Community House Dance Teacher Receives Choreography Award

Shannon Einhardt, a member of the teaching faculty at Dance Academy has received the “2011 Maggie Allesee New Choreography Award” from Michigan Dance Council. Shannon Einhardt received the award for her piece entitled “Psychopathology” set on the Allure Dance Company.

The award was presented to Einhardt at the annual statewide Dance Day hosted by Oakland University’s Dance Department on Oct. 1.

Einhardt is in her third year teaching at TCH Dance Academy.

Einhardt is also the co-director of Dance Expressions and the artistic director of Allure Dance Company. She has been teaching in Metro Detroit for over ten years. She teaches and choreographs jazz, tap, contemporary and hip hop.

Einhardt graduated from Western Michigan University with a BA in dance. She became co-founder of Allure Dance Company in 2010 and is also a dancer in the company. In 2008, she choreographed and performed in Chicago. Her performance credits include guest artist appearances with MoreDances Contemporary Dance Company. Einhardt has a high energy teaching style and a true passion for dance and the arts.

“Psychopathology is the study of mental illness, mental distress, and abnormal/maladaptive behavior,” said Einhardt. “My inspiration started with the music. I liked the intensity of the two songs. Once I heard the music, I knew that I wanted the dance to be even more intense. As I was choreographing, I developed this crazy motif that I felt fit the rhythms and sense of the music.”  

Allure Dancers who performed “Psychopathology” include:

• Dianne Clouse – Macomb, MI
• Shannon Einhardt – Eastpointe, MI – BA in dance from Western Michigan University
• Terra Koehler – Clarkston, MI – BA in dance from Oakland University
• Katy Koivunen – Auburn Hills, MI – BFA in Dance from Oakland University
• Jacqueline Phaneuf – Rochester Hills, MI – BA in dance from Oakland University
• Katy Ploch – Auburn Hills, MI – BA in dance from Oakland University
• Amanda Rea – Livonia, MI