Libby Anne Bullinger

Originally from Boston, MA, Libby Bullinger began her dance training at José Mateo Ballet Theatre in Cambridge, MA. Throughout her 15 years at the studio, she trained in classical ballet, performed in annual productions of The Nutcracker, and was a part of the pre-professional performance outreach group, Youthworks. Libby also received training at summer programs around the country including American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Austin, Princeton Ballet School, and the Nutmeg Conservatory.

 

In 2022, Libby graduated from Mercyhurst University with a BFA in Dance and a BA in Dance Education. Libby proposed and designed the Dance Education degree, allowing her to combine classes from departments across campus to create an interdisciplinary and holistic education background. Courses included dance technique, education, and choreography with other related areas of study such as early childhood and special education methods, sports medicine, arts administration, business management, and psychology. 

 

During her collegiate studies, Libby found great interest in choreography. In addition to creating choreographic projects in school, she served as Choreographer in Residence for the Erie Dance Conservatory and received recognition for her choreography in Mercyhurst’s 2021 issue of the Lumen arts magazine. While in college, Libby attended, performed at, and choreographed for the American Collegiate Dance Association conference in 2020 and 2022. Libby completed internships in Choreography and Dancer Wellness at Deos Contemporary Ballet’s Summer 2021 season, and performed professionally with Deos in 2021 excerpts from The Nutcracker. 

 

Following undergraduate graduation, Libby eagerly returned to her home city and the wonderful arts community of Boston. Libby currently serves on the faculty at José Mateo Ballet Theatre as a ballet faculty member and rehearsal director, and at Boston Ballet as a community teaching artist in the Education and Community Initiatives program. In addition, she brings dance classes and workshops to various populations around Boston with courses including ballet, contemporary, creative and adaptive movement, and dance-based fitness. 

 

In 2022, Libby established Dance LAB, an artistic collective that aims to produce dance projects based on creative collaboration, vulnerable exploration, and the generation of innovative art. Dance LAB is a fluctuating group of artists that commit to participation in projects on a case-by-case basis, meaning dancers are always coming in and out of the studio. Through this model, Libby is able to enjoy choreographing for various dance artists and create work to be shown to audiences in Boston and beyond.   

 

In addition to her work in dance education and choreography, Libby works in freelance social media marketing and content production to help creative people bring organization and clarity to their online brand presence. Libby also serves as the Social Media Manager for NACHMO (National Choreography Month).

 

In the future, Libby plans to attend graduate school to study dance education and choreography to continue her pursuit of dance scholarship and using dance as a means of connection and activism. Libby is a recipient of the New England Dance Fund grant through NEFA, and is using funds to continue education through the National Dance Education Organization’s online professional development institute.