Nominated Business: Citadel Dance & Music Center
Who are the owner(s) and/or principal leadership in this company? Susan Dietrich-Reed, Executive Director & Director of Music Lari Lawrence-Gist, Director of Dance
Where is it located? Benton Harbor
Nominated by: Kimberly Barber
How many people work at the company you are nominating? 25
Tell us the story behind the nominated company. What does it do, and what sets them apart from other companies in the region?
The Citadel Dance & Music Center was founded in 2008 and has become a cornerstone of the Benton Harbor Arts District with two, historic, renovated buildings within a block of each other. The Citadel’s mission is to inspire a sense of excitement and curiosity and to instill the disciplines of Dance & Music as Art forms and a way of life. Our vision is to develop the skills and character of individuals of every age & ethnicity through dance & music education and performance. The Citadel is committed to inclusivity by providing financial assistance and accessibility to the Arts.
Private music instruction for ages 5-adults is offered year-round on all string, woodwind, brass instruments, acoustic/electric/bass guitar, ukulele, piano, drums and voice. Kindermusik, Music Therapy and Chamber Music coaching are also offered. We are the only licensed Kindermusik site in our region offering classes for newborns – age 7. Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Contemporary, Improvisation, Floor Barre, Adult Samplers, Acro and Musical Theatre are offered through the Dance Department. Dance classes are taught in terms with as many 6 levels in some dance disciplines. Our Young Dancers Program (18 mo.-age 6) is designed to create a strong relationship between dance and music from the start. Our 3 Citadel Dance Companies are comprised of auditioned, intensive students who train in all dance styles and represent the Citadel Dance Dept throughout the year in selected performances. Musical Theater, introduced in 2024 offers classes and “A Musical” performance opportunities for 3 age groups.
In your own words, why do you think this company deserves to be declared to be one of the 20 Best Places to Work in Michigan’s Great Southwest?
The Citadel is a nurturing environment where staff and students thrive. Faculty members are well-trained and educated and are enthusiastic about their work. It is a wonderful place for students to learn and for faculty to work.
What makes workers proud to say they work there, and keeps them a part of the team?
Faculty members are excited to work for an organization that prioritizes artistic expression, education, and community relations.
Let’s pretend you’re writing a review for Google or Indeed. Give us your best recommendation for the nominated company that would make the rest of us wish we worked there, too.
Working for the Citadel is not just a job; it’s a calling. As a faculty member, you are able to prioritize your art that you have dedicated so much of your life to, while being able to share the power of the arts with the next generation and the surrounding community.
What three key words best describe why this company is a Best Places to Work caliber company?
Inspiring
Purposeful
Impactful
As a Best Places to Work company “Super Hero,” what are the two most magical “Super Powers” this company seems to have on a day-to-day basis? (i.e., Ability to read minds, fly, invisibility, etc) And why?
Read Minds- The faculty members have great relationships with their students and are able to tend to their needs as they vary on a day to day basis.
Never Ending Energy- The faculty members approach each class with an energetic mindset, looking to bring the best version of themselves to their students to ensure an exciting and effective learning environment.
Tell us about the leadership of the nominated company and what they do in order to:
A] Keep spirits and motivation high? Performance Opportunities: This gives everyone a goal to work toward and allows a chance for progress to be showcased.
B] Keep innovation and fresh ideas advancing? Field Research: Susan and Lari are both extremely well versed in the areas of expertise and are always looking for the next best thing for the Citadel based on the current happenings in that field
C] Keep communications open? Community Feedback: Families and faculty are often asked for feedback and ideas are considered thoughtfully.
Explain a specific “wow!” moment in this company’s history that is virtually “Hall of Fame” or “Best Practices” worthy, as an example to other companies in the region.
The history and buildings of both the dance & music programs and the building is a WOW! The Citadel had its beginnings as a dance center in the summer of 1999 holding workshops at The Salvation Army Corps Community Center on Michigan St while the Hinkley Building, the original The Salvation Army, called the Citadel built in 1928, was being renovated by Eileen Cropley & Scott Elliott. They worked closely with Susan Dietrich-Reed, who was the Director of Arts & Education. In Sept of 2000, dance classes moved to the Hinkley building. In 2008, Susan proposed merging the well established music program at the Salvation Army looking for a new home with Citadel’s dance center thus becoming The Citadel Dance & Music Center. A chance meeting between Ken Ankli & Susan also in 2008 was the catalyst to rehabilitate the Brammall Supply Company building built in 1922 and was originally the Hill Ice Cream Company. The Music Program moved into its new home in 2009. The dance and music centers are housed in two historic, renovated buildings within a block of each other in the thriving Benton Harbor Arts District. Comprehensive dance & music instruction is offered year-round to all ages and serves over 300 students.
Best Places to Work have a reputation for not only working hard, but also for playing hard.
A] How does the nominated company honor or reward success? Through performance opportunities!
B] How does the nominated company socialize as a team? It is a family like atmosphere, where everyone’s ideas and creativity matters
C] How does the nominated company get involved in community events? Aside from music recitals, dance performances, and musicals, the Citadel performs at many community events such as the Berrien County Youth Fair, BHAD Art Hops, Kindermusik Petting Zoos and more! They make the arts accessible to all!
D] How does the nominated company celebrate life? By fostering a vibrant, inclusive arts community that brings joy, connection, and personal growth to individuals of all ages.
What one thing is special about your nominated company that most people in the community have no idea actually happens there, but should be shouted from the rooftops because it’s that cool?
Although it is known in the community, I would still have to say “A Steamed Nutcracker” because it really is just that cool. “A Steamed Nutcracker” is an original ballet created, directed, and choreographed by Lari Lawrence- Gist with a steampunk twist on the classic Nutcracker story, set to Tchaikovsky’s score. It is performed every other year with a LIVE professional orchestra under the direction of Steven Reed. The orchestra is composed of Citadel music faculty, alumni and other community & regional musicians. There’s truly nothing quite as special as the partnership of music and dance, and that magic is highlighted and celebrated beautifully in this show.
Give us three employee perks or benefits that you think make the company you have nominated worthy of a Best Places to Work trophy?
Benefit 1: Collaborative Energy
Benefit 2: Family Like Atmosphere
Benefit 3: Creative Outlet
Anything else you’d like to mention about this company, its’ leadership, etc?
The Citadel is such a special place for students and faculty. I am thankful to be a part of an organization like this that truly prioritizes bringing the arts to everyone in the community.
