Dance! Dance! Dance!

Students who love to dance, want to learn how to dance, or want to teach dance will be happy to know that Missouri Western now offers a dance minor.

Suzanne Ryan Strati, who has been dancing since she was three years old and continues to teach at the Kansas City Ballet School, was hired as the instructor. She said she was excited to be back in a university classroom where she can integrate academics with dance training.  Classes for the first semester this spring included Jazz, Tap, and Beginning Dance.

Dr. Susan Carter, associate professor of music who helped set up the courses for the minor, said people on campus and in the community have been talking about a need for a dance minor for several years, especially with the resurgence and popularity of the musical theatre program. She said students who tried out for this past season’s musicals, “Annie” and “Sweeney Todd,” realized that it’s not enough to be able to sing; they need to be able to dance, too.

“That sent quite a few students to the dance classes,” Susan said.

Suzanne will also choreograph future musicals.

She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Mexico and a Master of Fine Arts in Dance Choreography from the University of Iowa. Prior to joining Missouri Western, she had taught modern dance for the Lone Star Ballet’s summer intensive program, and was an instructor at the Culture House Performing Arts Academy.