Originally from Salisbury, NC, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Batten is a dancer/choreographer interested in Afrocentric movement and rhythms and how the two create the perfect marriage on stage. Her diverse movement background plays a large part in her movement studies and interests. In addition to training in ballet, modern techniques such as Cunningham and Safety Release, traditional West and South African dance, and specializing in jazz funk/hip hop, she also has a background in stepping, cheerleading and musical theatre. Jacquelyn has been fortunate enough to display her knowledge in various works, such as, the Piedmont Player’s production of “CHICAGO”, works by School of Dance faculty members BJ Sullivan and Maurice Watson, various concept videos, and on multiple stages and events around the Triad, including the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston Salem, NC.
Jackie is currently an undergraduate at UNC Greensboro studying Dance Performance and Choreography with a minor in Arts Administration. She has also had the privilege of studying abroad at the University of Cape Town in Cape Town, South Africa, where she trained in Safety Release, Horton, traditional South African dance cultures, and ballet. Jacquelyn was also fortunate enough to be apart of two performance works during her short time at UCT. She will be presenting her thesis work “afro-” in April of 2018 and will be graduating December of that same year. After completing her degree at UNC Greensboro, Jacquelyn plans on teaching, training, and performing in the Greensboro and surrounding areas until she makes the artist's’ pilgrimage to New York City to continue pursuing a career in movement and arts business in the gallery realm.