Suzanne founded the Academic Dance program at GU in 2000. In the years since she has created the Dance Major, Minor and Interdisciplinary Arts Minor, developed the Dance Season and Presenting Series, hosted the American College Dance Association Conference for the Northwest Region, and put Gonzaga Dance on the map. Audiences may have seen her signature passion and craft as director and choreographer to over 25 stage productions including the opening gala production for the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center of A New Season, audience-record setting staging of Jesus Christ Superstar, A Chorus Line, Pippin, Seussical,Chicago, Gonzaga original Weaving Our Sisters Voices and the annual Spring Dance Concert.
As a dance, theatre, and visual artist, professor, and scholar Suzanne believes the ideas expressed by the body are part of a universal language that unlocks creativity and innovation. She develops opportunities for students to grow and learn about themselves and the world around them through community, collaboration, and creativity. Her philosophy of seeing the potential and humanity in each student (be they undergraduate or masters candidates) enforces a classroom and production culture that lifts each student to their highest good. Suzanne's areas of research and creative inquiry are in the intersection of the art forms of theatre, dance, and visual arts, which can be seen in what she produces including her textbook with Dr. Kathleen Jeffs on Interdisciplinary Arts published by Human Kinetics.
