Mr. Jon Lehrer Jon had the honor of being Associate Director, Resident Choreographer, and 10-year company member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago (GJDC). Jon took his very first dance class at the age of 19 at the University at Buffalo on a dare from his girlfriend. After only two years of training he was asked to join UB's highly acclaimed Zodiaque Dance Company. In the summer of 1994, Jon received a scholarship to study at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, taking classes from Carolyn Adams, Danny Grossman, Mark Morris, Margie Gillis, Gail Gilbert, and David Parsons. In 1995 Jon returned home to New York City and continued his training on scholarship at the Joffrey Ballet School, Broadway Dance Center, and Peridance. Jon got his first professional opportunity as a company member with the John Passafiume Dancers. In 1995, Jon was hired by the Erick Hawkins Dance Company and toured the world for a year with one of modern dances most influential artist. In 1996, Jon took a job dancing for Merv Griffin in Atlantic City, NJ. In 1997, Jon was hired by Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. In 2000, Jon was promoted to Rehearsal Director and then to Associate Director in 2002. After 10 years of performing with GJDC, Jon focused on his position as Associate Director, working side by side with Artistic Director Nan Giordano and Executive Director Ben Hodge. Jon also acted as Tour Manager and was the company's resident choreographer creating seven original works for GJDC receiving rave reviews world wide. In addition to his works on GJDC, Jon has choreographed on several dance companies in Chicago and around the world. Jon teaches master classes throughout the U.S. and around the world, is on the faculty of the Jazz Dance World Congress, Dance Masters of America, Dance Teacher Summer Conference, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Chicago Dance Connection. In 2000, Jon was one of four choreographers and teachers invited to the Jazz Dance Festival/New Generation (Ekaterinburg, Russia). In 2003 Jon had the honor of receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University at Buffalo Zodiaque Dance Company for his accomplishments as a dancer/choreographer. Jon is on the Advisory Board of Dance Spirit Magazine and was featured on the November 2007 cover of Dance Teacher Magazine. In July 2007, Jon Lehrer officially began his exciting new dance company, LehrerDance showcasing Jon's unique choreography, enabling him to cultivate and continue creating a definitive and original style. Jon's extensive experience in both the modern and jazz dance idioms allows him to create dances that are organic, artistic, accessible, often humorous, and always inspired by life experience and the human condition. Back to Instructor List