New LEJA Dances, the
company History
Jaye Allison’s New LEJA Dances, the company (Leon Evans
Jaye Allison) believes the art
of dance stimulates, motivates and develop both body and spirit, relating one
to another. We stand upon these principles to professionally develop dancers.
Additionally, we strive to create an appreciation of dances through
performance, classes, workshops and individual lessons for all regardless of
race, age, gender or physical ability. The company was founded as extension
and outlet for Allison’s talents as a performer, choreographer, producer and
teacher.
New LEJA Dances envisions a world filled with human potential and avenues for
people to achieve their goals. We develop dancers and dances of a professional
quality and create performance opportunities to the community regardless of
age, race, gender, and physical ability. By providing excellent theater and
focusing on community, we strive to be a significant force in the evolution of
tradition. We invite people to realize the potential of the human spirit in
the creative process as well as evoking a connection with our audience. The
works created by New LEJA Dances demonstrate our commitment to excellence,
evolving tradition and spiritual connection.
Renamed in the fall of 1998, New LEJA Dances, the company Dances
brings the next generation of professional dancers to audiences in
Philadelphia and New Jersey. New LEJA Dances, the company was the featured
dance component in Festival Mozart’s (NJ) “the Bartered
Bride”, Opera in
1999 ‘I AM’,
was launched as a work-in-progress at the Community Education Center to sold
out audiences. That response hailed a promising resurgence for 2 consecutive
years. New LEJA Dances, the company
was selected to share in an evening concert in the mega dance event of “2000
Feet” produced by the Philadelphia Dance Alliance and the University of the
Arts. The 2001 season concluded with a summer workshop program. The following
2002 season included the DO DROP IN concert festival at the
Community Education Center where works, ‘The Gift’
and ‘Black Jazz 101 the suite’
, premiered. The 2003 season combined New LEJA Dances, the company dances with
Dancefusion and Underground DanceWorks in DEDICATION…Three in
Tandem, Dance. It was a tribute concert to honor those that have had lasting
impressions on the careers of each of the directors at the International
House. Returning to the CEC for season 2004 with, FLASH,
which celebrated Jaye Allison’s 25 year career as a teacher, dancer and
finally a director.
That special concert was organized in documentary in dance form to include all
facets of her artistic realm to both allow audiences and dancers on several
levels and sides of dance spectrums access to one another and concurrently
opened the door to celebrate National Tap Dance Day (forerunner to JAPTC).
2005 was an exceptional change
of artistic pace as NLD performed DANGEROUS PASSIONS
at the Iron Gate Theater. Co-produced with MTI, this double bill featured 2
full length world premier works in progress with passion as its corresponding
theme. National Tap dance day celebrated with the first Philly Tap
Challenge 05’ “ON FIRE!”
tap dancers and local area headliners demonstrated the value of tradition in
contemporary times.
In 2006, LEJA 25! The Silver Anniversary Farewell Concert
rejuvenated retro works through live dance and multi-media as well as
premiered new works, in hopes of ending an era and closing the door with joy,
and clarity on a past that has added to the tapestry and cultural fabric of
Philadelphia. 2007
began New LEJA’s presenting platform, exchanging the concert stage for the
festival venue.
New LEJA Dances, the company has a history of receiving grants from
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), the Philadelphia Cultural Fund and The
5 County Arts Fund.
Jaye Allison’s New LEJA Dances, the company
is the culmination of 3 years of research, development and organizational
commitment under the name J. Ajalon Dances (JAD) established in 1995. JAD lent
the opportunity to create a fully functional pick-up dance company that
brought a fresh breath to traditional dance. During that time, JAD organized
small self-productions; ‘BARE BONES’
, a company-in-progress showcase that not only featured the company dancers
and the repertory, but also, Allison’s choreography for; the physically
disabled, children of the Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center’ s Children’s School of
Performing Arts, and the tap dancing of the older adults from the Center in
the Park. JAD co-produced ‘Love Is…A Vibrant Celebration’
, with Wild Child Productions at the Arts Bank. JAD work shopped with the late
Rod Rodgers of Rod Rodgers Dance Company and the late Raymond Harris of
Seraphim Dance Theater in New York City. JAD delighted audiences at the Black
Family Reunion’s Heritage Festival, A Taste of the Westside, The Art Jam,
National Tap Dance Day and several small performances in older adult homes and
other venues until 1999 when JAD rebirthed as Jaye Allison’s New LEJA
Dances, the company.