Sue Samuels

In 2016 a multimedia stage show called Jazz on the West Side which used new interpretations of songs from West Side Story featured choreography by Sue Samuels.

Samuels is the founder and artistic director of Jazz Roots Dance Company, which was formed in 2009 to preserve and promote the classic jazz dance style. She considers choreography the foundation of her practice and almost all of the Jazz Roots Dance Company repertory is arranged by her. While preserving her own works she also maintains performance of significant pieces by choreographers including Luigi, Matt Maddox, Phil Black, Bob Fosse, Jack Cole, Ron Lewis among others. The company’s First Season and Gala at the Peridance Capezio Center was produced by Samuels and Jazz Roots Dance embarked on a tour to Los Angeles.

She has been on the faculty at Broadway Dance Center since 1986 and also teaches at Peridance Capezio Center, both in New York City. She has also taught at The Ailey Extension for many years.

At the age of 13 Samuels started her dance training in 1962. This began at the Broward Civic Ballet in Florida. She became this company's first soloist. performing here for six years. She studied in New York with Madame Swoboda of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Samuels developed a multi discipline practice by simultaneously studying jazz dance with JoJo Smith, Frank Hatchett and Michael Shawn, tap with Judy Bassing and Kathy Burke, and voice with William Daniel Grey and Susan Edwards.

Sue Samuels (born May 15, 1949) is an American dancer, choreographer, master jazz teacher and performer. She is the founder and artistic director of Jazz Roots Dance Company.