About Happendance

  • Our Mission

    To stimulate support for the art of dance through performances and educational programs.

    To broaden the accessibility of dance to a diverse community and promote dance for
    lifelong physical and mental fitness.

  • Our History

    In June 1976, Diane Newman organized a small group of dancers to stage a free summer performance on the grassy banks of the Red Cedar River flood plain behind the Auditorium Building on the MSU campus. People would happen by to watch the dancers rehearse, and ultimately the group promoted the performance as Happendance. Thus, mid-Michigan’s only professional dance company was born.

    For over thirty-five years, Diane continued to lead the organization, training others to direct, choreograph, perform, and teach at Happendance School. She enlisted a supportive group of volunteers and board members to help secure her vision for Happendance as an outstanding cultural treasure for the entire community to engage with and enjoy.

  • Our Founder

    Diane Newman founded Happendance Contemporary Dance Company in 1976 and has served as a performing artist, master instructor, choreographer, artistic director, and executive director at different times during its 40-year history. Always an educator, she contributed her private studio of instruction to the organization in 1993, renaming it Happendance School and developing its multi-year curricula in ballet and modern dance.

Known throughout Michigan and beyond for its long history of artistic excellence and exceptional community service, Happendance boasts three focus areas – Performance, Education, and Engagement. Performance opportunities at Happendance are inspiring, frequent, and diverse. The Happendance Professional Company is the longest running professional contemporary dance company in Michigan, known for its compelling concerts of original work by both local and nationally known choreographers. Founded in 1976, Happendance Dancers and Choreographers are committed to excellence in performance and service, evidenced by their commitment to education, mentorship of emerging artists, community leadership, and outreach and engagement. Happendance performing companies offer innovative, top-notch opportunities for both professional and emerging artists, and regional audiences at a level usually found only in large cities.

Happendance School offers a learning-centered environment, where dance is taught as a holistic, developmentally-appropriate process connecting technical skills and creative expression. Classes are of reasonable size, affording the professionally-trained faculty the opportunity to maximize personal attention, including helping students learn how to establish and achieve goals that match their personal interests, age, and physical development.

Happendance Professionals bring dance to area schools via Happendance Education Exchange. Performing work that enhances academic curriculum, Happendance Education Exchange visits over thirty area schools serving 6,000 school children each year bringing professional, high-quality dance to Mid-Michigan Schools. Happendance Professionals also complete longer-term residencies in area schools through Happendance as well as MSUFCU Institute for Arts & Creativity at Wharton Center. Community Dance Project (CDP) was created by Matt Bebermeyer and is administered by Happendance in collaboration with community partners. CDP develops and supports both emerging and professional choreographers and dancers through wide ranging performing, choreographic, and educational opportunities throughout the year. The highlight of CDP is its Summer Dance Festival encompassing over 25 performances of over 70 original works by over 80 dancers, seven master classes, and a company residency.

Staff

Board of Directors

  • Sherrie Blankenship

    President

  • Terrion Maxwell

    Vice President

  • Jim Linnemann

    Treasurer

  • Jessica Livingston

    Secretary

  • Matt Bebermyer

    Board Member

  • Kathy Smith

    Board Member

  • Chien-An Yuan

    Board Member