Valley Dance Ensemble
Creating Modern Dance in Cache Valley since 1983
Photography by Jamie Younker
Valley Dance Ensemble (VDE) was founded in 1983 by Marion Andersen and remains as Cache Valley’s only modern dance company. VDE strives to carry on the legacy of dance that Marion left to the Cache Valley community.
Artistic Directors:
1983-2003: Marion Anderson
2003-2014: Suzann Kienast-Brown
2014-2018: Tessa Evans
2018-2020: Bethany Faux
2020-2022: Katie Anderson
2022-present: Caitlyn Jennings
Valley Dance Ensemble also operates the only dance school in Cache Valley focused on modern and creative dance education for all ages from preschool to senior dancers. Established in 2014 by Bethany Faux as VDE-Youth, it was rebranded and expanded as the VDE School for Modern Dance in 2024 with Marina Wagner as the inaugural Education Director.
Mission Statement
The purpose of this organization is to stimulate the growth of modern dance as a performing art in Cache Valley and northern Utah with specific objectives which include developing and promoting interest in the study of modern (contemporary) dance as a performing art; forming, developing, promoting and operating a performing modern dance company; presenting public modern dance performances of artistic excellence by the Valley Dance Ensemble and by visiting modern dance companies and artists; enabling modern dancers to gain experience for possible future professional association by insisting on the most professional standards of training and performance; providing a medium for the development of teachers, dancers, choreographers, musicians and designers; promoting and offering qualified professional training in modern dance for serious students cultivating talent in modern dance among residents of the area; raising funds and otherwise promoting the activities of the Valley Dance Ensemble in order to educate the public to understand and appreciate the best in the performing art which is called modern or contemporary dance.