Patti Herm School of Dance

Patti Herm, Director, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Education and a Master of Arts in Dance from Western Michigan University.  She began her study of dance in Grand Rapids at the age of 3 and took classes from Margy Jones and later from Sally Seven, founder and former director of the Grand Rapids Ballet.  While a dance student at WMU, Patti danced in all three ensembles:  University Ballet Theatre, Repertory Dance Company, and University Dancers.  After graduation she taught vocal music in the Paw Paw and Portage Public Schools for five years as well as teaching dance for Portage Community Education, YWCA, and the Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation. 

Patti has continued her study of ballet and other dance styles throughout the years.  She has studied extensively the Vaganova (Russian) method of ballet teaching through attendance at the Russian Seminars taught by the late Jurgen Schneider, former ballet master of the American Ballet Theatre of New York City.  She has also attended seminars taught by world renowned David Howard and Finis Jhung. 

Patti's expertise in working with young children began at the Creative Learning Fair in Kalamazoo, a summer arts program.  She has choreographed 24 musical productions for the Otsego high School vocal music program between 1997-2006.  She has also choreographed for the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre summer productions as well as the Kindleberger Festival in Parchment.  She is co-director with Julie Spiech of the competition dance team.

In December of 2000, Patti co-choreographed with teachers Julie Spiech and Catherine Smith, this area's first full length production of the Nutcracker Ballet.  This famous ballet was again presented in December of 2002, 2004 and 2006.  Patti resides in Otsego with her husband, Jim, and three children, Kelli, Kyle, and Kathleen.  Her hobbies include singing, reading, and sports.