Sarah Olson

Bio

Sarah Olson is an Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where she teaches ballet, jazz, and dance history.  She holds an MFA in Dance and a Graduate Certificate in Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Iowa and a BFA in Dance Performance, magna cum laude, from Butler University.  Prior to coming to UWSP, Sarah enjoyed a thirteen-year performance career, working with ballet and contemporary companies including among others the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Repertory Ballet, Inaside Chicago Dance, and Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre.  Her choreography has been commissioned by Chicago-based companies such as Nomi Dance Company, Project606 Dance, and RASA Dance Chicago as well as presented at festivals including Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival, Dance Chicago, and the Choreographer’s Showcase at the College of DuPage.  As an educator, Sarah has taught for the University of Iowa, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Joffrey Academy of Dance, West Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts, and Lou Conte Dance Studio.

Professional Experience

• Ballet Faculty, West Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts, Marshall University, Huntington, WV (2019-Present)
• Ballet Faculty, Joffrey Academy of Dance, Chicago, IL (2016-2017)
• Teaching Artist, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Chicago, IL (2014-2019)
• Ballet Mistress, Chicago Repertory Ballet, Chicago, IL (2015-2017)
• Dancer, Chicago Repertory Ballet, Chicago, IL (2013-2017)
• Principal Dancer, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago, IL (2013-2014)
• Dancer, Nomi Dance Company, Chicago, IL (2008-2011)
• Dancer, Inaside Chicago Dance, Chicago, IL (2007-2008)
• Dancer, Rasa Dance Chicago, Chicago, IL (2005-2007)
• Dancer, Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre, Cleveland, OH (2004-2005) Tin Cry, 2nd Place Prize Winner, Choreographer’s Showcase and Competition, College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL, 2017 Professional Memberships:
• CORPS de Ballet International (2019-Present)
• Dance Studies Association (2017-Present)
• American Guild of Musical Artists (2012-Present)

Research Interests

• Advice Interactions
• Peer Mentorship