About Bethany
Bethany J. Hansen, a distinguished graduate holding a BA from Brigham Young University and an MFA from Jacksonville University, is a highly sought-after professional in the realms of dance. With an extensive background as a director, teacher, choreographer, and performer, Bethany currently holds pivotal roles as the Artistic Director, Chair of the Dance Department, and Dance Conservatory Director at the Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts (since 2007). Simultaneously, she serves as the Assistant Chair of the Dance Department and faculty member at Westminster College (since 2014).
Bethany's innovative leadership has played a transformative role in shaping Utah's premier performing arts high school. Her meticulous focus on pedagogical practices has empowered students to pursue professional careers with renowned entities such as Repertory Dance Theatre, The Walt Disney Company, Central West Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, Movement Talent Agency, and Stiletto Entertainment. Additionally, her students have secured scholarships for collegiate studies at esteemed institutions like Ailey/Fordham University, Marymount Manhattan College, The Boston Conservatory, CAL Arts, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and numerous other distinguished programs.
A dedicated educator, Bethany has developed a comprehensive curriculum for the entire dance department of a charter school, ensuring a well-rounded and structured educational program. Her instructional prowess spans diverse dance disciplines, including ballet, modern contemporary, improvisation, and choreography. Her versatile teaching approach is underscored by her commitment to cultivating students' understanding and proficiency in these dance forms.
As a performer, Bethany has graced stages in notable productions like "Charette" and "Emerge" with Repertory Dance Theatre and Bay Area Dance in San Francisco. She has guest-performed in cities including Jacksonville, Florida, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Rexburg, Idaho. A prolific choreographer, Bethany's work has been showcased throughout the United States and Canada, with over 50 choreographed works to her credit. Her true passion lies in the studio, where she meticulously develops her next piece of choreography.
Bethany has had the privilege of training under the guidance of distinguished artists such as Pat Debenham, Peggy Hackney, Kay Anderson, Alonzo King, Ana Sanchez-Colberg, Christina Teague-Mann, and Cari Coble. Her outstanding contributions to dance education and the arts have been recognized through various awards, including the 2019 Utah Dance Education Organization Teacher of the Year for Higher Education, the 2016 Howard Gilman Fellowship supporting her MFA, the Sorenson Legacy Award for Excellence in Arts Education 2016 Outstanding Secondary Dance Educator, and the SPA Legend award from the Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts.
Bethany's innovative leadership has played a transformative role in shaping Utah's premier performing arts high school. Her meticulous focus on pedagogical practices has empowered students to pursue professional careers with renowned entities such as Repertory Dance Theatre, The Walt Disney Company, Central West Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, Movement Talent Agency, and Stiletto Entertainment. Additionally, her students have secured scholarships for collegiate studies at esteemed institutions like Ailey/Fordham University, Marymount Manhattan College, The Boston Conservatory, CAL Arts, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and numerous other distinguished programs.
A dedicated educator, Bethany has developed a comprehensive curriculum for the entire dance department of a charter school, ensuring a well-rounded and structured educational program. Her instructional prowess spans diverse dance disciplines, including ballet, modern contemporary, improvisation, and choreography. Her versatile teaching approach is underscored by her commitment to cultivating students' understanding and proficiency in these dance forms.
As a performer, Bethany has graced stages in notable productions like "Charette" and "Emerge" with Repertory Dance Theatre and Bay Area Dance in San Francisco. She has guest-performed in cities including Jacksonville, Florida, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Rexburg, Idaho. A prolific choreographer, Bethany's work has been showcased throughout the United States and Canada, with over 50 choreographed works to her credit. Her true passion lies in the studio, where she meticulously develops her next piece of choreography.
Bethany has had the privilege of training under the guidance of distinguished artists such as Pat Debenham, Peggy Hackney, Kay Anderson, Alonzo King, Ana Sanchez-Colberg, Christina Teague-Mann, and Cari Coble. Her outstanding contributions to dance education and the arts have been recognized through various awards, including the 2019 Utah Dance Education Organization Teacher of the Year for Higher Education, the 2016 Howard Gilman Fellowship supporting her MFA, the Sorenson Legacy Award for Excellence in Arts Education 2016 Outstanding Secondary Dance Educator, and the SPA Legend award from the Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts.
Proudly powered by Weebly