The Henny Jurriëns Studio Welcomes New Artistic Director Evan Schwarz and Business Director Neeltje Holland

— English Version —

The Henny Jurriëns Studio Welcomes New Artistic Director Evan Schwarz and Business Director Neeltje Holland

Amsterdam, 30/08/2023 – The Henny Jurriëns Studio is thrilled to announce the appointment of Evan Schwarz as the new Artistic Director and Neeltje Holland as the new Business Director. 

As announced earlier this year, our founding members Gary Feingold and Ineke Drabbe will be leaving their respective positions after 28 incredible years of devotion to building a home for freelance dancers in Amsterdam. A mission well completed as we are proud to call ourselves Europe’s leading training institution for freelance professional dancers. While we look back at 28 successful years and are grateful for Gary and Ineke’s hard work and dedication to the studio, the time has come for a new generation of leadership to guide the Henny Jurriëns Studio into the future. 

Evan Schwarz, born in Los Angeles and educated at The Juilliard School in New York, will bring a wealth of dance experience and passion to his role as Artistic Director. Having worked extensively as a dancer in various companies and predominantly the freelance scene, as well as having taught both ballet and contemporary at acclaimed companies, academies, and professional training institutions throughout Europe, Evan possesses a unique insight into the needs and challenges faced by dancers in today’s dynamic dance landscape. 

The Henny Jurriëns Studio is a place for freelance dancers to train, maintain their skills and hone their craft. It is because of Evan’s closeness to today’s freelance field and his profound understanding of what it means to be a freelancer that we believe Evan is the right fit for leading our studio’s next chapter. 

Evan Schwarz expressed his excitement about his new role, saying, “I am humbled and honored to have been entrusted with the responsibility of shaping the artistic direction of the Henny Jurriëns Studio. This studio has been a home to so many dance professionals including myself, and I am committed to continuing that legacy while also fostering an inclusive and nurturing environment that empowers dancers to thrive in their careers.”

In addition to Evan’s appointment, the Henny Jurriëns Studio is delighted to welcome Neeltje Holland as the new Business Director. Neeltje’s expertise and innovative approach to cultural business development will play a crucial role in propelling the studio to new heights. Her strong leadership and strategic vision will enable the studio to expand its reach and further support the artistic growth of our dance community.

Neeltje shares:  “I am excited to start in my new role as Business Director of the Henny Jurriëns Studio and to continue the work Gary Feingold and Ineke Drabbe started. HJS is a meeting place for (freelance) dancers and of great importance for the dance community for training and building networks. The studio plays a vital part in the development of dancers. I am looking forward to working together with the team and everyone in the field to grow and to develop this dance community further. I feel honored to become part of this organization and to expand its business, to secure the future of HJS and to support the (freelance) dance field with training, expertise and professionalism.”

Starting September, we will begin a 4-month transition period where both Evan and Neeltje will start in their new positions under the guidance of our Executive Director Gary Feingold who will depart at the end of 2023. Ineke Drabbe, Head of Programming, will depart after our 28th Anniversary Intensive in October.

As we embark on this exciting new chapter, under the leadership of Evan and Neeltje, we look forward to their fresh energy, renewed vision, and commitment to nurturing a thriving dance community in and beyond Amsterdam. We are confident that their leadership will further enrich the studio’s reputation as a global hub for dance professionals seeking exceptional training, community and opportunity. 

About Henny Jurriëns Studio:

The Henny Jurriëns Studio is an internationally acclaimed training center for dance professionals, offering year-round programs and a supportive community for dancers to excel in their careers. The studio provides an array of training opportunities, workshops, and classes under the guidance of experienced teachers and choreographers from across the globe and serves as a central hub for networking.

For more information about the Henny Jurriëns Studio and its programs, please visit www.hjs.amsterdam

Photos by:

Daisy Van Knotsenburg (photo Neeltje) & Peter Massingham  (photo Evan )

— Dutch Version —

De Henny Jurriëns Studio verwelkomt nieuwe artistiek directeur Evan Schwarz, en zakelijke leider Neeltje Holland

Amsterdam, 30/08/2023 – De Henny Jurriëns Studio is verheugd de benoeming van Evan Schwarz als de nieuwe Artistiek Directeur en Neeltje Holland als de nieuwe Zakelijke Leider bekend te maken.

