Biography
Early Years
Justine Schmaltz grew up in The Woodlands, Texas and started dancing at the age of three. They trained at The Woodlands Dance Company and studied various genres. Justine later joined the studios competitive dance company, Bonis En Toure, from 2013-2019. Each year, they participated in The Woodlands Dance Company’s Annual Nutcracker, performing roles on both flat and pointe, until their final year of high school.
High School
At the start of high school, Justine became curious about concert-based dance and decided to receive additional training from summer programs, such as San Francisco Conservatory of Dance and UNCSA. Additionally, they joined and performed on their high school drill team for the 2019-2020 season. Justine was honored to be on their Elite Dance Team. As a result of these
experiences and their growing interest in performance art, they joined the pre-professional company, Houston Contemporary 2, under the direction of Marlana Doyle and Genene Wallis-McGrath. While at HC2, Justine consistently trained in ballet, modern (Horton emphasis), contemporary, and jazz and also explored their interest in composition. Justine co-choreographed and performed a duet with a fellow member at their spring concert, and this confirmed their passion for creating.
College
Justine received the Pavilion Partners Fine Arts Scholarship from The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands to further their dance education at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. While at Boston Conservatory, they were exposed to additional movement forms such as Limón, Graham, Cunningham, Horton, African, contact improvisation, ballet and modern partnering, heels, and Alexander technique. Some of Justine’s influential teachers are Olivier Besson, Alissa Cardone, Ruth Fentroy, and Daniel McCusker. At the conservatory, Justine had the opportunity to perform works by esteemed choreographers: Dan Wagoner, Doug Varone, Jawole Jo Zollar, Norbert De La Cruz, and Jennifer Archibald. They were commissioned to co-choreograph and perform a duet at the Boston Conservatory’s Graduate Percussion Recital in spring of 2023. Later that year, they became curious about various choreographic processes as well as the incorporation of physical theater within dance. Afterwards, Justine choreographed a work for Boston Conservatory's Junior Composition Show that investigated these new interests. They continue to explore how extending beyond the boundaries of conventional methods can enhance their creativity. In 2024, they acted as rehearsal director for choreographer Avery Gerhardt during her creation for a new work for Boston Conservatory’s Winterworks Show. Justines responsibilities included being present at the two week residency, taking note of specific choreographic phrases and details, asking questions and offering insight about dramaturgical approach, and leading rehearsals and preparing the dancers for performances. Justine will graduate in 2025 with a BFA in Contemporary Dance Performance.
Additional Studies
In summer of 2023, Justine was hired to be a part of Mission Hill Arts Festival as a performer and dance captain. In this role, they assisted in the translation and execution of choreography, transcription of cast members specific roles, and general organization during the performance weekend. Later that summer, Justine studied abroad at various programs including, B12, Dance Italia, and Paris Summer Academy. These workshops inspired them to question and broaden their artistic voice in both performance and composition. Justine worked as a rehearsal assistant for choreographer Laila Franklin for a project funded and supported by Boston Center for the Arts from December 2023 to May 2024. In this process, they attended rehearsals and supported the choreographer and dancers with documentation, observation and analysis, and archival research. At the same time, Justine completed the required hours of training to receive their 200 hour Yoga Teacher Certification through Yoga Alliance in February of 2024.
Life Outside of Dance
When Justine is not dancing, they are enjoying the outdoors or practicing other mediums of arts and crafts. They love to paint, upcycle clothing, and bake. Justine is a certified Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver through The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), and enjoys taking dive trips with their brother.