Gary Jeter

Assistant Professor, School of Dance

BFA, The University of the Arts

Contact Info

School of Dance

Terra Hall 3RD

“And I’d swim to the sun, no matter how impossible that may seem.”  – Cee-lo Green

Gary W. Jeter II is a two-time graduate of University of the Arts, where he earned his BFA in 2003 and his  MFA in 2020. Jeter’s style/method of moving is influenced and inspired by many years of dancing in diverse and extended ways. It merges everything he has found beneficial and enjoys.

Biography
Jeter began dancing in 1997 at Pebble Brook High School for the Performing Arts in Mableton, Georgia, from which he graduated in 1999. He attended the Ailey fellowship summer program and was a member of Eleone Dance Theater. Jeter received a full director’s scholarship to University of the Arts, where he earned a BFA degree in 2003. 

After graduation, he was asked to join Philadanco (Philadelphia Dance Company), where he was a principal dancer from 2003 to ­2007. Jeter moved on to dance with Complexions Contemporary Ballet from 2007 to 2014, and in November 2013, premiered his first ballet for the company, titled You Do What You Can. In addition, he has restaged Complexions repertory at University of the Arts; Point Park University, Pittsburgh; and Complexions. Jeter has also assisted Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson on choreographic projects nationally and internationally and is still connected with the company through his position of artist-in-residence.  

He joined BalletX in August 2014 and danced with that company until 2018. Jeter has choreographed works for the Come Together Festival, Complexions Contemporary Ballet and its summer program, Danco 2, Eleone Dance Theater, Philadelphia Dance Theatre, and University of the Arts, among other organizations. In 2018 Gary transitioned from BalletX to the faculty of UArts, where he is now visiting assistant professor. In the summer of 2020, Jeter graduated from the University of the Arts MFA in Dance program. Jeter’s style/method of moving is influenced and inspired by many years of dancing in diverse and extended ways. It merges everything he has found beneficial and enjoys.

Experience

  • Jeter danced with Philadanco from 2003 to 2007, Complexions Contemporary Ballet from 2007 to 2014 and BalletX from 2014 to 2018. 
  • He has restaged Complexions Contemporary repertory at Point Park University, Pittsburgh; University of the Arts; and Complexions.  
  • Jeter has guested with Ballet NJ, Daniel Gwirtzman, Philadanco and Tommie Waheed-Evans, among other companies and choreographers.

Awards & Accolades

Jeter is a two-time Rocky Award–winner. The Rocky Awards honor Philadelphia’s dance community. 

Contact
gjeter@uarts.edu