About Jesse Weise

Pottery and clay




Let me tell you a little bit about me. I was a dancer first. Although I didn't actually start taking dance classes until I was 13 or so, I would say that I have always danced. As a little girl you could hear me say "look at me!" as I twirled about.

I am still twirling and I like to believe that I will never stop. I teach and I love it. Dancing still makes me feel alive. I continue to dance for myself, in my living room, in the park and with my partner, at the studio, anywhere!

Speaking of dancing first is important because it has influenced all that I do.

When I discovered pottery I fell completely in love with clay. It was difficult at first and took me a while until I started to be with clay in a new way, to learn how to be with clay. I discovered the movement of clay. So I became the dancing potter. I would pot for hours. I would lie down when I got home and feel the wheel the way one feels the sea when you get off of the boat.

Clay moves in mysterious ways. I must stay centered and find the flow when I make pottery. There is a stillness at the centre of your movement. You can't rush clay. I have made lots of bad pots before I made ones that I was proud of. I wish I had kept a couple of the ugly ones, the heavy ones, the ridiculous ones from my humble beginning.

I continue to learn and grow in my work. To find my way somewhat organically. I still love it after 25 years. My goal is to make beautiful, playful pieces to delight. I love that my work spends time with people. People are an important part of my work because I love to connect with my community. I love that people see, feel and enjoy my work every day. It is part of why I make functional art!

Dance and movement

I mainly trained in Vancouver and New York studying jazz, modern, musical theatre, ballet, contemporary, and hip hop. To round out my dance training I also studied acting, gymnastics and martial arts. I have been dancing for over 30 years and teaching for close to 25. I enjoy teaching immensely.

​I believe it is important for students to build a strong technical base as well as learning to dance from the heart.

I help dancers toward self direction and self discovery within the choreography. I work hard to make my classes demanding but within reach of the students.  Come ready to work your butt off.​ 💃

Music and song
Music is another way I have always expressed myself. I love to sing and feel especially grateful to have worked through so much using music. I’m self taught with much fumbling and some help along the way I have acquired a unique style, I like to think. 

I write and compose my own songs.  I use song whenever my heart needs to be wrung out expressing myself with words and music.

I recorded my first full length live album of my own work before my debut music festival performance.

Feel free to listen to the album on SoundCloud or on most streaming platforms.  If you feel like supporting me and my music  you can also purchase the album on CD Baby, iTunes and other online music stores.