PATRICIA VILLANUEVA

She/Her
Dance Teacher

I have been teaching ballet since I was 18 years old and in college. I loved my ballet teacher growing up and wanted to be just like her! I went to Hope College and majored in Dance.  While there. I began performing in the company (Aerial Dance Theater) that was affiliated with the department. After my husband and I moved to Lansing. I began performing with a ballet company (Greater Lansing Ballet) and also a modern company (Happendance). I also began teaching at those studios. After the birth of my third daughter, I moved on from performing and began teaching for Children’s Ballet Theater, Happendance, and a dance studio close by my home as well as doing Artistic Direction for various companies and dance administration. Currently I am teaching at Happendance, Lake Michigan Dance Academy (Allendale), spend some of the summer teaching at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp as well as acting as Co-Director of the Dance Department there. My husband and I have 3 daughters, 2 son-in-laws, 1 son-in-law to be, 1 granddaughter, 1 grand-something to be, and 3 cats.

What inspires you?
I feel inspired by so many things but mostly when I am able to observe other creative artists in ALL art forms, dance, music, theater, visual art and poetry and writing and and and!

Who is your favorite fictional character?
Giselle I think, because she is so giving and forgiving even though she was a victim of a terrible betrayal.

What was your favorite after school snack growing up?
Anything sweet!!