Happendance

Diane, co-founded Happendance, mid-Michigan's only non-profit professional contemporary dance company, in 1976. She is currently the Executive Director of the organization and continues to manage, teach, and develop the curriculum for Happendance School. Diane co-authored Interdisciplinary Learning through Dance: 101 MOVEntures published in 2005 with colleagues Beth Post and Dr. Lynnette Overby to teach core curricula through dance. In 2007, Diane was selected by the state organization Michigan Dance Council as ‘Dance Educator of the Year’. She teaches many levels of ballet, composition, and creative classes for young children.

Matt started training at Happendance School at the age of 12. He continued his training at Lansing Community College and received a full scholarship to attend the American Dance Festival in 2003. After an internship with Happendance in 1999, he joined the company with full status in 2001. In 2004, as an innovative extension of Happendance, Matt conceived and implemented a showcase for emerging choreographers which has since developed into the Community Dance Project. Matt co-directed Happendance’s winter concert “Man in a Can” in 2006 and was artistic director of Happendance To Go, the company’s education team, in 2007. At Happendance School, Matt occasionally teaches the High Intermediate Modern class and will be teaching the Boys Dance class this year.

Callie graduated from MSU in Spring 2008, majoring in Kinesiology-Exercise Science and Dance Specialization. Since graduating in 2002 from Everett High School and its outstanding dance program, she has taught creative dance for Delta Township Parks and Rec, the Oak Park YMCA, and the Bath Community Recreation program. Callie has also taught through the Orchesis program at MSU and was an Arts Bridge Scholar. She is a certified Zumba instructor as well. Callie began teaching at Happendance School in the Fall of 2005 and continues teaching creative classes for young children, zumba, and beginning levels of tap and jazz.

Amy has been a long-term student at Happendance School and was a teaching assistant for several years before high school graduation from Okemos High School. As an advanced ballet student, she performed with Happendance at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Gala in 2005. She was a member of Children’s Ballet Theatre from 2000-2006. Now attending Michigan State University as an elementary education and dance specialization major, Amy will be teaching beginning ballet and creative classes for young children at Happendance School this year.

Kay graduated from MSU as an interior design major with a dance minor. She joined Happendance professional company in 1981, where she also became a performing member of the Lecture Demonstration Team from 1982-1999. A seasoned veteran, she was a featured performer in Happendance’s Silver Anniversary concert “25 Alive!” in 2001 and in the 30th year celebration in 2007. Kay also volunteers on the wardrobe committee for Children’s Ballet Theatre with whom both her daughters dance extensively. She resumed teaching at Happendance School in 2002 and brings a wealth of dance experience to her teaching of beginning ballet levels and creative modern classes.

Missy studied all forms of dance at Happendance School and also served as a teaching assistant for many years. She attended the University of Michigan, completing her BFA in dance in 1998. In 2002, Missy entered the graduate dance program at Arizona State University to earn an M.F.A. degree in dance. Returning permanently to Lansing, bringing with her a wealth of new knowledge and experience, Missy was hired as the Artistic Director of Happendance Professional Company and also manages the youth group, Happendance 2. Missy rejoined the Happendance School staff and primarily teaches modern dance, jazz, composition and creative classes for young children.

Angela is a former Happendance student who completed her B.A. in Dance from Western Michigan University. Her early studies included not only ballet, tap and jazz at Happendance, but was also a member of the Children’s Ballet Theatre throughout high school. Upon graduation, she studied locally at LCC and Greater Lansing Ballet Company. Later, she studied professionally at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in New York City. Angela joined the Happendance School staff in 2003 and continues to teach high level tap classes.

Tracy is a recent graduate of Grand Valley State University where she received a B.A. in dance and a minor in business. As a young student, she danced at Happendance School for several years studying ballet, partnering, modern dance, jazz, and hip hop. She also studied ballet at The Flint School of Performing Arts and performed extensively with Children's Ballet Theatre of Lansing. Tracy attended several summer ballet training programs including those hosted by the Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and the Joffrey Ballet. Tracy was most recently a member of the Grand Rapids Rampage's professional dance team during their 2008 season. She has joined the Happendance professional company and teaches jazz and ballet at the school.

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.