Susan Hartley's career has focused entirely on dance and the performing arts.

In Santa Fe, New Mexico her early modern dance training and performance experience was under the mentorship of Eve Gentry who retired to Santa Fe after a long career with the Hanya Holm dance company. After her early high school experience with Eve, Susan was accepted into the Dance Department of Adelphi University under the tutelage of department head Norman Walker. The focus of the dance department at that time was in Modern Dance Techniques, Ballet and Choreography. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Adelphi University, Ms. Hartley began a twenty five year career as a musical theatre performer. Her credits included two Broadway musicals, ANNIE and MY ONE AND ONLY, as well as national and international tours including THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS. Over the years Susan had the opportunity to share the stage opposite Tommy Tune, Twiggy, and Sandy Duncan in MY ONE AND ONLY. She co-starred with Leslie Uggams in ANYTHING GOES and Phyllis McGuire in APPLAUSE, as well as appearing with Barbara Eden in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS. After a hiatus to raise her two sons, Susan co-starred with Georgia Engel in a production of HIGH SPIRITS.

Susan served eleven years on the board of directors of New York City's Abingdon Theatre Company, the last 3 years of which were as chairman of the board.
In NYC she also co-artistic directed and co-founded
HELL'S KITCHEN MUSICALS, a musical theater development company with a mission to develop original works. A rock version of Shakespeare's HAMLET was one of the many development projects during her tenure.

She developed and taught a creative dance and movement class for 10 years (Shake, Rhythm and Roll) crafted for boys ages 4-8 years old.

Susan was also a member of the Advisory Council for the School of American Ballet and for 14 years was a member of the board of directors of the LCU Foundation. The foundation's mission: to provide housing stipends to women who are furthering their education in New York City.

Susan taught and helped create creative dance and ballet classes geared for children ages 18 months to 7 years old in New York City at various locations for New York Kids Club.

In August 2017, Susan completed the NDI (National Dance Institute) teacher training.

Ms. Hartley is the proud mother of two sons, one of whom is a doctor in residency at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Her younger son is a dancer and soloist with the New York City Ballet.

In May 2020, Susan received a Master of Science in Dance/Movement Therapy with Distinction from Pratt Institute. Susan is currently practicing in New York City and the Hudson Valley.

MS with Distinction, Dance/ Movement Therapy
R-DMT
LCAT NYS License, Creative Arts Therapist

She/Her/Hers