JENNIFER MULLER
(Artistic Director/Choreographer)

has been an influence in the dance world for over 40 years. With her visionary approach to dance / theater, innovative multi-discipline productions incorporating the spoken word, live and commissioned music, artist-inspired decor and unusual production elements, Muller has defied convention and created a distinct signature style, educational approach and philosophy.  She founded The Works in 1974 and has created over 90 pieces including 5 full-evening productions and innovative multi-discipline productions combining spoken dialogue with dance as well as designing lights, decor and costumes under the design designation, Stageworks. Known for her history of notable collaborations, she has worked with such artists as Keith Haring, Sandro Chia, Keith Jarrett and Yoko Ono, among many others.

Invited to create and restage pieces for 24 international repertory companies in 9 countries, Ms. Muller has worked with Nederlands Dans Theater, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Lyon Opera Ballet, Tanz-Forum Köln, Ballet Contemporaneo de Argentina and Israel's Bat Dor, to name a few.  An award-winning choreographer, Ms. Muller has created productions for The Public Theater, 2nd Stage Theater, NY Stage & Film, Juilliard Opera Center and the New York City Opera and directed Peter Maxwell Davis' Le Jongleur...

Internationally renowned as a teacher and mentor of creative talent, Ms. Muller developed a personalized technique, informed by Eastern philosophy, which is taught worldwide. She has headlined workshops in creativity, collaboration and choreography in Europe and the US, originated arts awareness programs for inner-city youth and developed unique programs in creative thinking for dancers and non-dancers alike. Alumni of The Works teach her techniques, establishing accredited programs worldwide.

Creating pieces since age 7, she began dancing professionally at age 15 with Pearl Lang Dance Company. A honors graduate of The Juilliard School, she spent 9 years as Principal Dancer with the Jose Limon Company and 7 years as Associate Artistic Director of the Louis Falco Dance Company. Her work has been seen on stage in 41 countries and on television on four continents. One of only 30 international artists, Ms. Muller was honored in 2003 by being chosen as a founding member of the World Arts Council in Valencia, Spain.

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JOHN BROOKS
(Associate Artistic Director)

graduated from Cornell University with a degree in horticulture. In Boston, he danced with Dance Collective and Concert Dance Company and in NYC, with Bill T. Jones /Arnie Zane and Company. Mr. Brooks began working with Jennifer Muller in 1983. Mr. Brooks has assisted Ms. Muller on creations and reconstructed her work for Alvin Ailey, NDT 3, Ballet Contemporaneo, Ballet du Nord, Dansgroep Krisztina de Chatel, Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal, Ballet Stagium, Staatsoper Dresden and numerous student productions. Mr. Brooks  was the program director at The Dance Loft (Switzerland) for four years and has taught worldwide. He choreographed for the Olga Dunn Dance Company, Nini Melvin and Heywood McGriff, collaborated with Ms. Muller on the creation of HUMAN/NATURE and premiered four works for the company's Joyce Theater seasons.

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SUSANNA BOZZETTI
(Dancer)

a native of Rome, Italy, began her professional dance training at London Contemporary Dance School in England.  She continued her studies at The Juilliard School, graduating in 1997.  While at Juilliard, she toured Argentina under the direction of Hector Zaraspe, where she taught, performed and choreographed.  She has worked with such choreographers as Robert Battle, Sue Bernhard, George Faison, Laura Glenn, Ted Hersey and Metaz Malatialy.  Ms. Bozzetti is a certified gyrotonics instructor.

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ELIZABETH DISHAROON
(Dancer)

from Baltimore, Maryland, graduated from The Juilliard School with Scholastic Distinction in 2001. She has since performed with Andrew Jannetti & Dancers, Robin Becker Dance Collective, Pascal Rekoert/ MidGetDance, Sue Bernhard/Danceworks, Saba Dance Theater and J Mandle Performance, and has toured internationally with Lori Belilove & Company for five years, performing and teaching the work of Isadora Duncan.  Ms. Disharoon has also presented her own choreography at The Juilliard Theater, The Clark Studio Theater, Alice Tully Hall and in her own evening at the Storm Theater on 46th Street.

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ROSIE LANI FIEDELMAN
(Dancer)

from Breckenridge, Colorado, trained at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and University of Colorado subsequently graduating from the Fordham University/Alvin Ailey BFA program. Ms. Fiedelman has performed with Interweave Dance Theater, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Calvin Wiley Dance Theater and Roger C. Jeffrey's, "Subtle Changes," where she is Mr. Jeffrey's assistant.  Ms. Fiedelman is currently an ensemble member of “In The Heights.”  She has worked with Kevin "Iega" Jeff, Ronald K. Brown, Darrell Moultrie, John Paollilo, Camille A. Brown and David Moore and appeared on "Live with Regis and Kelly."  She has also choreographed for Manhattan Children's Theater. 

