Jessica Van Valkenburgh

Jessica joins the Michigan Actors Studio staff with over 25 years of Dance and Theatre and movement expertise.  Ms. Van Valkenburgh began her training at the age of 2, where she studied Cecchetti Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Hawaiian, Tap and Musical Theatre.  As a young adult, Jessica competed in both Regional and National Dance Competitions.  Throughout her High School career, Jessica found her love for the stage by becoming a three-strand performer in The Creative and Performing Arts Program at Churchill High School, where she focused on Dance, Theatre and Voice.

 

Jessica then went on to achieve her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Western Michigan University.  In her time at Western, Jessica was a valued member of the Western Dance Project Dance Company.  Upon Graduation, Jessica moved to Las Vegas where she joined the Cast of Donn Arden’s Jubilee!  While in Las Vegas, she also worked as a Model, Actress, Dancer and National Spokesperson.  

 

From there, Jessica moved to Chicago where she began preforming with The Murder Mystery Company, an Improv Dinner Theatre Company, and became resident choreographer for The Kiss Kiss Cabaret, a weekly Burlesque-variety show.

 

In 2019, after relocating back to Michigan, she founded her own company: Brazenly Beautiful LLC, where she works as an advocate to change the way women feel about their bodies and themselves, through Movement, Workshops, and Coaching.  She is a certified Body Confidence Coach through the Institute for Body Confidence Coaching.

 

Now retired from the stage, Jessica’s choreography can also be seen in local community productions at Inspire Theatre and Livonia Public Schools.  She continues to choreograph and teaches classes for children and adults.  Ms. Van Valkenburgh is also a YA Registered Yoga Instructor and Prenatal Yoga instructor as well as Licensed Cosmetologist and Certified Make-Up Artist.  For more information and to read more of her story visit: www.brazenlybeautiful.com.