NYU Tisch Dance Welcomes Three New Adjuncts

NYU Tisch Dance is welcoming three new adjuncts to our team of brilliant dance artists. Jeannine Otis will be teaching our MA/MFA students "20th Century Music," one of three music courses Tisch graduate students take during their course work. Leyland Simmons and Chalvar Monteiro will be joining us as technique instructors. Please read their bios below as we welcome them to Team Tisch Dance!

Jeannine Otis ( Jahneen) (Wellesley College BA with honors, Emerson College MA with honors teaching Fellow) continues to enjoy a successful and eclectic career .Her jazz roots spring from her family history including the late Adrienne Otis, Elaine Jones, Thad Jones, and Hank Jones have all served as a source of inspiration in her work. She has worked for many years as an educational consultant for arts  programming including: the Department of Cultural Affairs, The Staten Island Museum, SUNDOG Theater, ENACT, The Creative Arts Team at NYU, Marymount College,   in Japan, Austria, and as well with Vishnu Wood and Safari East. They have performed and lead educational workshops and programs in many places including: Lincoln Center Just for Kids Series, The Jazz Foundation, The CAPS (Creative Achievement Program in the Schools), a citywide program sponsored by the  UNITED WAY, workshops in London with the Jiving Lindy Hoppers of London, and many more.  

As a performer Jeannine/Jahneen has been featured on many recordings as well as onstage. Her jazz recordings as a featured artist include being featured on REED SEED( a # 1 Billboard Jazz-Chart Hit) with the late Grover Washington, INTO MY HEART released on 6/2019 and MAGIC SONG with Finnish Composer Laureate, Heikki Sarmanto and the Helsinki Philharmonic ( Also re-released as JEANNINE OTIS and THE STRINGS OF THE HELSINKI PHILHARMONIC), which is currently being listened to all over the world including Asia.  As a performer she as hailed by New York Times critic Anthony Tomassini as a ‘showstopper ‘ for her performance in THE CRADLE WILL ROCK . She has been involved in Theater for Change for decades and has worked in many settings including work with Elizabeth Swados, Eve Ensler and James Lescene , Freedom Train for Tony winning Theatreworks USA for 18years and many others.    FREEDOM TRAIN travelled the country and was performed  ]at TOWN HALL, the FOX Theater in ATLANTA, and The Grand Ole Opry. She also works on performance events with the Rural and Migrant Ministries Outreach for the Episcopal Church.  She recently also Directed the successful touring production of ‘ A NEW YORK LAMENTATION’  by Rev Chuck Kramer about slavery in NY and it’s relationship to the history of the Episcopal Church This project was sponsored by the Reparations Committee of the Episcopal Church. 

She is the recipient of many awards including a LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD from the City Council of New York, a ‘Willie’ Award for her work with the Staten Island Shakespeare Theater on the production of DOUBT , awards for her extensive work as a music director/outreach coordinator at Saint Marks Church in-the Bowery, the William A. Morris Humanitarian Award from the NAACP,  and recognition from the Wellelsey Alumnae Association. Her book, ‘ little book “the Gathering: words from an Urban Community has been presented as a contemporary classical piece entitled WHO AM I that uses spoken word pieces as the inspiration.  The piece has been performed in Houston, Texas, at The La Ma Ma Theatre and at the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian 8/18/2019 and features celebrated performer Anthony Turner. Her piece that celebrates THREE KINGS written with the Elizabeth Swados mentor/friend and Lois Bohevesky, Hudson Vagabond Puppet Company, has been presented in various settings for many years to celebrate the holiday As a part of this performance food and gifts are distributed to the families living in Homeless Shelters who are the primary audience. 

Leyland Simmons was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He began his formal dance training with Barbara Devereaux of the Royal Academy School of Dance in Anchorage, Alaska and the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy. He later studied at Interlochen Arts Academy, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Miami City Ballet, The School of American Ballet, Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn, The Ailey School and Ballet Divertimento in Montreal, Canada. Leyland is a Graduate of the Professional Performing Arts High School in New York City and a former member of Ailey 2 and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Mr. Simmons has also performed with the New York City Ballet, Peridance Ensemble, Forces of Nature Dance Company, Nathan Trice’s/Rituals, George Faison and Ballet X. Leyland has also performed at Jacob’s Pillow, the Cincinnati, Moscow and Miami International Ballet Festivals. One performance of Mr. Simmons noted that he was “vibrant in his solo, whipping off multiple pirouettes…,” and “he added powerful turns and jumps while remaining sensitive to the otherwise gentle ending.” Leyland is also a sought after teacher having taught at notable institutions like the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Harlem School for the Arts, Steps on Broadway, NYU, and the Ailey School. He has also appeared in numerous film, television, and print projects such as the History Channel's Honor Deferred, The Conan O’Brien Show, YRB magazine, Law and Order, Starbucks Red Campaign, Puma, Sansha, Exberliner.com and Broadwayworld.com.  Mr. Simmons is also a graduate of the Workshop in Business Opportunites Program and a member of the School of American Ballet’s Alumni Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. He is also a certified teacher in the American Ballet Theater Pre-Primary to Level Three Curriculum, and an American Ballet Theater Affiliate teacher. Leyland holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Masters Degree in Dance Education (K-12 concentration) from NYU. Leyland’s choreography has been presented at the Apollo Theater, the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Washington DC, and E-moves 18 at the Harlem Stage Gatehouse. He has also choreographed an industrial for Pier 59 Studios RED Camera Event and for alternative rock band Opium Ink’s music video “Porcelain Doll.” He became the director of Leyland Simmons and Company in 2017 and the Co-Founder and Co-Director of Moving Education Institute Inc. In the fall of 2016, Leyland became the resident choreographer and in 2019 the Director of Dance at the Harlem School of the Arts. In 2020-2021 he became the first male visiting Faculty Co-Chair for the School of American Ballet. Leyland is very excited to be working as an adjunct instructor for NYU Tisch for the 2020-21 school year.  Thank You God for being the head of my life continue to order my steps!!!! For more information visit www.LeylandSimmons.com

Chalvar Monteiro (Montclair, NJ) began his formal dance training at Sharron Miller's Academy for the Performing Arts and went on to study at The Ailey School. He received his BFA in dance from SUNY Purchase, where he performed works by Merce Cunningham, Helen Pickett, Doug Varone, Dianne McIntyre, Kevin Wynn, and Paul Taylor. Since graduating, Mr. Monteiro has worked with Sidra Bell Dance New York, Elisa Monte Dance, Keigwin + Company, BODYTRAFFIC, and most extensively with Abraham.In.Motion. He has assisted Kyle Abraham in setting and creating work for Barnard College, Princeton University, Emory University, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Wendy Whelan's Restless Creature. Mr. Monteiro was a member of Ailey II and joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2015.