Zoals eerder dit jaar aangekondigd, zullen onze oprichters Gary Feingold en Ineke Drabbe hun respectievelijke posities verlaten na 28 prachtige jaren van toewijding aan het bouwen van een thuis voor freelance dansers in Amsterdam. Een goed geslaagde missie, want we zijn er trots op dat we onszelf Europa’s meest toonaangevende trainingsinstituut voor freelance professionele dansers kunnen noemen. Terwijl we terugkijken op 28 succesvolle jaren en dankbaar zijn voor het werk en toewijding aan de studio van Gary en Ineke, is de tijd gekomen voor een nieuwe generatie leiderschap om de Henny Jurriëns Studio de toekomst in te leiden. 

Evan Schwarz, geboren in Los Angeles en opgeleid aan de The Juilliard School in New York, brengt als nieuwe artistiek directeur een schat aan passie en dans ervaring met zich mee. Hij was actief als danser bij verschillende gezelschappen, voornamelijk als freelancer, en geeft als docent in zowel ballet als hedendaagse dans les bij gerenommeerde gezelschappen, academies en professionele trainingsinstituten in heel Europa. Vanwege zijn ervaring en nauwe banden met de (inter)nationale dans community, heeft hij een uitstekend zicht op de vereisten en uitdagingen voor dansers in het dynamische danslandschap van vandaag.

Evan Schwarz is enthousiast over zijn nieuwe rol: “Ik voel me vereerd dat de verantwoordelijkheid om de artistieke richting van de Henny Jurriëns Studio vorm te geven aan mij is toevertrouwd. De studio is een thuis voor zoveel dansprofessionals, waaronder ikzelf, en ik ben vastbesloten om die erfenis voort te zetten en tegelijkertijd een inclusieve en koesterende omgeving te creëren die dansers in staat stelt om te gedijen in hun carrière.”

Naast Evan’s benoeming is de Henny Jurriëns Studio ook ontzettend blij om Neeltje Holland te verwelkomen als de nieuwe zakelijk leider. Neeltje’s expertise en innovatieve benadering van culturele organisatieontwikkeling zullen een cruciale rol spelen bij de plannen om de studio naar nieuwe hoogtes te brengen. Haar sterke zakelijke leiderschap en strategische visie zullen de studio in staat stellen om het bereik te vergroten en de artistieke groei van onze dansgemeenschap verder te ondersteunen.

Over de benoeming van haar rol vertelt Neeltje:  “Het is een eer om als zakelijk leider het werk van Gary Feingold en Ineke Drabbe voort te mogen zetten. De Henny Jurriëns Studio is een ontmoetingsplek voor (freelance) dansers en levert een belangrijke en noodzakelijk bijdrage in hun training en ontwikkeling. Ik kijk ernaar uit om met iedereen in de organisatie en het veld samen te gaan werken en verder te bouwen aan het dansnetwerk wat HJS is. Ik zie veel potentieel om de organisatie verder (door) te ontwikkelen en te bestendigen zodat de studio ook in de toekomst de plek blijft waar dansers zich zowel artistiek als professioneel kunnen ontplooien.”

Vanaf september starten we een overgangsperiode van 4 maanden waarin zowel Evan als Neeltje in hun nieuwe functies beginnen onder leiding van algemeen directeur Gary Feingold, die eind 2023 vertrekt. Ineke Drabbe, hoofd programmering, vertrekt na onze 28e Anniversary Intensive in oktober.

We kijken uit naar een spannend nieuw hoofdstuk, onder leiding van Evan en Neeltje, met hun passie, toewijding, energieke daadkracht en hernieuwde visie, voor verdere groei van een bloeiende dansgemeenschap in Amsterdam en daarbuiten. We zijn ervan overtuigd dat het duo de reputatie van de studio als wereldwijde hub voor dansprofessionals zal verrijken.

 

Over Henny Jurriëns Studio:

De Henny Jurriëns Studio is een internationaal toonaangevend trainingscentrum voor dansprofessionals ten dienste van de danscommunity. Waar freelance dansers kunnen trainen, hun vaardigheden kunnen onderhouden, hun professionaliteit verder kunnen versterken en waar zij kunnen netwerken. De studio biedt het gehele jaar een scala aan trainingsmogelijkheden, workshops en lessen onder begeleiding van ervaren docenten en choreografen uit de hele wereld.

 

Ga voor meer informatie over de Henny Jurriëns Studio en haar programma’s naar www.hjs.amsterdam

 

Examining current transgressive behavior in the dance world in the Netherlands nov 2022

We would like to ask you to participate in the study on transgressive behavior in the dance world, which is being conducted by research and consulting firm Verinorm. Participation is voluntary and we need your consent.

Before you decide whether you want to participate, we will explain what the study entails in this letter. Please read the information carefully and ask the researchers, mentioned at the end of the info letter, any questions you might have.

