OUR MENTORS

April Henehan, MFA Choreography and the recipient of the ‘22-23 Hicks Choreography Fellowship’ with Jacob’s Pillow most recently taught for two years at Jacksonville University and spent 8 years on Faculty at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, where she was the director of the Creative Dance Ensemble.  April’s first professional experience came at the age of 16 performing for “Jacksonville Symphony’s: First Coast Nutcracker;” and her early professional experiences continued with companies: Ka'Mia Contemporary Dance Theatre & A Rhythm Nation, as a semi-finalist on Season 4 of FOX's hit show “So You Think You Can Dance,” and as a semi-finalist on BRAVO TV’s “Step It Up & Dance.” Additional performance credits include works by: Demetrius Klein, Douglas Gawriljuk, Yanis Pikieris, Ronen Koresh, Michael Foley, Mia Michaels, Adele Myers, Eddy Toussaint, Kavin Grant, Cathy Young, Alyn Cassal, Bill Evans, Amanda Coogan, Amy Miller, and Nita Little. Besides being a seasoned performer, April’s choreography and leadership as a dance practitioner has been recognized internationally by ChoreoLab Europe and featured in articles for POINTE Magazine, Dance Magazine, Dance Spirit Magazine, and Dance Teacher Magazine. Further teaching and choreographic credits include the Candice Glover, Florida Dance Festival, Cal State University Long Beach, Santa Fe College, Jacksonville University, Lindenwood University, Brenau University, University of Florida, Jacob’s Pillow 360 Intensive, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, LaVilla School of the Arts, New World School of the Arts, Episcopal School of Jacksonville, the Movement Talent Agency, DanceLook, American College Dance Association, National College Dance Festival, Institute of Classical & Modern Dance (Mumbai), and Dance Ireland (Dublin).  April holds certification in both Progressing Ballet & Contemporary Techniques, and last year she assisted Andrew Winghart on his new dance film, Is Anyone Receiving the Data? (2023) during his residency with CLI Conservatory.