Stephen Jackson

Stephen Jackson, a native of Rome, New York began his dance and theater training with John Hayes O'Neill, a former Denishawn Dancer. Since his first appearance on stage at the age of three, Mr. Jackson has appeared in hundreds of ballet productions, musicals, revues, operas and operettas. He began studying tap dancing with Mr. O'Neill at age three and began his formal ballet training at the age of ten.

In 1975 Mr. Jackson attended The Royal Academy of Dance in London England studying with Dame Ninette de Valois D.B.E., John Field and Louise Brown. Upon returning to the United States Mr. Jackson attended the State University of New York at Purchase as a dance major studying with Jonathan Watts, Royes Fernandez, and Ann Parsons. Mr. Jackson was a member of the Purchase Repertory Dance Company. He spent an intensive course of study with master teacher Paul Mejia and Suzanne Farrell of The New York City Ballet. Following this, a scholarship led Mr. Jackson to The School of American Ballet in New York City. There he studied with world famous teachers Stanley Williams, Andre Kramerovsky of The Bolshoi Ballet and Richard Rapp of the New York City Ballet. Upon completion of his studies at The School of American Ballet Mr. Jackson accepted a contract with The Chicago Lyric Opera Ballet under the direction of Maria Tallchief. Mr. Jackson performed as a soloist with The Stars of American Ballet under the direction of Paul Mejia while touring extensively throughout the United States.

Mr. Jackson has danced with the Zurich Ballet in Switzerland working with Rudolf Nureyev and George Balanchine. In Germany Mr. Jackson has danced with the Hanover State Ballet, the National Theater of Mannheim, the Stadt Theater of Mainz and the Stadt Theater of Bielefeld.Mr. Jackson has taught at the High School of Performing Arts in Frankfurt and also in Mannheim, Germany. Mr. Jackson has been a faculty member of The National Dance Institute in New York City under the direction of Jaques d'Amboise and has appeared in concerts and performed works by Jaques d'Amboise. He has also been a guest teacher at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York.

Mr. Jackson has performed most of the Classical Repertoire including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Giselle and Romeo & Juliet as well as many contemporary and modern works from numerous international choreographers. Mr. Jackson has choreographed many musicals and Operettas and has been resident choreographer and teacher for the Capitol Theatre's Summer Stage Series in Rome, New York. Today, Mr. Jackson continues to teach, choreograph, produce and co-direct at the John Hayes O’Neill Studio of Dance alongside his wife and co-Director, Canan, his son, Sean and his daughter and Associate Director, Leyla Hojnacki.