Full Info letter and enquete link see HERE

Hold your audition in Amsterdam – HJS can help!

Dear Company director/choreographer,

We have recently received a modest grant for our SPRINGPLANK (Springboard) program which aims to help graduates of Amsterdam dance academies help find work in the dance field. We can use part of this grant to help companies looking for dancers to hold their auditions in Amsterdam. In this way, more opportunities become available for dancers here, without them having to travel each time. For the companies or choreographers looking for dancers, the advantage is that we can help pay for studio rental costs and sometimes provide accommodation in our guest house. Furthermore, Amsterdam is a city easily reached from all of Europe and beyond. Of course, the company/choreographer can hold an audition open to all applicants from anywhere and there are no further obligations.

HJS is the main center for freelance dance professionals in the Netherlands and attracts many international dance artists. The audition can sometimes be held in our home studio at Chassé Dance Studios, but we also have other possible locations in Amsterdam where auditions can be held.

We do have a limited amount of funds for this initiative so don’t delay too long in contacting us if you are interested. Please write to:

feingold@hjs.amsterdam

Luna Ananda

HJS classes open, do sign up in advance!!

We are extremely happy to announce that HJS is open again since Tuesday 2 June in small steps. In this phase we have a maximum of 15 dancers per class.

You need to register in advance. Do not come if you do not have a registration.

Everyone is obliged to abide by the House Rules, HERE .

Read the House Rules carefully for routing and distancing rules before you come to the studio!!

Sign up HERE

We have a new registration system BLOSSOM. Did your visit our classes in HJS, but somehow you can not log in? CLICK FORGOT PASSWORD?

To check the availability of the classes of your choice, you can also call in the morning to our receptiondesk.

Because of safety and hygienic measurements class times have been adjusted.

Mon – Fri Ballet Class 9:15. Contemporary 11:15

Sat Ballet 10:00 & Gaga/ dancers 10:15.

From 1 June, the Ballet class will be live streamed on 9:15 too.
Live stream info via the link of our HJS
Gofundme page

 

25 – 30 May, HJS online classes with ALLEYNE DANCE & Iqbal Khawaja

ALLEYNE DANCE-Laurent Gambarelli 1

Monday 25 May:  Contemporary with ALLEYNE DANCE 
Tuesday 26 May: Ballet with Iqbal Khawaja 
Wednesday 27 May:  Contemporary with ALLEYNE DANCE
Thursday 28 May: Ballet with Iqbal Khawaja
Friday 29 May:  Contemporary with ALLEYNE DANCE
Saturday 30 May: Ballet with Iqbal Khawaja

HOW TO JOIN HJS ONLINE ZOOM CLASSES at 10:00 – 11:00 Amsterdam time!

This week week we will continue with the online classes, and we ask you to consider a voluntary contribution.

There is a suggested donation of € 3,50 per class for those who are in a position to give, but classes are open to all for free or any price that meets your budget. We will be very grateful to receive any donations, which will help us to set up a schedule, for you to dance, and for our teachers to teach some of their lost classes. If you are able to donate even more, this is highly appreciated. The donations will be shared with the teachers.

Thank you for your donation, and if you can’t donate today, please share the HJS online schedule and HJS Gofundme page on your social platforms.
Thank you for your support to the HJS community, and do enjoy again seeing each other on this platform and dance together!!

All info about the schedule, and how to join: https://www.gofundme

18 – 23 May, HJS online classes with Christina Mertzani & Klaas Backx


photo Christina by Nynke Brandsma

Monday 18 May:  Contemporary with Christina Mertzani 
Tuesday 19 May: Ballet with Klaas Backx
Wednesday 20 May:  Contemporary with Christina Mertzani
Thursday 21 May: Ballet with Klaas Backx
Friday 22 May:  Contemporary with Christina Mertzani 
Saturday 23 May: Ballet with Klaas Backx

HOW TO JOIN HJS ONLINE ZOOM CLASSES at 10:00 – 11:00 Amsterdam time!

This week week we will continue with the online classes, and we ask you to consider a voluntary contribution.

There is a suggested donation of € 3,50 per class for those who are in a position to give, but classes are open to all for free or any price that meets your budget. We will be very grateful to receive any donations, which will help us to set up a schedule, for you to dance, and for our teachers to teach some of their lost classes. If you are able to donate even more, this is highly appreciated. The donations will be shared with the teachers.

Thank you for your donation, and if you can’t donate today, please share the HJS online schedule and HJS Gofundme page on your social platforms.
Thank you for your support to the HJS community, and do enjoy again seeing each other on this platform and dance together!!

All info about the schedule, and how to join: https://www.gofundme