The UW–Madison School of Education offers academic excellence in areas spanning the arts, health, and education. We are a proud community of innovative leaders, creative thinkers, and fearless trailblazers. Our talented students are committed to making their college experience a meaningful journey that aligns with their interests and helps them achieve their future goals.
Following is a Q&A with Harley Blanchard, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Dance and Environmental Science and graduating in spring 2026.
Where are you from and how did you become interested in pursuing a degree in this field? I was born and raised in Downers Grove, a western suburb of Chicago. I wasn’t put in dance classes as a young child, but some of my fondest memories are dancing with my two sisters in our living room to Ke$ha or One Direction, dancing in the car with my mom to the iCarly soundtrack or Green Day, and following their silly dance moves and feeling the beat. I began studio dance classes when I was seven and never looked back. Classes, competitions, conventions, musicals, marching band, the JustDance video game, tap dancing in the grocery store, anywhere I could move, I would.
After I graduated from high school, I attended my local community college, the College of DuPage. Unfortunately, the year I spent there happened to be a year they weren’t able to offer any dance classes or performance opportunities. So, I spent that year living in my parents’ house, diving into my scientific studies, and working minimally at Versa5 Movement Studio, my “home studio.” This year at home solidified what I had always known: I needed to have dance in my life.
Dance is what makes me feel both free and purposeful. Choreographing for myself and others gives me the opportunity to share parts of myself in a way other mediums cannot and reach audiences I otherwise might never know. I’ve always struggled with my attention span, and in movement classes I feel an unmatched focus in my energy and body. Choosing to study dance at UW–Madison was definitely the correct choice for me. I often find myself in a technique class, observing the large and ornate studio around me while my peers and friends dance in tandem. It makes me feel immensely grateful for the life I’ve found in dance. I am incredibly lucky to have a family that supports my artistic goals, professors at UW that support my artistic visions, and a community here in Madison that makes artistic collaboration an enriching experience.
How did you decide that you wanted to become at UW–Madison Badger? Like so many graduates, I felt lost and had no idea what I wanted to do after high school. I was terrified to come to a different city and begin my college life away from home, but visiting Madison for the first time just felt right, and being here continues to feel energizing and inspiring. One of the many reasons I originally chose to become a Badger was that my two seemingly disconnected majors both had great programs here, and both programs have certainly delivered. UW–Madison provides in-depth learning experiences in and out of the classroom, and I feel connected to students that have the same passion and drive as me.
The city of Madison itself has proven to be an enriching place for my love of science and art. Commuting past Lake Mendota or hiking through the trails of the UW Arboretum, I can’t help but feel more curious about the plant and animal life surrounding me. Passing musicians on the street and strolling through free art galleries invigorates me to return to the dance studio. It was intimidating to move here and I know it will be even more intimidating to leave, but I also know that I would never change my choice to come to UW, and I feel extremely fortunate to call myself a Badger!
What class or professor has had the greatest impact on you, and why? Something unique about choosing a major in the arts is that everything becomes very personal. What you’re studying is the same as your greatest passion. This can turn intense when receiving feedback about work that was made from your heart, or technique that you’re executing with your body. However, it creates close bonds and in-depth learning. Having the opportunity to form strong relationships with professionals and educators in our field is so valuable and is something that many of us try not to take for granted.
Anna Peretz Rogovoy is the faculty member that comes to mind when I think of bonds that have helped me through my overwhelming weeks, doubt, and struggle to stay involved in my passion. From composition classes to concert rehearsals to chats in her office, Anna is a strong and kind educator. Not only does she encourage me to reach further by applying to festivals and fellowships, but she also ensures that I follow through and actually hit the submit button. As someone who is often stubborn about doing things on my own, I’m so grateful to Anna for showing me the excitement of collaboration and for introducing me to the amazing feeling of being at the table with people you admire.
What are your future goals or plans? When I talk to people about my two majors they often mention something about it being an interesting pairing or joke about “dancing in the trees.” But honestly, I like dancing in the trees! I love that my chosen path has the potential to connect people across disciplines and interests. It is so easy to lose our connection to the beauty of the earth around us and the things humans create. I believe the work connecting art and environmental science is more necessary than ever. Artforms like dance are points of entry into science and can bring people with unique perspectives into a field that needs enthusiasm and originality. I don’t plan on letting go of these ideals after graduation — I plan to pursue both of my passions after graduation and I’m confident that I’ll be doing a wide variety of work spanning the arts and sciences.
In the more immediate future, I hope to join a conservation corps somewhere in the United States. There is a large number of corps like these that work to restore and preserve national or state parks across the country. Their work includes invasive species removal, trail clearing, habitat restoration, educational programming, and much more. I want to be hands-on in ensuring that our Earth is taken care of, and hope to be experiencing as much of the wild world as I can. I know the adventures this work might take me on will be powerful fuel for my art making. While doing this field work I plan to continue creating dance films centering the environment and environmental justice. As intimidated as I am by the concept of graduating and moving on, I am excited to get out there, create change, and keep making art.
Have you participated in any internship/work experience, research, or study abroad program? What did you participate in and could you talk a bit more about those experiences? While studying at UW, I’ve been amazed by the incredible opportunities offered to me and the rest of my dance peers. The highlights have been numerous. I’ve been able to audition my own choreography into the Dance Department’s student concerts, and I am currently working on a piece to audition for the upcoming H’Doubler student concert. Having peers that are willing to put up with my hectic rehearsals and support my visions is so exciting. Watching a dance come to life that’s spent so much time in my head is surreal and can only happen because of my wonderful fellow dancers.
At UW I performed my first paid dance gig for our beloved professor Jin-wen Yu’s annual concert. Moments like finding out I made it into his cast really remind me of how far I’ve come. I’ve recently been working as a videographer at Barrio Dance as a part of their exchange program. While the Dance Department classes center around a concert contemporary style, this work at Barrio has given me the chance to train in additional styles like heels, hip-hop, and commercial contemporary, as well as experience with professional film and editing equipment. I’ve really tried to seize any opportunity I can get, and while my Google calendar sometimes looks like a jam-packed collage of stress, it ends up being worth it. I know that when I graduate, these opportunities won’t be as easy to find so I am enjoying them as much as I can during my last months here!
Anything else that’s important to you about yourself or your studies that you would like to share? What I love about dance is that anyone can enjoy it in some capacity. People often tell me that they’re “not a dancer,” but I know from experience this simply isn’t true. You don’t need to be professionally trained to enjoy letting loose — whether it be alone in your kitchen, bouncing around with strangers at a party, bopping your head to the beat in your earbuds during your commute, or joining in the circle at any celebration. However it feels right to move your body and express yourself can be beautiful and liberating, even if it might feel daunting or embarrassing at first to put yourself out there. Everyone can dance! Let out that boogie that’s inside you!