Diane Beth Jacobowitz

Diane Beth Jacobowitz was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City, into a Jewish-American family. Her parents were first-generation Americans, with her grandparents having immigrated from Poland and Lithuania. Jacobowitz's father, Judah Jacobowitz, was a civil engineer at Mobil Oil Corporation, and her mother, Celia Dorothy Goldstein, worked as a secretary, eventually holding a position at Princeton University.
Jacobowitz’s early passion for dance was nurtured by her studies under notable teachers such as Greta Levart, Donald McKayle, and Percival Borde. After moving to White Plains, New York, she continued her dance education at the Westchester Music and Arts Camp and later at the Martha Graham Center for Contemporary Dance and the Juilliard School.
She attended Ohio State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance in 1974. Jacobowitz furthered her education with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Connecticut College, which she received in 1984.
==Choreographic Career==
In 1979, Jacobowitz founded the Diane Jacobowitz Dance Theater (DJDT), a contemporary dance company known for its innovative performances. Her choreographic work has been performed nationally and internationally, earning critical acclaim from publications such as The Village Voice, The New York Times, and Dance Magazine. DJDT was particularly noted for its social engagement, including performances at homeless shelters in New York City.
Jacobowitz collaborated with various artists and was influenced by renowned choreographers, including Anna Sokolow, who set the piece *Steps of Silence* on her company. Despite the success of DJDT, Jacobowitz disbanded the company in 1994 to focus on motherhood and new creative ventures.
==Founding of Dancewave==
In 1995, inspired by her daughter Eliana, Jacobowitz founded Dancewave, an organization dedicated to bringing dance to young people from diverse backgrounds across New York City. Under her leadership, Dancewave became known for its unique approach to dance education, which involved pairing young dancers with world-renowned choreographers such as Mark Morris, Twyla Tharp, and Bill T. Jones.
Jacobowitz developed several key programs at Dancewave, including the Kids Cafe Festival, Dancewave Through College and Beyond, and the Dance Career Symposium. These programs provided young dancers with professional training, mentorship, and performance opportunities, and helped them transition into college and professional dance careers.
In 2019, Dancewave secured a new, state-of-the-art facility in Gowanus, Brooklyn, thanks to Jacobowitz’s efforts and support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and other benefactors. Jacobowitz retired as the Executive and Artistic Director of Dancewave in 2020.
==Teaching and Mentorship==
Jacobowitz has taught dance for over four decades at various institutions, including Long Island University, where she played a pivotal role in establishing the Dance Major program. She has also been a strong advocate for arts education in New York City public schools, developing programs that bring professional dance instruction to thousands of students annually.
In recent years, Jacobowitz has focused on creative aging and healing through movement. She is a certified Essentrics® teacher and an Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Tapping mentor, offering classes and workshops aimed at promoting health and wellness.
==Personal Life==
Diane Jacobowitz married painter Tom Wachunas in 1981, but they divorced in 1990. She later married Richard Merle, a conceptual artist and photographer, in 1991. The couple has a daughter, Eliana Merle, born in 1992. Jacobowitz resides in Brooklyn, New York, where she continues to teach and inspire others through her work in dance, health, and wellness.
==Legacy==
Jacobowitz’s legacy in the dance world is marked by her innovative approach to dance education, her commitment to making dance accessible to all, and her contributions to the artistic development of countless young dancers. Her influence extends beyond her choreography, touching the lives of many through her teaching, mentorship, and advocacy for the arts.
==Major Choreographic Works==
- *Film Noir* (1994)
- *Fugitive of the Dance World Coolies* (1994)
- *Kroll Opera House* (1994)
- *Red, Ned, Ted in Bed* (1992)
- *Paul’s Passion* (1992)
- *Operation Dance* (1991)
- *Politically Correct Dancing* (1990)
- *Earth Murmurs* (1989)
- *Babel* (1989)
- *Queen Anne’s Birthday* (1988)
- *Shed* (1988)
- *Potato Field* (1988)
- *Preachers* (1987)
- *Albatross* (1986)
- *Cinderella* (1986)
- *Last Dance* (1985)
- *Oranges* (1985)
- *Beach* (1985)
- *Materials for a New World* (1984)
**Film and Publications**
Jacobowitz’s work has been featured in the film *Making Dances* by Michael Blackwood, and she is mentioned in the book *Terpsichore in Sneakers* by Sally Banes.
 **Articles and Press**
Jacobowitz’s work has been reviewed and discussed in various publications, including Soho Weekly News, The Phoenix, Village Voice, Dance Magazine, and The New York Times.
 **Podcast Appearances**
- *ReEnvision* podcast - “Tapping to Quiet the Critical Voice” (January 24, 2024)
- *Coming of Age* podcast - “Emotional Freedom Technique w/Diane Jacobowitz” (July 25, 2023)
- *45 Forward with Ron Roel* - “How to Release Stress w/Tapping” (May 8, 2023)
- *Pod de Deux* - (2018)
- *Movers & Shapers* - (September 26, 2017)
Category:1952 births
Category:American people
Category:Choreographers
Category:Dancers
Category:Teachers
Category:Director