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JOSIAH GUITIAN
(Dancer)

born and raised in Minot, ND, Josiah has performed with Yaa Samar Dance Theatre, Jessica Lang Dance Project and in numerous productions at The Ailey School, including Revelations for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 2005 Grand Opening Ceremony.  He was a participant in the 2004 Youth American Grand Prix Regional & National Competitions and studied at Washington School of Ballet and Phoenix Rising Contemporary Dance Centre. He is pursuing a degree from Ailey/Fordham Bachelor of Fine Arts program.

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GEN HASHIMOTO
(Dancer)

born in Chiba, Japan, started his training in dance and acting at Japan University of Arts. Since moving to New York in 1999, he has danced with Igal Perry, Javier Dzul, Mary Seidman & Dancers, Faine Dance Troupe and Nathan Trice, with whom he performed at Summerstage in Central Park in 2002. He studied with The Works during its Peridance Summer Intensive before joining the company in 2003.

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COURTNEY D. JONES
(Dancer)

born in Houston, Texas, graduated from SUNY Purchase where she received her B.F.A. with honors in dance and a Minor in Psychology.  At Purchase, she performed works by Merce Cunningham, Jose Limon, Doug Varone, Kevin Wynn, Jacquelyn Buglisi, Roger C. Jeffrey, Michael Foley, and Jane Weiner.  In 1999, she was awarded the prestigious Presidential Scholar in the Arts award in Washington, DC for choreography.  As well, Ms. Jones works in arts education in the NYC public schools and teaches dance in the White Plains, NY area.  This is her second season with The Works.

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ABDUL LATIF
(Dancer)

a native New Yorker, received his BS from Wesleyan University in Political Science and Theater and his MFA from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts.  He has danced for Jennifer Muller/The Works, Donald Byrd/The Group, Dwight Rhoden's Complexions and was a guest soloist with Catanach Ballet and Dances Petrelli.  Mr.Latif has also performed the works of Doug Varone, Mark Dendy, Douglas Becker and Earl Mosley.  Mr.Latif has performed in The Lion King and Hairspray on Broadway, and performed in West Side Story at the La Scala Opera House.  He recently completed his second film Across The Universe and choreographed for the 20th anniversary BCEFA annual Easter Bonnet at the New Amsterdam Theater.

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SEIKO FUJITA-MAEKAWA
(Dancer)

began classical ballet training in Japan when she was three years old. While in Japan, she worked in venues such as Tokyo Disney Land and Ballet Studio DUO. In 1997, she came to New York and studied at The Alvin Ailey School. She has danced with Von Ussar Danceworks since 1997 and with Elinor Coleman Dance Ensemble, Footprints Dance Company and Fred Benjamin Dance Company.

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TERRENCE A. POPLAR
(Dancer)

a native of Kansas City, MO, began dancing at Ailey Camp, and continued his training with Smith Sisters dance studio, Westport Ballet Theater, Kansas City Ballet, The Center Dance, Paseo Academy of the Fine and Performing Arts from which he graduated, Joffrey Ballet and The Ailey School. He has been a member of Williams Henry Dance Theater, Fred Benjamin Dance Co., Earl Mosley Diversity dance theater, and Ailey II. He has also performed with Mystic Rhythms of Tokyo Disney Sea and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. He also is currently a member of Battleworks Dance Co. Terrence has taught throughout the U.S. in various schools such as Ailey Camp, The Ailey School, Arkansas Ballet, Greenhouse and in a lot of outreach programs. He also has taught internationally.

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PASCAL REKOERT
(Dancer)

a native of The Nederlands, danced with Dancetheatre Arena and Blok & Steel in various productions. Performing with Bronkhorst & Jongewaard, he received the coveted Prix du Bonheur du Rue St-Denis in Paris, France in 1999. With his own company MidGetDance, he has presented work throughout Europe and the US east coast.  A member of The Works since 2000,  Mr. Rekoert is the administrator for The Works' HATCH Presenting Series.

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JEN THOMPSON
(Dancer)

from St. Joseph, Michigan, graduated cum laude from the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. program in 2006. There she performed works by Robert Battle, David Parsons, Jane Comfort, Takehiro Ueyama and Alvin Ailey. She has danced professionally with Jane Comfort and Company and Pascal Rekoert/MidGetDance and was a scholarship student at The Works before joining the company in 2007.  Ms. Thompson teaches children creative movement throughout New York City and is also a freelance writer/proofreader for Dance Magazine.