CEO Artistic Director

I dance because it is the act that makes me feel most alive and most present in the moment. Through dance I can express aspects of my human experience that there are no words for. Growing up at Happendance gave me the opportunity to see what it was like to try as hard as I could every day to inch closer and closer to goals that were physical, creative, mental and emotional. This process gave me the tools to create a life for myself that makes me feel empowered, joyful and satisfied. Working here means that I get to  express and share this with my community. It is an honor and a privilege. I am inspired every day by so many of my amazing mentors over the years. They all have the following things in common: soul-guided excellence combined with kindness and rock-solid work ethic. Missy holds a BFA in Dance from University of Michigan (Earl V. Moore Award, Axon Merit Scholarship) and MFA in Dance from Arizona State University (Hope Hineman Fellowship). Her thesis, “An Investigation into Business Models in Nonprofit Dance in the United States” was published by Arizona State Press in 2008. She is a presenter for National Dance Education Organization, and has presented her research both nationally and internationally. As a concert dance performer, she has danced in works by Martha Graham, Paul Taylor, Isadora Duncan, Doris Humphrey, Peter Sparling, Yvonne Rainner, Mark Haim, David Dorfman, Robin Wilson, Bill DeYoung, Jessica Fogle, and more. She’s danced and toured as a member of five professional companies (Happendance Velocity, 100th Monkey, Travesty Dance Group Cleveland, A. Ludwig Dance Theater, Rayn  Dance Theater.) Missy has choreographed over 30 works for concert dance and musical theater stages. She has conducted residencies at Columbia College and University of Texas and has served as adjunct faculty for Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre, Alma College, Albion College Lansing Community College and Arizona State University. Missy was elected to the Lansing Schools Board of Education in 2016. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Dance Council and is a member of Mayor Andy Schor’s Arts and Culture Commission.

Founder and Director Emerita, Faculty member

Why do you dance?

My Self responds to the integration of rhythm and movement and always has. As a young child I was whirling wildly and totally investing myself without judgment. My parents noticed and formal training began. At the senior age I am now, dancing is a welcome comfort. It reminds me of who I am — past, present and future. As the thread of my life continues to unfold, dance remains my beloved partner. 

Why do you choose to continue working at Happendance?

Why not? After 45 years I suppose it is somewhat a habit, a ritual. But Happendance is a deep well of life, art, friendships, opportunities, and memories. I drink in as much as I can handle and still find it refreshing and engaging.  

What are some things, quotes and/or people who inspire you?

There are many famous people I admire but they are distant heroes. The people who inspire me the most are homegrown, people I actually know and can learn from by observing how they handle life’s problems, from joyful to tragic.  Beyond this, science and nature continue to be great personal motivators to hike, bike, garden, birdwatch and listen. “To Be of Use” by Marge Piercy is one of my favorite poems. 

Diane Newman: Founder and Director Emerita, Faculty member Diane Newman is a professional dancer, director, and educator. An MSU alumna, she holds a Bachelor’s degree is in zoology (dance minor) and a Master’s degree in parks and recreation resource administration (communications minor). 

In 1976 she founded Happendance, Michigan’s longest-operating professional contemporary dance company. Additionally, Diane created an outreach component of Happendance that continues to provide dance performances, classroom workshops, and extended teaching residencies throughout mid-Michigan. It is known as Happendance In Schools-Education Exchange. 

In 1981 and again in 2007, Diane was honored by the Michigan Dance Council as Michigan Dance Educator of the Year. She is currently the Director Emerita of Happendance and continues to teach, and develop the curriculum for Happendance School. She is a featured presenter and teacher at regional and national education conferences and workshops and has taught at Interlochen Arts Camp and Michigan State University. 

Diane also co-authored 101 MOVEntures: Interdisciplinary Learning through Dance, which features lessons for the K-5 classroom teacher who wants to use dance and movement to reinforce core curriculum and the arts. Now retired, Diane was an adjunct professor/lecturer for 11 years in the MSU Residential College Arts and Humanities where she taught courses in dance appreciation and nonprofit management.

Director of Commercial Curriculum

Dubbed “a dancing entrepreneur” by The New York Times, choreographer Glenn Douglas Packard has worked with some of the biggest acts in entertainment including Pink, Marc Anthony, Missy Elliot, Nelly Furtado, Whitney Houston, Usher and Liza Minelli. He was even honored with an Emmy nomination for his artistic direction on Michael Jackson’s 30th Anniversary Celebration at Madison Square Garden. He is founder and director of The INstitute of Dancers, Michigan’s only commercial dance training program/professional company. 

