About the Artist

Born on the traditional land of the Edisto Natchez-Kusso (Charleston, SC), Veronica Jiao (she/her/hers) is a Filipino-American dance creative, educator, and administrator. As the grandchild of immigrants, she is engaged in the work of ending white supremacist structures in the arts field, by embodying and archiving the Asian-American experience. Her creative practice renders this work through dance improvisation, facilitating critical conversation, and writing. Veronica has co-facilitated and organized discussions for equity and inclusion in the dance field through many mediums, including guest episodes on the podcasts The Dance Union and Thomas + Adrianne’s You’re Welcome, contributing to Dance Magazine and In Dance, social media content, and serving as a former member of Dance/NYC’s Junior Committee. 

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Most recently: Virgin Voyages, Valiant Lady

Currently: Leading, branding, & codifiying teaching methodology, culture, & nomenclature for CREA Interactivity || Administrative Assistant to Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Founder of Urban Bush Women || Conspiring & dreaming for the radical future of the dance field with The Dance Union Podcast || Napping whenever possible.

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Performance Resume || Teaching Resume || Admin Resume

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While pursuing my Bachelor’s of Fine Arts at FSU, I had the privilege of working with contemporary choreographers Gerri Houlihan, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Rick McCullough, Tim Glenn, Hannah Schwadron, and Shamar Watt. During my time at FSU, I was also a company member of The Tallahassee Ballet, performing demi-soloist roles in The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, and Beauty and the Beast. 

At the age of 14, I attended the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities, studying under the direction of Stanislav Issaev, Irina Ushakova, Lloyd Whitmore, and Sandra Neels. As a high school student, I performed in modern and contemporary ensemble works, as well as my first lead roles in pas de deuxs from Don Quixote, La Sylphide, Paquita, and Flames of Paris.

Prior to my acceptance at the Governor's School, I trained and competed in gymnastics for several years, achieving gold medals at the state level for balance beam and floor. Concurrent with my years as a gymnast, I competed in tap, jazz, and acrobatic dance.

As an educator, I am a Teaching Artist with Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center in Bronx, New York, and I was formerly an instructor at New York Kids Club DUMBO, with an emphasis on developmental milestones.

A versatile performer, I roam many dance spaces, most recently aboard the Valiant Lady with Virgin Voyages, and previously on tour with the Broadway musical Anastasia. I have danced aboard the Disney Dream with Disney Cruise Line and was a cast member with RWS Entertainment Group. In NYC, I have collaborated with the project-based companies Designated Movement Co., Theater in Quarantine, Josh Pacheco Dance Theatre, and the dance activism group BABEL Movement.