It all began with a foundry

Jump Off Arts is a multidisciplinary arts company that supports the growth, education, and visibility of dancers and performing artists.

We provide college and career coaching, audition preparation, and consulting services for artists pursuing education and professional development. In addition, Jump Off Arts offers space for the creation, presentation, and production of artistic work — from workshops and intensives to performances and artist-led projects.

Our mission is to help artists launch, build, and sustain their creative journeys through mentorship, strategy, and platforms that center artistry and access.

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A Word From the Founder //

A Word From the Founder //

Image of Napoleon Gladney

About Napoleon W. Gladney (Founder)

I know what it feels like to be a young dancer with big dreams but no clear roadmap. As a teenager, I wasn’t sure where to turn when it came to the next steps in dance and education. For career day in high school, I created my own job shadow with a local ballet company because opportunities like that simply didn’t exist for someone like me. By 16, I had graduated high school and entered college, relying almost entirely on the internet to piece together information about programs.

What changed everything for me was mentorship. University faculty — friends and colleagues of my high school dance teacher — gave me the professional and academic insight I needed to present myself as a strong, competitive applicant. Their guidance pushed me to level up my training, take on more rigorous academics, and ultimately earn admission to my dream school: Chapman University (BFA, Dance Performance ’08).

That support ignited a lifelong passion for helping other dancers access the opportunities they deserve. At Chapman, I became an orientation assistant, peer guidance counselor, tour guide, and auditions assistant for the Dance Department — always eager to share what I had learned with prospective students.

Since then, dance has taken me around the world. I’ve toured internationally, taught in multiple countries, and served as faculty in a commercial dance university program. My career has spanned the stage, screen, and arts leadership: from performing with contemporary companies, to working commercially in Los Angeles and New York, to serving as Dance Captain in Wicked the Musical, to my current roles as Director of Theatrical Programming & Presentations at Ensemble Arts Philly and Executive Director of LA Contemporary Dance Company. Through all of it, I’ve seen how preparation, strategy, and mentorship shape sustainable careers in dance.

With Jump Off Arts, I’m bringing that experience full circle. My goal is to provide the kind of coaching and consulting I wish I had as a young dancer — guiding students and professionals alike to take confident leaps into college programs, auditions, and career transitions.

Because I believe every dancer deserves access to the tools, mentorship, and support that make their artistry — and their future — possible.

FAQs

  • If you’re a dancer preparing for college program auditions, a student considering graduate school, or a professional figuring out your next career move, Jump Off Arts is for you. We also work with parents, educators, and schools who want to support young artists.

  • Not at all! Many dancers come to us with questions like, “Where do I even start?” That’s exactly what coaching is for. We’ll map out your options and create a clear, personalized plan together.

  • Great question! Guidance counselors and studio teachers are incredible resources, but they don’t always have deep insight into the professional dance world or the admissions process for competitive programs. Jump Off Arts blends real-world industry experience (Broadway, professional companies, leadership in arts organizations) with academic knowledge of college dance admissions — so you get both artistry and strategy in one place.

  • Think of it like having a rehearsal director for your future. You could wing it, but having someone who knows the choreography of the process will save you time, stress, and help you put your best foot forward. If you’re serious about pursuing dance in higher education or as a career, coaching is an investment in yourself.

  • Accessibility matters to us. That’s why we offer à la carte sessions, sliding-scale spots each season, and workshops through schools and studios. You don’t have to book a full package to get the guidance you need.

  • “Jump Off” is all about that first leap — whether it’s into college, onto the stage, or toward a new career chapter. It’s bold, a little daring, and full of possibility. Exactly how pursuing your dreams should feel.

  • It’s a free 20-minute chat where we get to know each other. You can tell your coach about your goals, We’ll explain how the process works, and if it’s a good fit, we’ll set up your next steps. Think of it as a no-pressure audition for the coaching process.