Meet Jessica Riggs | Choreographer, Performer, Teaching Artist, and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Riggs and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
I live by the idea that if someone wants to dance, they can and should; that dance is something that everyone can do. As a teaching artist, I have worked with all age groups, but my absolute favorite thing is to teach adults who have never danced before. Adults who are new to dance can find it intimidating to start, so it is one of my goals to make dance more approachable for my adults students. Dance can provide so many benefits at every age: physical, mental, social. I think it’s important that we make the time to dance and to move. Perhaps Pina Bausch’s famous qote “Dance, dance, otherwise we are lost!” is fitting. I personally plan to dance forever. 🙂

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The work I do tends to be very collaborative. I may be the one that drives the production and sees it to fruition, but it’s almost never just my voice present in the work. I truly believe that it is through the collective that we put our best work out there. I am most proud of the fact that Life/Art Dance Ensemble, the company I founded in 2009, provides opportunities. Opportunities for the company members to teach, perform, create, collaborate, and opportunities for other artists and organizations within the larger dance community. Each year, we host a shared stage production, and well as a locally-focused dance film festival, that showcase the art of dance creators all over Colorado. My greatest hope is that by doing so, we are not only elevating artistic voices, but also helping to create an open, friendly, and collaborative dance community.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a mountain girl, so my main priority would be to take them on a hike up a mountain (Mount Evans, at least)! Otherwise, we’d visit Golden, do yoga in the park, and check out Red Rocks Amphitheater in the very early morning.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A huge thank you to my husband, Adam, who always looks out for me, even when I don’t look out for myself.

Website: https://www.movementandmorsels.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifeArtDance

Youtube: https://www.lifeartdance.org

Image Credits
First photo: Reed Otto Photos 2-5: Adam Riggs