"Criticism & Culture of Ballet"

Christine Jowers is an acclaimed dancer, writer, editor, producer, educator, and the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Dance Enthusiast, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to dance journalism, documentation, audience engagement, and dance literacy. Since founding the publication in 2007, she has become one of the leading voices in dance criticism, creating innovative platforms that connect artists and audiences while supporting the work of dance writers worldwide. A professional dancer for more than 30 years, Jowers has performed works by legendary choreographers including Isadora Duncan, Doris Humphrey, Anna Sokolow, Murray Louis, Jean Erdman, and Paul Sansardo, among many others. As a producer and curator, she has created interdisciplinary programs celebrating dance history, women artists, and the legacy of modern dance. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Dance/USA's From the Green Room, The Dance Insider, The Hopkins Review, and The Huffington Post. Through The Dance Enthusiast, she pioneered innovative audience-engagement initiatives such as Audience Reviews, Dance Up Close, and Enthusiastic Events, programs that have broadened public participation in dance while fostering meaningful dialogue between artists, critics, and audiences. Throughout her career, Christine has remained deeply committed to education and mentorship. She has taught and lectured throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean, leading workshops on dance history, performance, choreography, and dance writing. She has also mentored emerging journalists, choreographers, and performers, helping cultivate the next generation of dance advocates and arts leaders. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with the 2022 New York Dance and Performance Award (The Bessie) for Service to the Field and the American Dance Guild Award for Distinguished Achievement in Dance. She has served on the boards of the Martha Graham Dance Company, Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Dance Guild. Today, Christine Jowers continues to champion dance through journalism, education, public engagement, and advocacy, helping preserve, document, and expand the appreciation of dance as a vital performing art. Through her vision and leadership, The Dance Enthusiast has become one of the most respected independent dance publications in the United States, inspiring artists and audiences around the world.