JCC Mid-Westchester Taps New Leadership For Renowned Dance Program

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A local dance program that has long created a buzz in the Hudson Valley and beyond, has tapped a new leader to help raise the bar at the already formidable institution.

The JCC Mid-Westchester (JCCMW) announced that Aaron Thao will be the new director of dance. With an extensive professional dance background, the organization says that Thao "brings a wealth of experience, creativity, and innovation to lead the Dance School of the JCCMW into a new era of artistic exploration."

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Thao received his bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from Brown University. While pursuing an M.D. at the University of Minnesota Medical School, he began his dance training in Minneapolis and then continued to NYC, where he danced professionally with several ballet and theater companies.

In 2015, Thao co-founded a youth ballet program for Westchester County, which eventually became the Hudson Ballet Theatre, where he serves as co-president and artistic director. He has received several industry awards and accolades and has successfully developed many innovative and socially responsible dance productions. The JCCMW says that Thao is truly dedicated to honoring the art of storytelling through dance.

The organization says that Thao is the perfect fit for their dance program as he "brings an inclusive and collaborative approach to his work, fostering an environment that nurtures creativity and empowers dancers to push boundaries and discover new horizons while experiencing the pure joy of movement." The JCCMW expects that his commitment to mentoring and cultivating emerging talent will strengthen their dance school and contribute to the development of the next generation of dancers.

"We are so excited to welcome Aaron Thao, one of our wonderful teachers, as our new director of dance," Elise Dowell, CEO at the JCCMW, said. "His creative vision, leadership skills, professionalism, and dedication to the art of self-expression make him the perfect fit for the JCCMW. Under Aaron’s guidance, we are confident that our dance program will continue to provide comprehensive, holistic training in a wide variety of dance styles while sustaining a nurturing environment where students of all ages—young children through adults—can explore their artistic potential, build confidence, develop important life skills, and experience the transformative power of dance."

The JCCMW believes that with his exceptional talent and leadership skills, and his impressive track record in arts administration, Thao will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the dance program. Building on the accomplishments of their previous directors, the organization says he will work to take every element of the program to even greater heights of artistic achievement, community engagement, and educational outreach. Thao will work closely with the entire JCCMW dance team, including the beloved Jayne Santoro who has been teaching ballet at JCCMW for more than 35 years.

The JCC Mid-Westchester is a nonprofit organization that supports the community by offering outstanding recreational, cultural, educational, and human services programming to all people regardless of age, background, religion, or sexual orientation. Their programs are grounded in Jewish values, and they welcome all! Find out more here.