Jessie Sawyers is currently the Director of Operations for the Seattle based entertainment company, Upbeat Events, that creates performances for corporate events, specialty shows and galas; presents educational assemblies throughout the Seattle and surrounding area school districts; and brings its In-Studio, customizable tap dance convention to dance studios around the country.

Jessie, a Seattle native, has a unique blend of experience in both entertainment and business. She received her education in business at the University of Washington-Bothell Business School with a concentration in technology and innovation management, and her involvement in the entertainment industry spans nearly a decade. Jessie began tap dancing at the age of eleven under the direction of Cheryl Johnson and Anthony Peters at the Johnson & Peters Tap Dance Studio in Seattle. She has had the honor of studying with tap masters Arthur Duncan, Dianne Walker, and the late tap greats Cholly Atkins, Gregory Hines, Fayard Nicholas and Jimmy Slyde among others. Jessie has worked with Savion Glover and performed his choreography in DanceTHIS at the Paramount Theatre, where she was also invited to dance with the late Gregory Hines. Internationally, Jessie has been a featured soloist at the Vancouver International Tap Festival, where she has also shared the stage with Dianne Walker and has been assisting Ms. Walker's master classes for the last three years. Commercial credits include a promotional video for Intel, and commercials and appearances for Ivar's as their tap dancing clam mascot. In 2006, Jessie founded SoleSound Tap Dance Company, through which her choreography has been well received at venues including the Century Ballroom's Master of Lindy Hop and Tap, the Vancouver International Tap Festival, and Microsoft Corporation.

Back