![Portrait image of Noelle Partusch](/sites/default/files/styles/person_detail_large/public/2024-01/PartuschCNoelleWeb.jpeg?itok=lPRFtyRf)
Chair, Department of Dance, Professor
Ms. Partusch choreographs for concert dance and opera, has served as adjunct faculty for the University of Alaska Anchorage Department of Theatre and Dance and as Alaska Regional Director of the Sacred Dance Guild. She is a proud member of the International Council of Kinetography Laban (ICKL). Ms. Partusch is currently the acting advisor for the Ƶapp University Liturgical Dance Ensemble.
Ms. Partusch is a Chairperson and Professor of Dance at Ƶapp University and specializes in Labanotation and Liturgical dance. She earned her B.F.A. from the State University of New York College at Purchase in 1988, a Labanotation Teacher’s Certificate from the Dance Notation Bureau in New York City in 1989, and her M.F.A. from The Ohio State University in 1992. Ms. Partusch teaches ballet, pointe, dance conditioning, dance appreciation, kinesiology, Labanotation and has taught a special interdisciplinary course called “The Sacred and the Beautiful.” In 2015 she developed a new academic course called “Liturgical Dance: Concepts and Perceptions” that is offered as a selection of courses within the Catholic Studies Minor at Ƶapp University. She choreographs for concert dance, opera, and dance in worship. Noelle served as the associate artistic director of Alaska Dance Theatre for 11 years and danced professionally with Atlanta Ballet II, Buffalo Ballet Theatre, Buffalo Inner-City Ballet, Empire State Ballet, Alaska Dance Theatre, and the Anchorage Opera. In addition she was adjunct faculty for the University of Alaska Anchorage Department of Theatre and Dance and Alaska Regional Director of the Sacred Dance Guild. She is currently the Co-Vice President and Coordinator of Sacred Dance in Higher Education for the Sacred Dance Guild. She is also a member of the International Council of Kinetography Laban (ICKL), and CORPs de Ballet, International. Ms. Partusch was invited to give presentations on Liturgical dance at the conference “Performing Arts Training Today” in Bovec, Slovenia and at the National Church Musician’s Conference at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL. In addition she was invited to be one of three keynote speakers at the 2016 Northwest PA Synod Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For over 20 years Ms. Partusch has danced in many churches and worship settings and acts as Artistic Director to the Ƶapp University Liturgical Dance Ensemble where she mentors the next generation of leaders in Liturgical dance. With this ensemble, she has traveled to New York City, NY; Atlanta, GA; Sydney, Australia; and Jerusalem, Israel to attend “Project Dance” and present her choreography. Most recently Ms. Partusch traveled with 14 members of the Liturgical Dance Ensemble to Norwich, UK where they led a sacred dance workshop and performed an entire concert of Liturgical Dance at Westacre Theatre.
Noelle Partusch is married to Tony Partusch, a licensed journeyman plumber who is currently the purchasing agent for V.P. Plumbing Supply in Erie, PA. Tony is an avid fisherman and a fantastic cook! Tony and Noelle are the very proud parents of twins Krista & Anton and their younger sister, Kara. Noelle attributes her success to a lot of hard work, a great amount of faith enabling her to take many leaps, and the ongoing and amazing support of her family.