Kevin Iega Jeff

Named one of "100 Outstanding Alumni" of the Juilliard School at the school's 100th anniversary, an honor he shares with Robin Williams and Wynton Marsalis, Iega attributes his artistic excellence to his training at the nations top artistic institutions including; Bernice Johnson's Cultural Arts Center, New York City's High School for the Performing Arts, Darvash Ballet School, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and The Juilliard School.  

Iega received a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and National Council for Culture and Arts recognition;. a New York Bessie Award nomination, BTA Best Choreography award for Church of Nations; a Merit Award from the International Association of Blacks in Dance,  

At 21 he founded JUBILATION! Dance Company in New York City. The company provided a forum for African-American artists to be nurtured emotionally, spiritually and physically, and toured internationally for 10 years. In 1994, he was appointed Artistic Director of Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater. In 1995, he co-founded Deeply Rooted Productions in Chicago.  

Iega was "artist in residence" at Howard University, University of Las Vegas, Goucher College, SUNY Purchase and at Purdue University's Black Cultural Center. His work has been featured on screen and stage, including; Spike Lee's, She's Gotta Have It, and Comin' Uptown and The Wiz on Broadway. He performed the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, dancing with prima ballerina Cynthia Gregory in the 1994 Academy Awards ceremony. His credits for direction and choreography include: an international tour of Porgy and Bess, choreography for Alvin Ailey American Dance Ensemble, River North Dance Company, Dallas Black Dance Theater, Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theater, and the Wylliams/Henry Danse Theater.  

n 2003, Iega co-choreographed, Jagged Ledges, featuring Tony Award Winning spoken word artist, Staceyann Chin (recently featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show). In 2006, he was commissioned to choreograph Three Brazilian Dances for the Chicago Sinfionetta, which premiered at Chicago's renowned Symphony Hall in Chicago. In 2007 Iega directed and co-choreographed Nefertiti: A Concert of Music and Dance as part of the creative team for Nefertiti: The Musical currently under development.  

"I want my work to grow truer, more focused, and relevant. My art is born out of human examination, and the desire to communicate authentically informs what I create. Dance is a perfect catalyst. It reflects the inner voice and bares naked who, why, what we are, and who we strive to become."