Heartland Dance Inc.
Board of Directors

Hannalisa Bekker
President
Treasurer

Having grown up as the daughter of Heartland’s founder Nancy Gordon, Hannalisa started dancing at the early age of 4 years old. She quickly developed a passion for the art, and danced at Heartland for 14 years. 

She continued to study dance at the University of Oregon, where her focus was in Modern Dance technique and performance, and simultaneously earned her BA in English Literature. 

In 2013 she co-founded The Dance Movement in Eugene, Oregon. This cooperative provided a space for advanced level, technically trained Modern dancers to come together, collaborate, and teach the general public. The Dance Movement provided free classes to high school students at the local arts high school, and offered classes and choreographic opportunities to members of the community. 

Hannalisa went on to study in a graduate medical program, and now works full time as a Licensed Acupuncturist, licensed through the Oregon Medical Board and National Licensing Board. During her graduate education, she also became certified through the Ling Gui International Healing Qigong School as a teacher of the 1000 Hands Buddha Qigong. 

Hannalisa has a passion for merging her dance background with her healing practice, promoting the use of dance for personal growth and self-expression. She has a great love for teaching dance, and has taught many forms over the last 16 years. She is thrilled to be back in the Rogue Valley where she can bring her love of dance to her hometown community. 
https://www.nexusacupuncture.com/

Clyde Highbarger
Vice-President

Clyde Highbarger became involved in theatre during High School. That involvement has continued for more than 40 years. As such he has worked on 300 to 400 plus productions. His primary interest is in lighting design but he is also skilled in sound design, stage management, set design as well as construction. He has been a director and makeup designer. His theatrical background has enabled him to work with a variety of well known actors such as Jesse White, Lee Merriweather, Jim Hutton, Timothy Hutton, The Pointer sisters. He has worked with all the dance and theatre companies in Grants Pass. During his time in college he designed lighting for multiple theatre companies and has had three shows running simultaneously. He is currently supervisor of the Grants Pass High School Performing Arts Center.

Bob Wilson
Board Member

• President of Heartland 2000-2023

• Member of the Three Rivers School District Board for 8 years, Chairman for 2 of those years.

• Cub Scout Cub-master, Youth basketball and Soccer Coach.

• Played in local bands for the last 20 years & volunteers to play music at adult care facilities,

• President Heartland Dance for 20 years,

• Bob has owned Roley’s Pacific Supply Co. for the last 26 years
  https://roleyspacificsupply.com/

Ruth Sears
Secretary

Ruth Sears has been dancing since childhood.  She did Balkan and Israeli folk dancing, from age 8-18,  performing at various events throughout the San Fransisco Bay Area.

Ruth started ballet at the late age of 17, and has basically never stopped.  She is also a square dancer.

Ruth has also been involved in various aspects of theater, throughout her life, first at Stanford University, and later working as the costumer for several productions with the Santa Cruz Children's Theater.

Ruth's education includes a Supervisor's Certificate from the Playcentre Association of New Zealand  -- comparable to a degree in Early Childhood Education/ Child Behavior, here.  Ruth was the Head Teacher/Supervisor of the Picton, Marlborough, Playcenter for five years.

Upon returning to the US, Ruth went back to college in Santa Cruz, CA, studying earth sciences. 

Moving to Josephine County, OR, in 1992, Ruth became involved with Heartland Dance Studio, then under the direction of founder, Nancy Gordon.  Ruth and her five children have all been involved in local dance and theater, over the past 25 years, at Heartland, Stillpoint, Barnstormers, RMT, One Eleven, Stardust, and Connect the Dots.

Ruth has also been an active member of Josephine County Search & Rescue, since 2003, serving as a Ground Searcher, Rope Rescue Team, and Training Committee. Ruth is an instructor for the Oregon State Sheriff’s Academy.

Ruth has served as a member of the Heartland Board of Directors since we became a non-profit. She has performed onstage, as well as holding various positions in the production crew, for our shows.
http://ruthsears.com/