) and a BA from Pomona College (2000).