Education & Community Engagement
Welcome
Welcome to The Joffrey’s Education & Community Engagement (ECE) website. With the information and tools made available to you on this site, we hope you will discover how ballet can enrich your life.
The Joffrey Ballet’s ECE programs have provided Chicagoans with inspirational arts education opportunities for more than 10 years. Currently serving approximately 1,000 young people each school year and touching the lives of thousands more, our programs continue to expand in both depth and breadth to have a more profound impact in Chicago each year.
Our Mission
The Joffrey Ballet’s Education & Community Engagement Program is committed to empowering individuals and developing life skills through creative and educational programming while strengthening ties within Chicago’s communities. Programs are designed to inspire a greater appreciation for ballet while introducing participants to the benefits this art form offers.
To download a PDF of The Joffrey Ballet’s 2006-2007 ECE Brochure, click here.
Get Involved
The Education & Community Engagement Program is searching for enthusiastic volunteers. If you would like more information about how to become a volunteer or about any of the Joffrey’s ECE programs, please e-mail us at [email protected] or call Pierre Lockett at 312.386.8931.
ECE Staff
Pierre Lockett, Director of Education & Community Engagement
Laura Seno, Education & Community Engagement Manager
Elizabeth Millman, Education & Community Engagement Associate
ECE Teaching Artists
Deanne Brown, Cristin Carole, Ariel Cisneros, Erica Edwards, Kari Gregg, Suzanne Lopez, Brian McSween, Einnaf Smith, Michael Smith, Linda Swayze and Andrea Vinson
About Us
Pierre Lockett joined The Joffrey Ballet’s administrative staff in 2004 after a long career as a professional dancer. Mr. Lockett was a lead dancer with The Joffrey for 13 years and has danced with such distinguished companies as The Dance Theatre of Harlem and The Princeton Ballet.
As Director of The Joffrey’s ECE programs, Mr. Lockett combines his passion for dance and his desire to inspire youth through invigorating dance programs. He has worked extensively with youths from the Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Park District and various dance schools throughout the country.
Mr. Lockett received the Princess Grace Award for Dance in 1984 and the Black Theatre Alliance/Ira Aldridge Award for Best Performance in a Music or Dance Program in 1999. In June of 2006, he received the Artist of the Year Award from the Hyde Park School of Ballet.
The Joffrey’s Teaching Artists and ECE staff have reputable qualifications in both dance and education. After having worked in dance and special education for many years, Laura Seno joined The Joffrey as a Teaching Artist in 2005-2006. Ms. Seno has also been instrumental in developing the curricula for The Nutcracker and Shakespeare Programs. Elizabeth Millman has played an integral role in the ECE program as both an instructor and administrator. Ms. Millman, who recently completed her studies in dance and French at Northwestern University, brings energy and a fresh perspective to the department. Since the staff represents a broad range of expertise, each member has something unique to contribute to the program. Due to their diverse backgrounds, these talented instructors create well-rounded educational programs and foster an enriching atmosphere in which children thrive.
To learn more about our programs and how you can get involved, please e-mail [email protected] or call Pierre Lockett at 312.386.8931.