2022-2023 ACTivate Residency

Janelle Gilchrist is a professional ballet dancer and choreographer. She is the founder and director of Janelle Gilchrist Dance Troupe which performs original works created by Janelle. The troupe has performed at the Strand Theater, Oberon Cambridge, Dance for World Community, Dance Complex, Somerville Dancing in the Streets Series, and the Mills Art Gallery.

Janelle has trained extensively throughout her life in ballet, modern dance and other styles at Harriet Hoctor Ballet School, Boston Ballet School, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre, Broadway Theater Project, Concord Academy, Dance Theater of Harlem, and the Hartt School in Connecticut where she earned a BFA in Dance. Janelle has performed as a company dancer at the Hartford Ballet, the New Jersey Ballet, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre, City Ballet Boston, and Tony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker where she made her debut as the Sugar Plum Fairy. She was Principal of the Jose Mateo Ballet School in Dorchester, has taught at Tony Williams Dance Center, Step by Step, and Boston University’s Reach program, a dance intensive and service program for teens.

Janelle currently works full time as a dance instructor at Boston Arts Academy, part-time assistant professor of dance at Boston Conservatory, and rehearses Janelle Gilchrist Dance Troupe for upcoming performances.