Jon Lehrer

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Teacher Bio

Jon Lehrer was raised in Queens, NY and received his B.F.A in Dance from the University at Buffalo where he took his very first dance class at age 19 on a dare from a girlfriend.

As a professional, Jon has danced with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, Paul Sanasardo, John Passafiume Dancers, in Merv Griffin's Funderful in Atlantic City, NJ and the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular in Branson, MO. In 1997, he was hired by Giordano Jazz...read more

Jon Lehrer was raised in Queens, NY and received his B.F.A in Dance from the University at Buffalo where he took his very first dance class at age 19 on a dare from a girlfriend.

As a professional, Jon has danced with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, Paul Sanasardo, John Passafiume Dancers, in Merv Griffin's Funderful in Atlantic City, NJ and the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular in Branson, MO. In 1997, he was hired by Giordano Jazz Dance, and, after three years was promoted to Rehearsal Director and then given the position of Associate Director two years after that. During his ten years with Giordano, he also became the resident choreographer, creating seven original works on the company.

Jon has taught at numerous universities, festivals, and schools around the world and has set his choreography on several professional and collegiate dance companies. Jon has received many honors and awards including the Distinguished Alumni Award from University at Buffalo Zodiaque Dance Company, Chicago National Association of Dance Master’s Artistic Achievement Award, University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award, and the ‘Rising Star” SPARK Award for being an integral part of the Buffalo, NY arts and cultural community.

In July 2007, Jon moved to Buffalo, New York to begin his highly-anticipated professional dance company. The company showcases his unique choreography and definitive style. His extensive background in both the modern and jazz dance idioms fosters choreography that is organic, artistic, accessible and often humorous, reflecting life experience and the human condition. In their short history, the company has received much national and international recognition and critical acclaim, keeping audiences around the world and throughout the US on the edge of their seats with their trademark athletic style.

As Dance Magazine said, “Lehrer Dance took the house not so much by storm as by quantum physics. Jon Lehrer's strikingly original choreography transformed the stage into an energy field of super-charged particles.”

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Class Descriptions

Contemporary

Jon Lehrer’s class revolves around the world of physics. We use physics to propel us through space, balance, turn, jump, and move our bodies. The 4 main elements focused on are circularity, 3-dimensionality, oppositional energy, and momentum. Along with Newton’s Laws of Motion, these combine to create an efficient, effective, and engrossing style of movement we call “Organic Atheticsm." Students will gain valuable insight into the art and athleticism of dance as well as how physics and dance are directly related.

Take class and learn Jon Lehrer Dance’s world renown repertoire and experience why Dance Magazine said, “Lehrer Dance is on the cusp of jazz/modern fusion".