The Board of Directors of Joel Hall Dancers & Center (JHDC) announces the confirmation of William Gill as Artistic Director and Joseph Pindelski as Executive Director of the iconic Chicago dance company founded by Joel Hall in 1974. Having served in interim capacities for ten months, their appointments bring continuity to the leadership team in charge of the Joel Hall Dancers and “The Center” training studio of JHDC.
Joel Hall Dancers & Center recently opened its new home studio at 4511 N. Clark, part of a partnership with Black Ensemble Theater. The 1140 square foot dance studio features a Proforma III sprung dance floor by Connor Dance.
Visit joelhall.org/class-schedule for details, class schedule and registration links. Upcoming events include a free ages 18+ Mindfulness Event on November 4. To welcome Chicagoans to the new studio, all classes from November 4-10, 2024 are 50% off with the code NEWHOME.
Both Gill and Pindelski assumed interim leadership roles at JHDC in December 2023 amidst a time of significant change for the organization. Under their leadership, the company entered into a new partnership with Black Ensemble Theater to secure a home studio for the company, celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Joel Hall Dancers with several events throughout Chicago, and re-established the Joel Hall Dancers First Company.
“I feel that my company and my legacy are in the hands of a strong team, and my ‘home’ is secure,” says Co-Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus Joel Hall of the duo. “They have provided exemplary work and The Board is very pleased to confirm Will and Joseph,” says Board President Craig Davis. “It is such an honor and privilege to continue the legacy and work of Joel Hall while implementing new and fresh ideas through my voice,” says Gill. Adds Pindelski, “This has been a period of tremendous and exciting challenges, proving our resilience as a company.” Board Members include Craig Davis (President), Merrick M. Mitchell (Secretary), Sara West (Treasurer), J. Roger Buchanan, and Leah O'Riordan.
JHDC STANDARD IN-PERSON CLASS RATES
● 60 Minute Adult/All Youth Classes: $18
● 75 Minute Adult: $20
● 90 Minute Adult: $22
JHDC DISCOUNTED IN-PERSON CLASS RATES
● Performing Artist, Nonprofit Employee, First Responder, Veteran, Senior Citizen Discount (verification required): $15
● Joel Hall Dancer First Company Alum, Noumenon Dance Ensemble Member (verification required): $10
JHDC VIRTUAL CLASS RATES
● 60 Minute: $10
● 75 Minute: $12
● 90 Minute: $16
Other Financial Aid is available, inquire at classes@joelhall.org
TRANSPORTATION TO 4511 N. CLARK
● Street parking is available on Clark, Sunnyside.
● CTA Bus: 22, 78; Red Line: Wilson.
● Metra: Ravenswood.
HISTORY OF JOEL HALL DANCERS & CENTER
Founded under the umbrella organization of Chicago City Theatre Company in 1974 to showcase and celebrate the artistry of Black and Brown LGBTQIA+ performers, Joel Hall Dancers & Center stands as the embodiment of Joel’s life-long passion for creating, performing and teaching dance artistry and technique. While holding the highest standards of excellence, Joel Hall Dancers & Center is a welcoming and accepting home for all artists. Defiantly and unapologetically diverse, accessible, and inclusive for 48 years, Joel Hall Dancers & Center lives at the leading edge of the anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ Pride, and DEAI movements, actively pursuing opportunities to dismantle oppressive systems, amplify oppressed voices, and cultivate a better world for all. The Joel Hall Dancers’ creation and performance of professional dance and the world-class instruction of The Center enrich lives, enhance our collective culture, and improve the world around us.
Joel Hall Dancers & Center was designated a "Chicago Cultural Treasure" in 2021. Joel Hall Dancers & Center receives additional support from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the International Association of Blacks in Dance, and the MacArthur Funds for Culture, Equity, at the Arts at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. Joel Hall Dancers & Center is an inaugural member of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project and is a member of the Uptown and Ravenswood chambers of commerce. Noumenon Dance Ensemble is the Artist In Residence (AIR) company for the 2024-2025 season.
ABOUT JOEL HALL (he/his), co-founder, artistic director emeritus
A native of Chicago’s Cabrini Green neighborhood, Joel Hall established and co-founded the Chicago City Theatre Company in 1974 with Joseph Ehrenberg. Since then, the Joel Hall Dancers emerged and have achieved an international reputation and acclaim for Hall’s work as a choreographer. Hall’s unique style— known as Urban Jazz— is based on Jazz and expresses a rich vocabulary embracing Classical, Modern, and Street dance idioms. “Jazz dance at its best,” says Dance Magazine.
Over the years, Joel Hall has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including his recent induction into the Gay Black Caucus Chicago Black Gay Hall of Fame, 2023 Illinois Arts Council Agency Fellowship, 2022 Black Excellence Award for “Outstanding Achievement in Dance” from the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago, induction into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, “Lifetime Achievement for Service to the Field” award and “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Jazz Dance World Congress, The Katherine Dunham Award, and many others. November 21 was officially recognized as “Joel Hall Day” throughout Chicago, in a formal resolution adopted by the Chicago City Council.
ABOUT WILLIAM GILL (he/his), artistic director
A Chicago native who has taught and danced professionally throughout the US and internationally for the past 30+ years, William Gill has worked with such noted dance legends as Donald Byrd, Alonzo King, Donald McKayle, and Milton Myers, (just to name a few), all while dancing for the acclaimed Dallas Black Dance Theatre for 9 seasons. One of many highlights with Dallas Black was Will’s performance of the legendary solo “Ostrich” at the Austrian Dance Festival, choreographed by the renowned Asadata Dafora. Since returning to Chicago, will has been teaching and choreographing at the Joel Hall Dancers & Center, Chicago Multicultural Dance Center, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Praize Productions, as well as Roosevelt University, where he was on Staff as a professor of dance in the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Will is also a resident choreographer for the highly acclaimed and internationally known visual artist Nick Cave. He had the pleasure of working with Nick on his successful exhibit “Heard” when it toured across the United States, including New York's Grand Central Station, Australia, and Hong Kong. Will began his artistic career as a company member of Joel Hall Dancers & Center and now serves as its artistic director.
ABOUT JOSEPH PINDELSKI (he/him), executive director
Joining Joel Hall Dancers & Center in September 2021 as its managing director, Joseph Pindelski took on key leadership duties for the company’s organizational and financial health. He has previously worked with Pivot Arts, The Den Theater, and Goodman Theatre here in Chicago, The American Pops Orchestra in Washington, DC, and with the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. Joseph holds an MFA in dramaturgy from the Moscow Art Theatre and a Certificate in Advanced Theatre Training from Harvard University and the American Repertory Theater Institute for Advanced Theater Training. A native of Chicagoland, Joseph began his career as a performer after studying at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.