Please welcome the newest intern at The Whole Dancer

Hi, my name is Jessie Frazier! I’m a freelance dancer and teacher in the Philadelphia area. I’ve danced with companies such as BalletFleming, Ballet 180, Dance Del Bello, as well as independent projects in Philly and Kansas City.

After graduating from the Rock School, I studied at SUNY Purchase College as a dance major. After three semesters I changed gears: I moved back home, joined BalletFleming, transferred to Temple University, and changed my major to Journalism.

My first journalism class was a basic write every type of article you find in a newspaper. Pounding the pavement quickly pushed me out of my comfort zone. The class was also a nice distraction from a stress fracture in my L2 vertebrae that put me on the sidelines.

At the studio, I got so sick of watching class that I started helping with admin duties. I was creating social media posts to promote shows, writing for the company blog, helping with fundraiser events. I later moved on to writing funding grants, creating playbills, and organizing the company schedule (which I did with a full rehearsal schedule once I recovered).

Unfortunately, my time at Temple University did not last long because my class schedule conflicted with my rehearsal schedule. I transferred to University of Massachusetts Amherst’s University Without Walls (read: online) program. I was able to take classes online at night and dance during the day.

Five years, three colleges, and two majors later, I finally graduated a year ago with a degree in Writing for the Media and a certificate in Journalism.

During college and the beginning of my professional career, I developed a very negative, unhealthy relationship with food. Two years ago, I got help and completely changed my relationship with food and how I fuel my body. As a result, I wanted to find a way to encourage dancers to live physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy lives. I was so excited when I found The Whole Dancer, because Jess is such a strong advocate of creating healthy dancers.

To me, being a whole dancer is finding your personal balance of mental, physical, and emotional health. For me that means: fueling my body for rehearsals, taking care of injuries, cross training. I love heated power flow yoga for both cross training and meditation. I’m also a certified Pilates mat instructor, so I integrate Pilates into my pre-class and cross training routine.

I make a point of finding inspiration outside of dance. I love music so I go hear the orchestra, see friends play in their bands, and attend musicals in New York or Philly. My family is really into hiking, so during my time off I go on hikes. My favorite place to hike near me is Valley Forge Park.

The most important thing I’ve learned about keeping myself balanced is having a strong, loving, supporting group of friends and family.