May-Lisa Chandler

Co-Founder & Executive Artistic Director

Born in El Paso, Texas, raised in Sharon, Massachusetts, May-Lisa Chandler began her artistic journey at just two years old. She first trained in gymnastics at the Cathy Corrigan School of Gymnastics, where she later competed in the Junior Olympics. At the same time, she began studying dance with the Gene Peckham Dance School. As a teenager, Chandler shifted her primary focus to dance, immersing herself in ballet and modern techniques at the Roxbury Center for the Performing Arts. It was there that she discovered her true passion for the art form. After only a few years of dedicated training, Chandler was accepted into “A” Major Dance Company, where she performed a wide repertoire of lyrical-jazz and modern-ballet works. Her early performance experience led to a role as a classroom dancer in the film House Sitter, starring Goldie Hawn and Steve Martin. She later had the opportunity to work with renowned choreographers, including the legendary Gregory Hines.

Chandler’s professional development continued in New York City, where she trained intensively at The Ailey School. During her time in New York, she was invited by Joan Peters to join her Dunham Company and also freelanced with several smaller modern dance companies, expanding her versatility and artistic voice.

Returning to Boston marked a significant but welcome transition. Back home, Chandler began teaching ballet and modern dance throughout the Boston Public Schools, private programs, and community organizations including BalletRox, Roxbury Center for the Performing Arts, Sharon Dance Center, JP School of Dance, and the Bird Street Community Center. Through this work, she has been able to provide arts education, mentorship, and empowerment opportunities to inner-city youth.

Most recently, Chandler served as Artistic Director of One Luv Dance Company before co-founding Jo-Mé Dance Theatre, where she is the Founder, Owner, and Executive Artistic Director. At Jo-Mé Dance Theatre & Academy, Chandler is committed to expanding arts education, fostering self-awareness, and creating meaningful performance opportunities for dancers of all ages as they discover and embrace their unique artistic voices.