Meet the Dancers: AJ Joehl's Balance of Strength and Flow
From Saint Louis Dance Theatre's "Meet the Dancers" series.
What keeps a contemporary dancer grounded while constantly pushing boundaries? For AJ Joehl, now in her third season with Saint Louis Dance Theatre, it's all about the transitions—both in movement and in life.
AJ’s journey to STLDT traces back to childhood, taking classes in Birmingham, Ala., then furthering her passion for dance at Dance Industry Performing Arts Center in Dallas. From there, she headed west to the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, graduating with a BFA in 2023. During her time at USC, she explored movement with some of the biggest names in contemporary dance: William Forsythe, Jermaine Spivey, and Barak Marshall. She performed repertoire from Jiří Kylián, Ohad Naharin, and Kyle Abraham—a dream lineup for any young dancer building their artistic foundation.
Contemporary dance remains AJ's north star, shaping how she approaches every piece. "It influences me by grounding me and emphasizing the importance of fluidity of transitions," she explains. "It also pushes me to expand my range of movement and style." That philosophy—staying grounded while expanding—shows up in everything she does, from her approach to choreography to how she navigates the physical demands of professional dance.
And those demands are real. AJ lives with EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), conditions that make the physical aspects of dance uniquely challenging. "It is always a challenge to push my body without injuring or overworking the muscles," she shares. "POTS can also make it difficult to push through the day physically if the necessary precautions are not taken." That reality makes her commitment to contemporary dance training and performance all the more remarkable—and reveals the mental toughness behind the fluid movement audiences see onstage.
When AJ needs to recharge, she heads to Bowood by Niche, her favorite St. Louis spot for unwinding. And when she's at home? You might be surprised to find her at her PC, gaming. "I really enjoy gaming," she says. "I have a PC at home and play games such as Valorant or Marvel Rivals."
For fuel, AJ keeps it simple: rice and eggs with her own special twist. It's the kind of reliable, adaptable meal that fits a dancer's life—easy to prepare, satisfying, and always hits the spot.
Among STLDT's repertoire, one piece stands out for AJ: Come…the Sun Doesn't Wait by Omar Román de Jesús. "The choreography was most parallel to how I typically like to move," she reflects. "It was both a challenge and a comfort to move in that way, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have performed the piece."
When looking for inspiration, AJ turns to music. "Songs have the power to influence movement and it's my most common inspiration," she says. And her current playlist proves it: “Romeo and Juliet” by Peter McPoland, “Firelight” by Hundred Waters, and “Blu” by Jon Bellion are on repeat.
Ready to experience AJ and the rest of Saint Louis Dance Theatre's incredible company this season? Don't miss the Love Languages performances throughout the year! And for more on AJ, check out her full bio.
There are two ways to support dancers like AJ. Donate today or subscribe to experience this season's world-class productions.
