Certifications
- BFA in Modern Dance from the University of Utah School of Dance
- Phyllis A. Haskell Scholarship, Etta Keith Eskridge Scholarship, awarded by the University of Utah School of Dance
- Acrobatic Arts Certified Teacher
- CPR Certified
- Formal studies and training in Dance Education and Pedagogy for ages 5-18 through the University of Utah School of Dance
- 8 years of teaching experience
Biography
Susan grew up on a farm in a small town in New Hampshire, about an hour north of Boston. She found a love for moving to music, and let it take her to the University of Utah, where she earned a BFA in Modern Dance and a BS in Anatomy and Physiology. While in school, Susan had the privilege of performing original works by professional artists LAJAMARTIN and Melanie George, Donald Mckayle repertory “Songs of the Disinherited”, and MFA theses by Kellie St. Pierre and Austin Hardy, along with several student and self-choreographed works. She also attended the American Dance Festival in 2022 where she performed an original work by Kimberly Bartosik as part of the festival’s summer concert series. Susan found herself training extensively in contemporary, modern, improvisation, ballet, jazz, hip hop, circus arts, and West African dance forms throughout her career and found excitement in mixing dance forms in her own choreography. She taught dance starting in high school and continued to have opportunities to share her love for moving through giving master classes, guest choreographing, and teaching jobs during her undergraduate experience. In her work, she likes to use physicality, athleticism, musicality, humor, and curiosity to explore the human body and all it’s capable of. After her time in Utah, Susan made the move to Minnesota to pursue a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and a PhD in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Minnesota, which is allowing her to share her love for movement by means of helping heal others. Susan spends her free time skiing, hiking, and mountain biking, watching Boston sports games, and volunteering with adaptive sports programs. She loves to move and build relationships, which is why she loves teaching dance!