Name
Sarah L. Hannich
Age
38
Company/Organization
Dance Arts
What Does Your Company/Organization Do?
teach dance and tumbling to ages 0-adult, produce a full length show (Studio Dance Theatre) and donates money to local charities, performance team (Dance Arts Performing Core) that puts on a full length show and travels across the Midwest, and Imagine Worship which presents worship at local churches and nursing homes
Education
Western Michigan University, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance
Accomplishments
Ms. Sarah is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in Communications. Sarah is trained in all forms of dance. She has performed Balanchine’s Serenade, and was a soloist in Antony Tudor’s Dark Elegies, to name a few. She has performed for many companies throughout the Midwest including Frameworks Dance Company and CORE Project as well as touring in Arkansas with USA Ballet. Sarah has been teaching for 27 years & is the dance director at Dance Arts. She also manages the performing groups, DAPC & Imagine Worship. Sarah’s international credits include performing and teaching in Portugal, Italy & South Korea. Sarah has been a Studio Dance Theatre member since 1993 dancing roles such as Cinderella, Clara, Sugar Plum, Fairy of the Golden Vine, The Evil Stepmother and more. She has judged dance competitions for over 20 years. She has her own professional dance company, Tapestry Dance Company, based in Chicago that has performed in many dance festivals including Project Dance Orlando. She is the blessed mom to 2 dancing boys and has been married 11 years to husband, Michael. My goal is always to have everyone know that dance is for everyone and to find the joy in the movement and the music.
What else do you hope to accomplish by the age of 40?
I would like to teach more internationally and continue to see my students reach their dreams. I would love to see the studio continue to be a place for families to find the joy of dance.
Current City
St. Joseph
Place You Were Born
St. Joseph
What was your first job?
Dance Teacher
What’s the best advice you ever got?
Keep God 1st, family 2nd and everything else after that
Who inspires you most?
all the many professional dancers and teachers I’ve ever had, especially my mom Rhonda Rabbers
That one thing about you we’d be most surprised to learn.
My 1st performance was when I was 10 months old- I was baby Snow White.
What do you love to do in your downtime?
I love to go to the beach with my boys, I love to choreograph and create, I love to go on bike rides and be with family
What book are you reading now?
“Raising Grateful Kids” by Kristen Welch
Volunteer activity you love the most.
Studio Dance Theatre- giving back to the community through the arts is such a powerful thing and blesses my heart! Also doing VBS and teaching Sunday School at my church, The Chapel
What motivates you to give back to your community?
“It takes a village” is something I’ve heard since I was a young adult and it is so true. I love when people can gather energy, resources, finances, talents or whatever you have to help others.
What Superpower would you most love to have?
I would love to either have a duplicate/twin that can get the many things done I have to do- Or I would love to be able to stop time and enjoy the moment!
What would you like to leave behind as your legacy once you are gone?
I would like others to know Jesus whether that be thru music or dance or our family dance studio.
What does the honor of being named to the 40 Under 40 most mean to you?
Being named to the 40 Under 40 list is an incredible honor that signifies recognition not just of personal achievement, but also of meaningful impact within the dance/arts here in Southwest Michigan and in the community. It’s a reminder that the work I do, is noticed and important for raising up the next generation and a challenge to keep pushing forward with purpose and integrity. More than anything, it’s a celebration of the people, mentors, and teams who’ve helped shape my journey.
