Jessica Leyva

Executive Director

Earning a BFA from the University of California, Irvine in Dance Performance, Journalism, and Arts Administration, Ms. Leyva quickly established herself as both a business owner and “one to watch” in the local field of cultural development. Cutting her teeth as an intern at both Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in their production and development departments, Ms. Leyva was introduced to the world of non-profit arts management at a young age and quickly rose to establish herself as a freelance grant writer, Business Operations and Special Projects Manager at PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, and Executive Director of Chicago Dance Crash. Ms. Leyva also serves on the Community Collaborations Planning and Technical Development Committees in partnership with The Walder Foundation. A classically trained ballerina and contemporary dance artist, Ms. Leyva is also an active practitioner in Chicago’s street dance and popping community and has been known to grace the Crash stage when called upon.