The Ailey School

Jennifer Gerken is an Hispanic dance artist born and raised in Houston, Texas. She began her dance training at a local dance studio at six years old where she was introduced to a variety of dance techniques and styles. At 15 years old Jennifer was accepted into The Kinder High School for the Performing Arts (KHSPVA) where she received a dance and academic education. At KHSPVA she was given the opportunity to perform an excerpt of “Appalachian Spring” by Martha Graham as the Bride and the Follower. Her experience at KHSPVA inspired her to continue her dance education at The Ailey School. Since then, she has had the opportunity to work with choreographers such as Helen Simoneau, Mark Caserta, Tina Bush, Winston Dynamite Brown, and Ethan Colangelo. Jennifer graduated in May 2023 from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program. She aspires to join a Concert Dance Company, choreograph for renowned companies, and to start a dance photography business.