The Joffrey Academy of Dance Announces Third Annual Choreographers of Color Award Recipients

San Diego native, Jeremy McQueen has appeared in the 1st Broadway National Tours of Wicked and The Color Purple in addition to the New York City and National Touring companies of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. McQueen, a 2008 graduate of The Ailey School/Fordham University, B.F.A in Dance program, has presented his choreographic works throughout New York City, including the seventh annual Dance From The Heart concert presented by Dancers Responding to AIDS, the Young Choreographer's Festival held at Symphony Space, and the Dance Gallery Festival. In July 2012, McQueen's choreography was featured in the 80th Anniversary of the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival - Inside/Out series. Most recently, McQueen was named a finalist for the 2012 Capezio Award for Choreographic Excellence (Capezio A.C.E. Award).

McQueen began his training at the California Ballet School and the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts. McQueen has also trained as a scholarship recipient with the San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and Alonzo King's LINES Ballet. He has taught at the Peridance Capezio Center, Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Steps on Broadway, and numerous high schools, universities and dance studios around the country. He is currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center in New York City.

LaQuan Smith has always had a love for fashion and design, but at the age of 13, his grandmother passed on her old Singer sewing machine for him to practice on. LaQuan began with simple patterns and then developed his own techniques on creating garments. In 2007, after graduating from high school, LaQuan began working as an intern at Blackbook, a prominent magazine in New York City. After realizing his fashion thirst was not yet quenched, LaQuan began exploring his design talents. In 2008, he created his self-titled designer brand. Multiple fashion experiences and pure ambition have opened doors for LaQuan, allowing him to work with some of the industry's top models and photographers. He started off designing custom pieces for an array of celebrities, pop culture icons, and artists including: Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Tyra Banks, Sessilee Lopez, and fashion personality Andre J, among many others.

The Winning Works program will also include a world premiere by Alexei Kremnev, titled Carnival of the Animals. The piece will include Camille Saint-Saens's most famous music score, breathtaking costumes from Gabriel Hanson and stunning performances from the international cast of young dancers from Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Australia, France, Japan, Korea and US.

Ticket Information
Tickets for the Choreographers of Color Award 2013: Winning Works at the Harris Theater are $18 in advance or $22 at the door and will be available as of January 8, 2013 by calling the Harris Theater Box Office at 312-334-7777 or online at www.harristheaterchicago.org.