Established in 2006 by the Board of Regents to recognize long-time servants of the College who are distinguished for their teaching, professional work, and service to the college and community, this chair honors two legendary members of the St. Olaf music department: Oscar R. Overby ’21, who taught, composed, directed, and performed music from 1921 to 1950, and soprano Gertrude Boe Overby ’23, who taught voice and sang solos with the St. Olaf choir from 1930 through 1952. Samiha Peterson, Professor Emerita of Sociology/Anthropology was the first to hold this appointment. She was followed by Wendell Arneson (Art and Art History), Wendy Allen (Romance Languages-French), Barbara Reed (Asian Studies and Religion), Charles Taliaferro (Philosophy), and Mary Carlsen (Social Work and Family Studies).
Current Chair: Heather Klopchin (Dance)
Currently, Heather Klopchin is a Professor of Dance and Chair of the Dance Department at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN where she teaches Modern Dance, Jazz Dance, Ballet, and Dance History. She also choreographs for the St. Olaf Dance Department’s student company, Companydance©. Heather holds a BS degree in Management from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Geneseo and an MFA degree in Dance choreography and performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Heather is passionate about performing, choreographing, researching, and teaching dance. Highlights of her career to date include performing in works by Danny Buraczeski, Joe Chvala, Robert Cohan, Suzanne Costello, David Dorfman, Bill Evans, Karla Grotting, Judith Howard, Doris Humphrey, Mathew Janczewski, Walter Kennedy, Jennifer Isle, Linda Lehovec, Paula Mann, Gabriel Masson, Mark Morris, Jeffrey Peterson, Stuart Pimsler, Anthony Roberts, Melissa Rolnick, Zoe Sealy, Karis Sloss, Daniel Stark, Robin Stiehm, Deborah Thayer, Doug Varone, and Renée Wadleigh. She has performed with Stuart Pimsler Dance and Theater, ARENA Dances, Zenon Dance Company, Eclectic Edge Ensemble, Linda Lehovec & Dancers, Joe Chvala Flying Foot Forum, Dancing People Company, Off Leash Area, and Alternative Motion Project. Heather also currently serves as the ACDA (American College Dance Association) North-Central Regional Director.
Link to my performing work
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