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. Happendance Professional Company is the longest running professional modern 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 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 to 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.