Mission Statement
Dance is a creative expression that satisfies the human drive of Movement toward communicating feelings and interpersonal interaction. In the empathic Therapeutic relationship there is an exploration of boundaries and support of the client’s own experience.
UNBIND the FLOW.
Testimonials
“As the Reflections Recreation Supervisor, I supervised Susan Hartley at 305 West End Assisted Living when she interned as a Pratt graduate student in Dance/Movement Therapy. I immediately knew that this was someone that I wanted to hire as soon as she graduated, and I did. While this was Ms. Hartley’s first employment as a dance/movement therapist, I certainly didn’t consider her a novice. Her vast experience using dance in education, performance, and guidance in addition to there training and internships required for her Masters and DMT credential had prepared her well for providing first-rate dance/movement and creative arts activities in the Reflections program for persons with dementia. Ms. Hartley is well grounded in theory and technique and able to adapt programs to meet the strength and needs of the residents. She is able to incorporate music, poetry, and stories in her activities with both large and small groups. An excellent clinician, she is able to work 1:1 with residents in various stages of dementia. She was a team player and a valuable member of the Reflections program.”
- Nancy Sondag, LCAT, RDT/BCT, CDP, CADDCT, CMDCP
“It's so easy to recommend Susan Hartley both as a human being and as a committed participant in whatever task she would apply her ample experience. I personally know her from the world of show business. Susan danced both with me and for me in the Broadway musical, My One and Only. We played the show in New York at the St. James Theater. After a long and successful run we toured the production across America and beyond, including Japan. She not only sang and danced in this show but she also understudied both Twiggy on Broadway and later Sandy Duncan on tour. Prior to that, she appeared in my production of the long running hit The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. We also danced together for a gala performance featuring Debbie Reynolds for the benefit of the American Place Theater.
Susan's work ethic and ability to work with people in a high pressure environment and maintain a good attitude is outstanding. Her ease and flexibility to change and revise choreography and staging would be an asset in her Dance/ Movement Therapy career, as well as her love for working with people. I could not give her a higher recommendation.”
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Tommy Tune, actor/director/choreographer
“I started dancing when I was four years old. My mom Susan Hartley, was a former dancer and actress on Broadway and took it upon herself to be my first dance teacher. The first dance class environment I found myself in was a class that she had created for me and my friends. She called it “Shake, Rhythm, and Roll”. We would basically play in the studio with props and toys. Sometimes the “mystery prop suitcase” contained silly string, sometimes it would be masks, and other times scarves or jump ropes, or instruments. It was an absolute blast. The added secret to her teaching method was the fact that she would always take us out for ice cream after her class. At that time in my life, dancing was just about fun, togetherness, and joy.”
- Harrison Coll, soloist NYC Ballet