Meet Jessica Seawell | Dance Educator, Adjudicator & Choreographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Seawell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, how has your background shaped the person you are today?

I’m an Atlanta native and was raised with a strong foundation of family, faith and perseverance. I believe carrying those lessons has allowed me to develop my career into something larger than I ever imagined. I began my dance training at the early age of five. The moment I took my first Ballet/Tap combo class, I knew dance was something special. After class, I would come home to set up my pink ballet barre, put on my tutu and teach what I had learned in class that day. Throughout the years, I quickly advanced adding multiple genres and had the honor to perform in numerous notable productions. After years of technical and performance training, I decided to transition over to the competition world, where I began training under the industry’s most reputable educators and choreographers. Under their instruction, I trained five days a week in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Modern, Lyrical and Contemporary. Expanding my training, knowledge and experience allowed me to successfully perform in the Disney Christmas Day Parade hosted by ABC Family featuring Neil Patrick Harris. I was also selected to join the Radio City Rockettes in performing in the “World’s Largest Circular Kickline” for the Guinness Book of World Records and won multiple scholarships at national competitions and conventions.

After graduating, I continued teaching while developing a Georgia certified performing arts education curriculum for grades k-5. I then began furthering my knowledge of the dance industry by advancing my position to director of an award-winning competition studio. During my time as director, I was able to learn more aspects of the dance industry, gain higher-level education and advance my choreography skills. This contributed to me being recognized for my meticulous eye for precise movement, technique and musicality. Moving forward, I was approached with multiple opportunities to further my career and join forces with some of the nation’s most elite dance competitions and conventions as a national adjudicator and master teacher. Becoming part of the renowned competition world has exceeded all expectations in the most uplifting way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a national dance educator, adjudicator and choreographer. I specialize in tap, choreography, choreography cleaning and focus on all technical aspects of dance. I am known for my meticulous eye for precise movement, clean choreography, technique and musicality which help advance dance education and clean choreography. In addition to my unique rhythm-based tap style, my precise eye allows me to adjudicate at a more broad and advanced level. Through my years of learning and educating, I am most proud of how far I have come from the little girl who walked into dance class for the first time years ago. I have been blessed to achieve more than I could have ever imagined and am excited to see what the future holds. It has not always been an easy road because of many unforeseeable obstacles. However, the outcome has always been greater than any struggle along the way. When faced with an obstacle, I look at the situation from all angles, stay humble and remind myself of how far I’ve come. Though I have learned many lessons throughout my years of training and teaching, I have found that staying humble and selfless achieves much more than racing the clock. Helping others achieve their goals is one of the greatest accomplishments anyone can have.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta offers so many memorable experiences of museums, concerts, fine dining, pro sport games and so much more that the options of a fun time are endless. For a friend visiting, I would want to check out some prime spots. A day starting out touring the belt line and stopping by the aquarium followed by a luxurious spa at the Omni, dinner at my favorite restaurant, Trader Vic’s located in the Hilton Atlanta and ending the night with a fun time at TopGolf.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My journey has been blessed with many inspiring and admirable people that have contributed to my success. My grandparents paved a strong path of integrity and I strive to always uphold their legacy. I am eternally grateful for my parents’ endless love and support throughout my dance training, career and life. Being the youngest child with three older brothers, I have to thank them for always sitting through my long dance recitals and encouraging me to push myself. I have been blessed with a wonderful second family and a strong group of friends who are the best support system and are always present to celebrate life’s endeavors. Lastly, I would like to thank my teachers for instilling the importance of technique, determination and strength.

Instagram: jess_seawell95

Facebook: Jessica Seawell

Other: email: jseawell95@gmail.com

Image Credits
Stacey Boling’s Photography