St. Olaf College Dance Department

05/21/2026

Dance Major Lee Christianson featured in the latest issue of the St. Olaf Magazine!

05/08/2026

04/24/2026

Please join us for BORDERS: SPRING DANCE CONCERT, the culmination of a year-long exploration by the Dance Department into the complex nature of borderlands. Borders marks a unique merging of St. Olaf’s two distinct dance ensembles: Companydance, with its focus on a diverse range of contemporary explorations, and the Veselica International Dance Ensemble, which brings the rich traditions and global perspectives of folk and character dance. This collaboration showcases the broad range and diversity of the St. Olaf College Dance Department, highlighting the beautiful friction and unexpected harmony that arise when different styles collide.

Featuring physically compelling, visually captivating, aurally stirring, and thought-provoking choreography by faculty members Dr. Andrea Conger, Brian J. Evans, and Heather Klopchin, guest artists Kaleena Miller and Jake Nehrbass and by current St. Olaf students Ivy Andreson, Maggie Doran, Delaney Dresser, Rel Edwards, Maya Fonseca-Jersild, Hailey Frank, Z Johnson, Mickenson Sanon, and Mary Staplin.

April 30, May 1, and May 2 at 7:30 pm in Kelsey Theater, Theater Building

Tickets for the general public cost $10.00. St. Olaf College faculty, staff, and retirees receive two free tickets per production. St. Olaf students receive one free ticket per production with a valid student ID number. Tickets go on sale April 17. Please use the links below for ticket purchases. For ADA accommodations, please call 507-786-3096.
Tickets for Thursday Performance: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/borders-spring-dance-concert-tickets-1987330148973?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Tickets for Friday Performance: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/borders-spring-dance-concert-tickets-1987330839037?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Tickets for Saturday Performance: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/borders-spring-dance-concert-tickets-1987331221180?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Livestream link for the Thursday, April 30 performance:
https://www.stolaf.edu/multimedia/play/?e=5260

03/11/2026

26 students from the St. Olaf College Dance Department attended the ACDA North-Central Regional Conference at the University of MN - Twin Cities, March 7-11. We are honored to have both works adjudicated from St. Olaf (Nina Hodder's MOSAIC and Emma Smith's Continuum)chosen for the Paper Gala Concert. 10 works were selected as the 3 adjudicator (Angie Pittman, Dianne McIntyre, and Christopher Morgan) picks. We had a great time and thank our incredible hosts Carlo Antonio Villanueva and his University of MN - Twin Cities Team! Mary Staplin's to belong was also performed beautifully at the Informal Concert this morning.

03/05/2026

Join us for Ecotones, an evening of movement exploring the "borderlands" between genres. Borrowing from the ecological term for zones of integration, this concert brings together St. Olaf’s two distinct ensembles—Companydance and Veselica International Dance Ensemble—to celebrate the beauty of overlap and the emergence of new forms.

From contemporary dance exploration to global folk traditions, guest works, live music and more, witness the vibrant friction and harmony of the St. Olaf College Dance Department. We are excited to present this diverse showcase.

Thursday & Friday, March 5 & 6 at 7:30pm and Saturday, March 7 at 2:00pm.
Wagnar Bundgaard/Studio 1 Center for Art and Dance on the campus of St. Olaf College
Free-No Ticket Required. Family Friendly.
Livestream on Saturday, March 7th at 2pm here: https://www.stolaf.edu/multimedia/play/?e=5259

02/26/2026

Two St. Olaf Dance Alumni, Dani Oblitas and Alisha Jihn, are selected artists as part of the RAD Dance Fest. See this site for more details: https://wellspringdance.org/2026artists

02/26/2026

St. Olaf Dance Faculty Heather Klopchin and Karla Grotting along with St. Olaf Dance Alum Kate Sebes are performing in Concerto Dance's upcoming show "Such Sweet Thunder" at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis March 20 and 21 at 7:30pm and March 22 at 12:30pm. Would love you to come!
Tickets are available here: https://www.southerntheater.org/shows/such-sweet-thunder
Concerto Dance
Such Sweet Thunder
Performance Dates
Friday, March 20th at 7:30pm (Doors: 6:30pm, House Open: 7:00pm)
Saturday, March 21st at 7:30pm (Doors: 6:30pm, House Open: 7:00pm)
Sunday, March 22nd at 12:30pm (Doors: 11:30am, House Open: 12:00pm)
Performance Length
Approximately 90 minutes with a 15 minute intermission
Concerto Dance returns to the Southern Theater with a vibrant evening of modern and jazz dance. The program features repertory work by Steve Rooks, former principal dancer with the Martha Graham Company, honoring the 100th anniversary of Martha Graham, alongside the rhythmic and dynamic work of visiting guest artist Joe Chvala. Artistic Director Jolene Konkel premieres two new jazz dance works, including Jamboree—a high-energy, joy-filled celebration bursting with music and movement that is sure to uplift audiences. The evening concludes with Konkel's Sweet Thunder Suite, a bold new work inspired by Shakespeare’s women and the stories they might have told if given a voice.
Featuring: Hunter Batterson, Morgen Chang, Malia Craft, Allison Durham, Maddy Harper, Sara Karimi, Helena Magalhães, MiKayla Scherping, Kate Sebes, Nate Stevens, Brandyn Tapio, and guest artists Karla Grotting, Heather Klopchin, and Annie Potts.
Tickets:
Adults $30 (+fees)
Students and Seniors $25 (+fees)
Sunday Matinee - All Tickets $20 (+fees)
All sales final. Tickets are non-refundable
More info at www.concertodance.com/performances

Concerto Dance returns to the Southern Theater for our annual evening of vibrant modern and jazz dance. Featuring repertory work by Steve Rooks, former principal dancer with the Martha Graham Company founded in 1926 to honor the 100th anniversary, a dynamic and rhythmic work by guest artist Joe Chva...

02/20/2026

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11/27/2025

The St. Olaf Dance Department is incredibly sad and sends our condolences to the family and friends of Toni Pierce-Sands, an inspiring and legendary dancer and educator.

11/22/2025

The 14 wonderful Senior Dance Majors celebrated their Senior Dance Concert last night!