Biography
As Artistic Director of Shay Ishii Dance Company and Dancestry, Shay Hartung seeks to immerse her audience in a kinesthetic and aesthetic experience of sensation, light and sound. Her extensive background in the work of Erick Hawkins has instilled a deep appreciation for artistic heritage and inspired a mission to keep historic dance alive, accessible and relevant. She hopes to carryover this vision and commitment in co-directing Opening Door Dance Theatre and continue its vibrant tradition. Shay holds an MFA from Sam Houston State University and has taught dance at Texas State University since 2005. She completed her Pilates certification with PhysicalMind Institute. She has presented choreography and lectures across the United States, France, Scotland and Germany and collaborated with innovative artists of all disciplines, including sculpture, painting, opera, choral and orchestral music. Her classic approach to creating and teaching movement is committed to a clear aesthetic that embodies simplicity, truth and beauty in movement. As a teacher, she seeks to guide her students to a more profound connection to their own bodies and the space and community that surround them.
Research Interests
Preservation and presentation of historic dance works
Teaching Interests
Somatics, body integration and awareness