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” and in 2010 was selected as one of the top ten finalists for “Greater Lansing Woman of the Year”. She teaches the highest levels of ballet and composition, and creative classes for young children.

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. In Summer of 2010, she was recruited for Happendanceês professional outreach performance team, Happendance to Go. Amy will be teaching many of the beginning and intermediate tap and jazz classes at Happendance School this fall.

Sarah started training at Happendance School at the age of 3 in Creative Movement. Eventually, she expanded her studies to include ballet, pointe, jazz, and modern dance, and also served as a Teaching Assistant throughout high school. Sarah was a member of Children’s Ballet Theatre of Michigan for 10 years where she advanced to the highest levels of performance. In addition, she has interned with Ellen Werksman’s Midwest Dance Collective in Chicago for the past 3 summers. Sarah recently graduated from Okemos High School and is now attending Michigan State University in the Lyman Briggs College. She teaches beginning and intermediate levels of ballet and pointe.

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 she 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 after maternity leave in 2010-11 she 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 often guest performs with the Happendance professional company, and teaches jazz and ballet at the school.

Danielle is the newest member of Happendance School faculty, received her BFA in modern dance and choreography from the College at Brockport, State University of New York in 2010. She has presented choreography across New England with her pickup company SelbyDance. In addition, she has performed with Libertina Dance Company (Queensbury, NY) and Nacre Dance Company (Albany, NY). Danielle is also an accomplished costumer and has constructed designs for Nacre, Libertina and her own company. Danielle was recently accepted into Happendance Professional Company, where she will be performing in public concerts as well as the outreach “Happendance To Go” team. She has taught a variety of dance styles and will be teaching modern/composition this fall.

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, pointe and variations.