Jason Winters

Performing

Jason Winters entry into the professional world came first with an apprenticeship to The DK Modern Dance Company in south Florida, he then moved to the corps de ballet, and eventually a soloist position with SBT in Orlando, Florida. After three years as a professional in the ballet world, Jason embarked on a 10 yr. working relationship with The Walt Disney World Company in Orlando, Florida and Tokyo Disneyland, Japan. He was a dancer/principal in 9 full-length shows (including Beauty & the Beast, Lion King, Tarzan Rocks, Pleasure Island, Encore, etc.) as well as countless commercial and industrial special events. In 1999, the Walt Disney Company asked him to be part of the creative team on an incredible new spectacular, entitled “Tapestry of Nations”, with over 1000 performers celebrating the new millennium. While living in Orlando, Jason also helped to form the prestigious Firestone hip-hop/jazz company, the first interactive performing experience catering to emerging dance music artists like BT, Moby, Deborah Cox, and Basement Jaxx.

After many years with Florida as his home, Jason had the opportunity to move to New York City and dance for one of the most prestigious organizations in the world, The Radio City Music Hall, NY, where he held a permanent position for 3 years. Immediately following his work with RCMH, as assistant to MARK DENDY, Jason helped to create the Off-Broadway show “Miracle Brothers”, at the award winning Vineyard Theater, as well as the Tony nominated Broadway spectacular by Boublil & Shonberg entitled “The Pirate Queen”. As assistant choreographer/dancer in the exclusive dance company of acclaimed choreographer MIA MICHAELS, Jason had the pleasure of working with Odyssey Dance Utah at the Jazz Dance World Congress, The New York Summer Dance Festival, and numerous other performances in North America.

Teaching / Choreography

Rounding out 2001, as associate producer, he helped to mount the Superbowl, the Academy Awards and The Grammy Awards, all in the same year, with artists such as U2, Madonna, Elton John, N’SYNC, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Aerosmith, Mary J. Blige, and Destiny’s Child to name a few. During this time Jason also freelanced as a young choreographer for many projects, including “Sunsation” at the world famous Atlantis Resort in Nassau, Bahamas, “River Walk Festival” in San Antonio, Texas, and on numerous corporate launch’s across America for companies like Mercedes Benz, Nike, Adidas, Tupperware, and BMW.

From 2004-2007 Jason would continue to assist Ms. MICHAELS on many global projects including Greek superstar Anna Vissi’s national concert tour “Nylon”, “So You Think You Can Dance” America & Canada, and the renowned Cirque de Soleil’s “DELIRIUM”, their largest touring production to date.

Jason soon moved into the next phase of his career as a master teacher and choreographer, holding a guest faculty position at Sydney Dance Company, Amsterdam Dance Centre, Fedes Belgium, The Joffery Ballet School, BROADWAY DANCE CENTER, STEPS on Broadway, New York City. At the same time, teaching workshops with organizations in North America such as Interlochen Arts Academy, Dance Masters of America, American Dance Awards, Vlad’s Dance Company, Canada, DanceFuzion-Canada’s Premier Dance Intensive, and many more.

In addition, Jason has choreographed for Australia’s “So You Think You Can Dance”, ABC Television’s “Dance Academy”, “Photo Finish”, and as 1 of 4 choreographers for the “Here I Am” project with Beyond Empathy, a week long intensive to create original work with young indigenous dancers from all over Australia. In 2014 Jason was featured as the lead actor/dancer in the Veronica’s No.1 hit “You Ruin Me”, in 2016 choreographer for the innovative film clip “Little Lover” for up and coming artist BROADHURST, in 2016 choreographer for the Emma Louise Australian tour, and in 2017 choreographer for the new Indie artist Fractures film clip ‘Time Frame’. Beginning in 2015, Mr. Winters founded “The Movement Experience – Youth Contemporary Dance Program”, a one on one mentoring and training intensive for aspiring dancers between the ages of 11-19, with a holistic approach to conditioning the body, mind, and spirit of young artists. Also in 2016 Jason was privileged to act as the Australian Artistic Director/Choreographer of a PBS documentary entitled ‘Dance the Dream’ – the 50yr celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

The Jason Winters Contemporary Syllabus

Since 2012, The Jason Winters Contemporary syllabus has been offered exclusively through CSTD, AU. This one of a kind Syllabus offers teachers and students a comprehensive program of training exclusively in the Jason Winters Contemporary dance technique. Having accumulated 25 years of experience and knowledge, Jason has built into this product 6 highly artistic and progressive Levels. Each one utilizing elements of Graham, Limon, and Horton all connected through Yoga and it’s primary focus on breath. Students who have already completed the training are currently dancing for major contemporary dance companies, enrolled in graduate programs in the top universities, working on Broadway and in West End productions, as well as shows for Cirque de Soleil, and commercial dance opportunities for some of the top recording artists in the world. The Jason Winters Contemporary Technique offers young dancers the opportunity to be physically and mentally challenged as artists, while guiding them into a well balanced and successful career.

“During my training as a student, The Jason Winters Contemporary Training was an important structure and guideline to becoming a powerful dancer. His Syllabus strongly focused on balance, core, kinesthetic awareness of the body and developing movement with precision and dynamics. All these methods really helped me in my lead up to being a contestant on Australia’s So You Think You Can Dance. For me personally, The Jason Winters Training&Technique was the absolute foundation of what makes me the dancer and performer I am today! – Robbie Kmetoni (Winner of Australia’s So You Think You Can Dance 2010)

“I was fortunate enough to be under the instruction of Mr. Winters for 3yrs, in which time I excelled technically, and with his guidance was able to achieve my goal of being accepted into the dance program at The Julliard School. I utilize Jason’s training and philosophies on a daily basis as it is a fundamental tool in my career and a gift I will have for the rest of my life!” – Ellie Swiatkiwsky (2014 graduate of The Julliard School, New York)