ABOUT
Ashley received her B.A. in Dance and Psychology from Hope College, following her 14 years of training in Hadley, MI. While in college, she studied under Matt Farmer, Tracy Dunbar, Julie Powell, Linda Graham, Crystal Frazier, and Sharon Wong. Ashley has been a member in H2 Dance Company and Striketime Dance Theatre and has performed as a guest with the Chicago Tap Theatre in their show Tidings of Tap. Throughout her time at Hope, Ashley has also performed works by Mark Yonally, Richard Rivera, Hanna Brickston, and Cory Goei.
Ashley's dance background ranges from rhythm tap, to Horton-inspired modern technique, and pre-professional ballet training. However, it was her love for teaching ballet through the integration of dance technique, history, anatomy, and kinesiology, as well as holistic psychological development and flourishing that has revealed her interest in pursuing a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology to conduct further research and to become a Clinician and Psychology Professor.
ASHLEY HAYDEN
THE INTERSECTIONS
DANCE + HISTORY
How has dance evolved? What has led to its development? How does culture shape dance, and what can we learn from it?
As a dancer and educator, Ashley cares about understanding these questions as they provide a deeper understanding of what dance means. Additionally, Ashley is interested in 1). how can dance address social justice issues and 2). what impact does dance have upon marginalized groups
DANCE + PSYCHOLOGY
Ashley emphasizes the ways dance can integrate and promote psychological well-being. She strives to facilitate spaces that produce community and trust. Ashley is most passionate about dance as the means to foster holistic growth and development.
DANCE + ANATOMY
Ashley strives to work and teach from a perspective that integrates and strengthens one's physiological and anatomical understandings. Recognizing the capacity of our bodies as well as our abilities and limitations, enables effective and efficient movement. Ashley utilizes these individual differences to cultivate greater technique and artistry.
