Jessica Conniff was born in Staten Island, New York and began dancing at the age of 3. She started training at the Staten Island Ballet at the age of 7. In 2011 she attended her first American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive in New York. She spent her next few summers there on full scholarship and was accepted into the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre each year.
She began her training at the JKO School under the direction of Franco DeVita in 2013. In 2016 she signed a contract to join Houston Ballet II and also attended the Houston Ballet Summer Intensive on full scholarship. She toured around the country performing various works and also performed corps de ballet roles with the main company. Jessica has had the privilege of performing world-renowned pieces like an original Alexei Ratmansky piece at the ABT 75th Anniversary Fall Gala, an excerpt from Giselle at the ABT 75th Anniversary Spring Gala, and she was an original cast member of Stanton Welch AM’s brand-new production of The Nutcracker in 2016. She has performed many classical and contemporary works by choreographers including George Balanchine, John Neumeier, Marius Petipa, Alexei Ratmansky, Ethan Stiefel, and Stanton Welch AM. In 2018 she joined San Diego Ballet. She has been featured in many Javier Velasco ballet’s including The Jungle Book, Giselle, and Sleeping Beauty.
1. What ignited your passion for dance?
My sister wanted to try ballet at a strict ballet school and I fell in love during my first class.
2. What inspired you to pursue a professional career in dance?
I have had the pleasure of watching many beautiful dancers in rehearsals and on stage from a young age. I was always inspired by how the women were all so strong but still so graceful. I dreamed of becoming a professional dancer since then.
3. What is your favorite thing about being a dancer?
I love that there’s always something to work on and always something new to learn. We always get to challenge both our technique and our artistry.
4. What is your biggest dream for your dance career?
I’m hoping to get more opportunities to perform more principal roles in classical ballets.
5. What brings you joy?
I love working on my own pilates practice. I also enjoy teaching and helping others to become more aware of their own body and stronger through pilates.
6. What is the most transformative experience?
I recently had the pleasure of debuting as Aurora in Sleeping Beauty! It was my first principal role in a classical ballet. It was challenging and the most rewarding experience I’ve had thus far.
7. What is your favorite ballet?
La Bayadere.
8. Favorite role and role you want to perform?
My favorite role so far was Aurora in Sleeping Beauty. I would love to play the role of Nikiya in La Bayadere.
9. What is your favorite local spot in San Diego?
All the beaches, especially La Jolla.