Kodee Van Nort

Kodee Van Nort began her dance experience on the plains of Western  Nebraska with Vaudeville veteran, Iris Besaw. Ms. Besaw’s intense training  formed Kodee’s interest in dance as a craft, art, discipline, and language.  Kodee has an extensive background of dance including a wealth of education  that includes a BA in Theater and Dance from the University of Wyoming and  MFA in dance performance, choreography, and pedagogy from Sam Houston  State University. During her performing career she was able to explore a  variety of roles from ballet to musicals and theater. Her favorites include the  original role of ‘White Buffalo Woman’ in the ballet Cattle Kate; classical  roles such as ‘Pimpinella’ in Pulcinella; World Premier contemporary role of  ‘Meander’ in The River and ‘A Night of Dreams’ for Area Choreographer’s  Festival; and character work in Le Bourgeois Gentihomme by Molière. In  addition to performing as the "Phoenix" in The Cherokee National Heritage Center’s “Trail of Tears" she also served assistant choreographer and while in  England, she joined Ad Hoc company where she was able to explore  performance and choreography through improv with the community. Kodee has shared her passion for dance with students at the University of  Wyoming, Western Nebraska Community College, Western Oregon  University, Sam Houston State University, Austin Dance Company, University  of Kentucky, Contemporary Dance Theater, Cincinnati Ballet, Miami Valley  Ballet Theatre, and St. Xavier High School. Kodee serves on the OhioDance  board, is an active member of the National Dance Education Organization,  and is a Language of Dance® Master Practitioner. Currently she is an adjunct  professor of dance at Springfield College and ballet faculty at Andover School of Ballet.