Jacqueleen Schweighardt was born and raised in San Diego, California. She attended her first ballet class, where she practiced leaping over the Grand Canyon between two stuffed animals and harnessing her inner tiger in the jungle that was the studio, at the age of three. Her passion for imagination kept bringing her back, and thus began her journey of dance. She danced at a total of eight different studios; each adding to all that makes up Jacqueleen. In middle school, she was fortunate to be introduced to jazz, tap, contemporary, and Horton technique all while continuing her first love for ballet. Her sophomore year of high school, Jacqueleen lived in Shanghai, China for six months and Bangor, Maine for the remaining six with ballet as her norm. Returning to San Diego, she was able to attend the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts for her remaining two years of high school where she continued her training in ballet and modern. There she was able to perform work by José Lión and Donald McKayle among other artists.

 

The summer going into her Senior year of high school she attended Boston Conservatory’s summer dance intensive and knew it would be a good fit for her. She was fortunate to audition, get accepted, and begin her training at the Conservatory in the fall of 2016 and will be graduating in the Spring of 2020. At Boston Conservatory she trained under professionals such as Kurt Douglas, Joy Davis, Brian McGinnis, Marcus Schulkind, Mario Alberto Zambrano, and others. During her time at the Conservatory she was also able to perform works by artists such as Aszure Barton, José Limón, and Zoe Scofield. Jacqueleen is excited to continue growing in her dancing, making connections, and finding her space in the ever changing dance world.