Abdiel Jacobsen

Abdiel Jacobsen (they/them) is an Assistant Professor in Dance at Scripps College, renowned for their expertise in Latin Hustle, cultural preservation, and gender-neutral partner dancing. Co-founder of the free public dance event Dance is Life, Abdiel revitalizes traditional dance spaces while fostering human connection and communal healing. Their teaching experience spans prestigious institutions like Juilliard School, Harvard University, and Stanford University, emphasizing inclusivity and physical storytelling.

• Education: M.F.A. and B.F.A. in Dance.
• Research Focus: Explores Latin Hustle’s creative evolution, gender roles in dance, and sociopolitical activism through movement.
• Key Publications: 2024 chapter on cultural reclamation in Latin Hustle, 2022 interview on Martha Graham Dance Company, and 2015 book on dancing in heels.
• Awards: Former Fulbright Specialist and Mellon Foundation Humanities in Place grant recipient.
• Teaching Philosophy: Advocates for equal exchange in dance education, often teaching in heels to empathize with students.