JACOB BLANK began his dance training in Maryland at three, studying at Carroll County Dance Center & Ballet Conservatory. He received training in ballet, Graham and Limón-based modern, tap, jazz, and hip-hop there. Jacob also studied ballroom dance from the age of ten, and along with his dance partner, Jacob is nationally ranked. In 2018, Jacob began training at The Ailey School in New York City—enrolled in the Ailey/Fordham BFA program—and ultimately graduated with a double major in Dance and Mathematics. While there, Jacob performed in works by Fredrick Earl Mosley, Pedro Ruiz, Darshan Singh Bhuller, and Helen Simoneau. In 2019, Jacob participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, performing “Rocka My Soul” from Alvin Ailey’s Revelations; he later performed this work at New York City Center alongside the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) for the school’s anniversary performance. In 2022, Jacob performed at Lincoln Center, dancing the lead role in Elisa Clark’s re-staging of Robert Battle’s “Awakening”, Battle’s first work after becoming Artistic Director of AAADT. Since 2022, Jacob has been a Alison Cook Beatty Dance member, and this year marks his third season with the company.