Hope College Department of Dance

🤍 The Sanctuary Project continues

The third installment of Associate Professor, Lindsey Hanson’s “The Sanctuary Project” GETHSEMANE, will be performed in New York City this September! 🗽

Featuring a standout cast of 22 dancers, GETHSEMANE is site-specific work created for Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. The work continues the project’s exploration of dance, architecture, theology, and sacred space.

📍 Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City
🗓️ Sept 5, 2026 at 2pm and 7pm

The 7pm performance will be followed by a reception with the cast and creative team.

🔗Read more about GETHSEMANE in BroadwayWorld, link in the comments

Lindsey Hanson
Redeemer Presbyterian Church of NYC

✨ Did You Know?
Professor Mark Lopez brings rhythm, precision and live music energy into Hope Dance!
🥁 He is an accompanist and percussion instructor who supports dancers in class, rehearsal and performance.
💃 Mark has worked with major companies including the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and the Joffrey Ballet School Contemporary Program.
🎼 His performances and compositions span symphonies, theater, marching ensembles and national touring groups.
🎶 As an arranger and educator, his work has been performed across universities, orchestras and drum corps programs nationwide.
🌍 He is an active performer and educator throughout West Michigan and serves as Frontline Coordinator for the Legends Drum and Bugle Corps.
🏆 Mark is a recipient of the Kalamazoo Arts Council Emerging Artist Grant and has studied with internationally recognized percussion artists.
From studio classes to concert stages, Professor Lopez shapes the sound that moves dancers. 💙

✨ Did You Know?
Professor Eric Van Tassell shapes the look and sound of Hope Dance from behind the scenes!
💡 He is an Associate Professor of Lighting and Sound Design and Department Chair of Theatre, joining Hope College in 2019.
🎭 Eric teaches lighting, sound, stage production and theatre crafts while mentoring students in technical theatre and design.
🎬 With 15+ years of professional experience, his work has appeared on stages from Chicago storefront theatres to the Kennedy Center.
🎨 He has designed lighting for award-winning productions and national festivals, including the ACDA Kennedy Center National College Dance Festival.
🛠️ Eric also serves as a designer and technician for productions across the Department of Dance and Theatre each year.
📚 Outside the studio, he’s a comic book collector, podcast enthusiast, Detroit Red Wings fan—and proud Lego storyteller.
From spotlight to soundboard, Professor Van Tassell helps bring every Hope Dance production to life. 💙
You may follow along with the antics of his Lego alter ego on Instagram at .

A time capsule in print 📖✨ Dating back to 1959, we found a collection of in our office! Every cover tells a story, every page captures a moment in history preserving culture, fashion, news, and nostalgia.

Which issue are you opening first? 👀

✨ Did You Know?
Professor Hannah Sullivan brings artistry, innovation and compassion to Hope Dance!
🎭 She is a choreographer, performer and educator who teaches at Hope College and performs with (DITA).
🏆 Her choreography earned a BroadwayWorld nomination for Best Choreography for “Waitress” (2025).
🎬 Her dance films “Breasts Not Included” and “Breasts Not Required” have received 1️⃣2️⃣ awards at film festivals across the U.S., South America and Europe.
🤝 In addition to her work in dance, Hannah is a mental health and relationship therapist who mentors graduate clinicians as they develop their counseling skills.
✨ Through her choreography, teaching and advocacy, she is passionate about using movement to foster creativity, connection and healing.
💙 From the studio to the counseling room, Professor Sullivan empowers others through movement, creativity and connection.

✨ Did You Know?
Associate Professor Kara Brems is more than a dance educator!
🩰 She teaches ballet, modern dance, composition, dance history and anatomical kinesiology.
🌎 She has performed professionally in the U.S. and China.
🎥 Her choreography has been featured on concert stages and international film festivals.
🥖 Outside the studio, she’s a classically trained pianist, certified Pilates and Yoga instructor, avid hiker and sourdough baker.
From the studio to the stage and beyond, Professor Brems inspires creativity, collaboration and community every day. 💙⚓️

Summer mode: FULLY ACTIVATED 🔥☀️
🚀Our faculty are unstoppable!

👀 Don’t blink!

🇵🇭Philippines: Global impact!
💻Hope HQ: Fall & Edinburgh Fringe Festival planning
🗽NY: Crushing it in the city!
🌴CA: Beach vibes & ballet with American Ballet Theatre
🧑‍🩰MI: Jazz class with Grand Rapids Ballet Summer Intensive
🦀MD: Making waves at the Dance and the Child-daCi USA National Gathering

🌟Always growing and helping to promote the transformative power of dance. We are ready to keep building this energy straight to the studios with you this fall!

TRIVIA TIME!
1. Like this reel ❤️
2. Share to your story ✈️
3. Drop the answer in the comments: Which style of dance is our faculty member teaching at the Grand Rapids Ballet Summer Intensive?

Answer revealed FRIDAY!

A few more memories from our May trip to the Philippines. 🇵🇭✨
This experience gave our students the opportunity to teach, learn, perform, and connect through dance across cultures. We’re so grateful for every moment, every lesson, and every friendship formed along the way.
Here’s to the memories that continue long after the journey ends. ❤️