Jermaine McGhee, MFA
Lecturer of Dance in the College of Communications and Fine Arts | Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA, UNITED STATES
Biography
Jermaine McGhee, MFA, is a distinguished scholar, educator, and artist whose career spans concert and commercial dance at the highest levels. A former principal dancer with the LA and San Francisco Opera, his repertoire includes critically acclaimed works such
as the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera Omar. In addition to his concert dance achievements, Jermaine has performed for renowned artists and productions, including Kanye West, Disney, The Masked Singer, and a variety of notable film and television projects.
An alumnus of Saint Mary’s College of California, where he earned his BA with honors, and a graduate of the MFA Creative Practice program, Jermaine’s academic inquiry centers on the intersection of identity, Africanist aesthetics, and their integration into
American culture. His choreographic investigations articulate a dialogue between diasporic movement traditions and Eurocentric frameworks, creating a rich, interdisciplinary approach to contemporary dance practice.
Jermaine’s pedagogical approach blends rigorous technical training in ballet, jazz, modern, and street dance forms with a deep commitment to somatic and embodied learning. His extensive industry experience, both on stage and behind the scenes, positions him
to guide students not only in academic settings but also in navigating the professional dance world with agency and artistry.
Trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater under the direction of the late Denise Jefferson, Jermaine remains dedicated to advancing diversity, social justice, and cultural representation in dance education. His work continually strives to cultivate
spaces of innovation, inclusion, and excellence in the next generation of dance professionals.
Education (2)
Saint Mary's College of California: BA, Visual and Performing Arts 2028
Saint Mary's College of California: MFA, Dance Creative Practice 2020
Certification from Saint Mary's College of California in Dance Stage Management