Glenn grew up in the small town of Clare, Michigan, working on his family’s dairy farm. He planned to take over the family business until at 19 years old, his entire world was turned upside down. Glenn was in a devastating tractor accident that broke his back and nearly cost him his right leg. He was hospitalized for a year; infection spread over his body and almost took his life. While lying in the hospital, Glenn promised himself that if God helped him recover, he would do the one thing he always dreamed of doing – enroll in dance school.

Glenn took his first dance class at the age of 21. During this time, Glenn was also introduced to Brooke Hogan. The two became fast friends; their antics can be seen on the hit VH1 reality show, Brooke Knows Best.. He choreographed Brooke’s tours and music videos, including “Everything to Me”.

Meanwhile, Glenn’s dancing career was flourishing. In addition to choreographing the music videos and stage performances for many of today’s top music icons — and being asked to offer a special performance to Morroco’s king, Mohammed VI – Glenn’s work was featured on NBC’s Saturday Night Live and on HBO. 

Visit Glenn online at GlennDouglasPackard.com!

Operations and Financial Manager, Artistic Director for Happendance Accelerant Competition Team, Faculty Member

Jennah studied at LCC for Business and Accounting. She is also a dance company member with the INstitute of Dancers where she is training to achieve her dream of one day dancing on stage with P!NK. Jennah has loved dance since a very young age and has used dance as an outlet throughout her life. As a survivor of life’s many dark and uncertain situations, she advocates for dance as therapy for emotional hardships. That is Jennah’s “why do you dance?”, it has pulled her out of mental and emotional lows and gave her a purpose to keep going forward. She chooses Happendance because it has always been a place of exploration and growth for her. Jennah has said “Happendance has pushed me to be a person I never thought I could be and has raised me to a place of self-love, acceptance, and limitless opportunity.”

Favorite Quote: “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” — Marilyn Monroe

Assistant Director for Happendance Impulse Student Company, Faculty Member

Chloe has been training in modern and ballet for over 20 years and attended the University of Michigan to pursue a BFA in dance (2017). She has had the opportunity to work with notable artists such as Meredith Monk (Quarry, restaged 2017), Richard Alston (Brisk Singing, restaged 2015), Peter Sparling (Vox Femina (Girl Talk), 2014) among others. She is also a current company member of Suttle Dance (Novi) and Happendance Velocity (Okemos). She is an Assistant Director for Impulse and is currently teaching Contemporary and Dance Composition at Happendance. She is always excited to share her experiences with other movers, whether that be in the studio or at a safe, virtual distance (though her cat – whose credentials are un-verified – may insist on co-teaching).

Faculty Member

Kortnei has been dancing since she was 4. She got into dance because her mom wanted her to be a part of something that would keep her active and a good friend of hers had a sister who owned a dance studio. That is how she wound up dancing at Tari’s Cornerstone. She continued dancing because she grew to love how you can just throw all of your emotions into a piece of choreography. She teaches for the same reason. She also loves seeing the look on a kid’s face when they finally achieve a trick they’ve been working so hard to get. In addition to dancing at Tari’s, Kortnei trained in gymnastics at Twistars. She has recently graduated with her degree in human biology (2019) and works for an environmental lab in Holt.

Director of Tap Curriculum, Faculty Member

Amy holds two degrees in Music Education, so it is no surprise that Tap is her first love in dance. Amy’s dance training has included tap, ballet, lyrical, jazz and hip hop. Her tap training has come from educators and artists such as Jerry Flint, Jason Samuel Smith, Diane Walker, Arthur Duncan, Michelle Dorance, and Jason Janas. Amy’s life has taken her to various parts of the Midwest, where she participated in the fields of dance, music, and theatre, including Timberlake Playhouse and Elkhart Civic Theatre. She was a K-12 certified Music Educator in Indiana and Michigan before having her daughters, Olivia and Isabelle with her husband, Mark. Amy currently teaches early childhood music classes at the MSU Community Music School as well as all levels of Tap at Happendance. She also instructed the K-2 division of Impulse, the Happendance performing ensemble, for 3 years. Amy loves teaching tap students of all ages and levels how to create musical and percussive artistry with their feet. She believes that as they learn to really let go and listen to their feet, the magic will truly begin.