Happendance

Missy Lilje (BFA in Dance, University of Michigan; MFA in Dance, Arizona State University) has toured nationally and over-seas, presenting her research and performing with the five professional companies she's been a part of (Happendance, 100th Monkey, A. Ludwig Dance Theater, Rayn Dance Theater and Travesty Dance Group.) Missy has a long history with Happendance and serves it in many capacities. She studied with Diane Newman from age seven through high school. Between her university studies in Ann Arbor and Phoenix she successfully auditioned for the Happendance professional company and taught at the school, and also served as Dance Faculty Liaison at Lansing Community College. From Arizona she moved back to Lansing and has been busy with Happendance ever since. She teaches at the school, is an Artistic Director for the professional dancers of the Winter Concert and the To Go outreach team, as well as the pre-professional dancers of Happendance 2. She has also served as an adjunct faculty member at MSU, LCC and Albion College. Missy serves on the Board of Directors of Happendance and of the Michigan Dance Council.

Andrew is a Monterey, California native who began his dance studies at Pacific Grove High School. He won a competitive scholarship to study at Stephens College where he received a BFA in dance. He went on to dance with Mordine & Company Dance Theatre in Chicago and with Indiana Ballet Theatre NW. Andrew has taught at Columbia College in Chicago and is currently teaching at Danceworks, Happendance, and Greater Lansing Ballet Company in Lansing. He auditioned for Happendance professional company in August 2004 and was accepted with full- status. Andrew was served as the Artistic Director of the company's education outreach team Happendance To Go in 2005-2006, and co-directed the Winter Concert in 2006.

This will be Amy’s first season with the professional outreach performance team, Happendance To Go. She is also teaching many of the beginning and intermediate tap and jazz classes at Happendance School. Amy has been a professional dance educator for 22 years, primarily teaching tap, jazz, and lyrical. She has studied and taught at various studios throughout mid-Michigan, expanding her training at numerous dance conventions and at Lansing Community College, where she performed in many JazzAbout and Hot Feet productions. For the past eight years Amy has been the full-time dance teacher at Pleasant View Magnet School for the Arts in the Lansing School District, developing its dance program curriculum.

Michael joined the Happendance Professional Company at an exciting time this year, becoming one of the six company members to perform in New York City in October. He brings a variety of experience as a dancer, having performed, taught and choreographed in the styles of Contemporary, Jazz/Funk, Tap, and Hip-Hop. In addition to performing in showcases and concerts, he has danced in music videos such as Miley Cyrus' "Who Owns My Heart?" and The Wannabes' "Let's Go". He was also a member of the Detroit Radio Disney Dancers, and opened for several Disney stars concerts, including The Jonas Brothers, The Cheetah Girls, Corbin Bleu, and Raven Symmone. His film acting credits include the role of Young Sam in the movie "The Butterfly Effect: Revelations." In addition to his work as a Happendance company member, Michael teaches summer intensives, and choreographs pieces for competition studios and companies.

Information coming soon.

Danielle Selby received her BFA in modern dance and choreography from the College at Brockport, State University of New York. She has presented choreography at Revisited, an annual Alumni showcase in Manhattan, NY; Fertile Ground in Queens, NY; Etc. Performance Series in Philadelphia, PA; and Rebound in New Haven CT. She performed at the Judson Church as a part of the Bailout series and at the House of Blues in New Orleans, LA. Selby has danced for Libertina Dance Company (Queensbury, NY) and Nacre Dance Company (Albany, NY), the highlight of her experience with Nacre being performing Doris Humphrey and Ruth St Denis‘ Soaring. She became a member of Happendance Professional Company and To Go Team for the 2011-2012 season.

Patty joined Happendance School staff in 1998. She moved to the Lansing area from Holland, Michigan, where she taught dance in the Black River Public Schools and ballet and modern dance classes offered through the Holland Area Arts Council. She also taught at Hope College where she received her B.F.A. in dance (1991) and was honored with a Distinguished Artists Award. Patty served as ballet mistress for the Junior Company of the Holland Area Youth Ballet, as a soloist and rehearsal director for Aerial Dance Theater, and is presently working with Children’s Ballet Theatre. She received a Distinguished Service award in May 2009 from Happendance for her 10 years on staff at Happendance School. Patty has recently joined the professional company and continues to teach a variety of levels of ballet and pointe.