Happendance

Diane has been active in developing dance in the Lansing area since 1968 while a student at Michigan State University. She received a B.S. degree in Zoology with a dance minor, completing a Master's Degree in Parks and Recreation Resources Administration in 1975. While a graduate student, Diane began teaching at Lansing Community College; helped form the MSU Repertory Dance Company; established Newman Dance Theater (now Happendance School) in 1974; began teaching dance mechanics to competitive athletes in 1975; and in 1976 founded Happendance, a non-profit organization and mid-Michigan's only professional contemporary dance company. In 1981 Diane was selected by the Michigan Dance Association as Michigan Dance Teacher of the Year. She served as Artistic Director of Children's Ballet Theatre of Lansing from 1991-1995. She is currently the Executive Director of Happendance and continues to manage, teach, and develop the curriculum for Happendance School. Diane has co-authored a book with colleagues Beth Post and Dr. Lynnette Overby, published in 2005, to teach core curricula through dance, titled Interdisciplinary Learning through Dance: 101 MOVEntures. In 2007, Diane was selected by the Michigan Dance Council as Dance Educator of the Year. She teaches many levels of ballet, modern, composition, and creative classes for young children.

In 2002, Missy entered the graduate dance program at Arizona State University to earn an MFA degree in dance. After completing her degree Missy returned to Lansing where she currently serves as the Artistic Director of Happendance Professional Company, producing all concerts and outreach performances. At Happendance School, Missy teaches ballet, jazz, hip hop, modern dance and creative classes for young children in addition to running Happendance 2.

Missy is a former Happendance School student who also served as a teaching assistant to the program for 5 years. After graduation from Haslett High School, Missy attended the University of Michigan, completing her BFA in dance in 1998. Missy then auditioned and joined the Happendance professional company and Happendance School staff. She also served as the Dance Faculty Liaison at Lansing Community College from 1999-2002. Once again a Lansing area resident, Missy seeks to make dance her full-time career.

Callie is currently a student at MSU, majoring in Kinesiology-Exercise Science with a 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 is an Arts Bridge Scholar. She began teaching at Happendance School in the Fall of 2005 and continues teaching creative classes for young children and beginning level tap.

Amy is a long-term ballet and modern student at Happendance School and has also been a teaching assistant for the last seven years. 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, performing principal roles in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake. Now attending Michigan State University as an elementary education and dance specialization major, Amy will be teaching beginning ballet, creative classes for young children, and lyrical dance 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. Besides contributing to the company as choreographer and performer, Kay also served as Concert Director for many productions. 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 taught at Happendance School during the early 90’s, though she took a leave of absence to start a family. Rejoining the staff in 2002, Kay brings a wealth of dance experience to her teaching of beginning ballet and modern classes.

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 Angela 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 a variety of jazz, ballet and tap classes.

Patty joined Happendance School staff in 1998. She moved to the Lansing area from Holland, Michigan, where she was teaching dance in the Black River Public Schools and in community ballet and modern dance classes offered by 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. A seasoned professional, Patty teaches many levels of ballet at Happendance School.