Khilea Jessup

Biography

Khilea (Douglass) Jessup embodies over two decades of enchanting dance mastery, ignited by her transformative journey at the Baltimore School for the Arts. At the tender age of 15, she illuminated stages at The Dance Theater of Harlem, setting the course for a remarkable trajectory. Post-graduation, a scholarship beckoned her to the Ailey School in N.Y., propelling her onto national tours with Ailey II. Her artistic spirit found a home in Los Angeles, where she graced the spotlight as a soloist with the Lula Washington Dance Theater and left an indelible mark in the film "Something New."

In 2005, Khilea's dance odyssey reached new heights as she joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, enchanting audiences worldwide for six transformative years. The Broadway stage welcomed her in 2011 as a cast member of The Lion King, marking a pinnacle in her artistic journey.

Certified to impart the art of ballet through the American Ballet Theater National Training Curriculum, Mrs. Jessup is a beacon of guidance, placing profound importance on the emotional and mental well-being of her students. Further enriching her expertise, Khilea delved into Dance Science at California State University of Long Beach and Pilates at the Pilates Institute of Southern California.

Today, as the visionary founder and executive director of Holistic Dance Arts LLC, Khilea champions dance as a conduit for profound healing, personal growth, and transformation. Her teachings, rooted in science and holistic principles, emanate inspiration, and she is joyously committed to guiding and evolving with future generations, fostering boundless growth through the extraordinary power of movement.

Education (2)

American Ballet Theater: American Ballet Theater National Training Curriculum, National Ballet Teacher’s Training 2015

CSU Long Beach: B.A., Dance Science 2019

Social

Areas of Expertise (4)

Yoga

Modern

Ballet

Pilates

Industry Expertise (3)

Fitness

Fine Art

Education/Learning

Accomplishments (1)

Holistic Dance Arts LLC (professional)

In 2023, I achieved a significant milestone by launching Holistic Dance Arts LLC at Liv'art Dance Studio. Through this endeavor, I curated and conducted weekly dance classes for adults, creating a space for artistic expression, self-healing modalities, and community engagement. This accomplishment reflects my dedication to offering a holistic dance experience, enriching the lives of participants through the joy of movement and self-expression.

Affiliations (1)

• The Lula Washington Dance Theater