“Praise This Fear” (excerpt from "The Moon Is Always Full"). Composed by Mare Berger. Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard and Emily Marie Pope. Videography by Melissa Wu. Site: Historic Lefferts House in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

"Even When We Forget" (excerpt from "The Moon Is Always Full"). Composed by Mare Berger. Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard, Emily Marie Pope, and Catherine Murcek. Costume design by Mary Symczak. Videography by Klassic Carella. Editing by Emily Marie Pope. Site: Terrace Bridge in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

"Step Away My Dear" (excerpt from "The Moon Is Always Full"). Composed by Mare Berger. Choreographed and directed by Hannah Louise Barnard. Costume design by Mary Symczak. Videography by Klassic Carella. Editing by Emily Marie Pope. Site: Boathouse in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

"Already Whole" (excerpt from "The Moon Is Always Full"). Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard and Catherine Murcek. Costume design by Mary Symczak. Videography and editing by Emily Marie Pope. Site: Vale of Cashmere in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

"The Moon Is Always Full." Composed by Mare Berger. Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard, Catherine Murcek, and Emily Marie Pope. Videography by Klassic Carella and Emily Marie Pope. Costume design by Mary Symczak. Editing by Emily Marie Pope. Premiered at Barbes Brooklyn on July 29, 2023.

CONCEPT: Inspired by Mare Berger's album, “The Moon Is Always Full,” Emily, Cat and I explore relationships between women and nature, movement and moon cycles, humanity and healing, seasons of the climate and seasons of life.

“Wild Women.” Choreographed and directed by Megan Sipe. Performed by The Chocolate Dances Company. Music: “Spiritual Revolution” by Sterling Witt. Paintings by Sterling Witt. Videography by Sasha Santiago. Oct. 1, 2016.

"Mother Wound." Choreographed and directed by Hannah Louise Barnard and Emily Marie Pope. Music: Improvisations on Hildegard Von Bingen's "Spiritus Sanctus Vivificans" by John Carroll (keyboard) and Justine Leichtling (violin/standing bells). Film projections by Hannah Louise Barnard, Adriyen Chelminska, Drew Madland, and Emily Marie Pope. Costumes by Mary Symczak. Dramaturgy by Avi Klipfel. Photo by Steven Pisano. Presented through Take Root at Green Space, an incubator of dance in Queens, on November 15, 2025.

CONCEPT: "Mother Wound" reads like a ceremonial ritual. Tangled imagery between two dancers within a womb-like swath of fabric illustrates the umbilical cord as both a beautiful symbol of connection and a terrifying symbol of suffocation. Natural imagery in the film projection expands this symbolism to include a representation of the relationship between humanity and Mother Earth. Reconciliation between humans and nature through the familiar lens of a complex mother/daughter relationship can reanimate nature within the human psyche, thus healing our relationship with Earth.

“Estuary." Choreographed and directed by Hannah Louise Barnard. Music: "Partita No. 3 for Solo Violin in E Major, BWV 1006 (1. Preludio)" and "Sonata for Violin Solo No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003 (3. Andante)" by J. S. Bach, "O Rubor Sanguinis" by Hildegard Von Bingen, and improvisations by Allison Dubinski. Text by Hannah Louise Barnard. Photo by Steven Pisano. Presented through PrideFest at The Tank NYC, a home for emerging artists, on June 26, 2022.

CONCEPT: “Estuary” - a body of water where the tide meets the stream - can be a healing image of grief: An intense collision between the salty tidal waves of sorrow and the healing waters of fresh life. Dive into a flow of music, movement, and storytelling with dance theater artist Hannah Louise Barnard and violinist Allison Dubinski as they alchemize their experiences as queer women through the power of humor, beauty, ritual, and lots of fun outfits.

"A Mourning Ritual." Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard. Projections and photo by Suzy Sureck. Music: "O Rubor Sanguinis" by Hildegard Von Bingen, "Solo Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor BWV 1008 (1. Prelude)" and "Sonata for Violin Solo No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003 (3. Andante)" by J.S. Bach, and "Duo for Violin and Cello, H. 157 (I. Praeludium)" by Bohuslav Martinu. Violin by Sharon Gunderson. Cello by Scott Ballantyne. Videography by Kyle P. Walker. October 31, 2019.

CONCEPT: The five sections of this work represent five stages of a personal mourning ritual. “Invocation” is infused with elements of Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance technique. It calls upon the Earth Goddess Sita, who births life and absorbs death. “Initiation” depicts an inner struggle between the hardened adult-self and the wounded inner child. “Inner Child” is at the heart of this work. The movement becomes buoyant, open, uplifted, trusting… until a flashback to a terrible memory sends the body of the child-self careening into chaos. Through “Integration,” the inner child is healed by nurturing aspects of her own adult-self; The fabric serves as a bandage for her wounds, the healing waters of rebirth, and a cocoon catalyzing her metamorphosis. In “Release,” a newly transformed woman arises from her own ashes, blesses the earth, and veils herself as she departs from the site of her transformation.

“Ballade.” Composed by Eugene Ysaye. Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard. Violin by Sharon Gunderson. Photo by Suzy Sureck. Videography by Kyle P. Walker. Sept. 17, 2018.

"Embodied: Dances of the Soul." Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard. Violin by Sharon Gunderson. Cello by Leah Coloff. Piano by Mary Bopp. Photo by Suzy Sureck. Videography by Kyle P. Walker. February 7, 2017.

0:00-12:45 - "Sonata for Solo Violin" by Sergei Prokofiev - Hannah and Sharon. (0:00 - Movement 1: Moderato / Dance: "Resilibound." 5:15 - Movement 2: Andante Dolce / Dance: "Dulce de Leche." 8:40 - Movement 3: Con Brio / Dance: "Tempranillo.")
12:45-15:40 - "Hangover Improvisation" - Hannah, Sharon & Mary.
28:25-31:00 - "La fille au cheveux de lin (The Girl with the Flaxen Hair)" by Claude Debussy - Mary and Hannah.
31:00-35:15 - "Danza ritual del fuego (Ritual Fire Dance)" by Manuel de Falla - Mary and Hannah.
35:15-45:00 - "Phoenix Improvisation" - Leah, Hannah & Mary.
56:55-1:04:00 - "L'ouange a l'Immortalite de Jesus (Praise to the Immortality of Jesus)" by Olivier Messiaen - Sharon, Mary & Hannah.

“Bitter Suite.” Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard, Emily Petry, and Gwendolyn Petry. Washington Heights Community Conservatory of Fine Arts. June 2016.

0:00 - "Stabat Mater" (Movements I, VIII, XI, XII) by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi.
13:40 - "Concerto Grosso in D Minor Opus 3 No. 5:11. Fuga (Allegro)" by George Fridrich Handel.
16:00 - "Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor BWV 1052 Mvt. 1" by Johann Sebastian Bach.

“Send Forth Your Spirit” (Psalm 104). Composed by Ike Sturm. Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard. Dancers: Hannah Louise Barnard, Noelle Leon, James McClain, Catherine Murcek, Melissa Wu. Photo by Suzy Sureck. Pentecost Jazz Mass: June 9, 2019.

CONCEPT: Pentecost (“Fiftieth”) represents seven weeks and one day after Passover. This ancient harvest celebration gathered together worshipers from many different nations. At the beginning of the dance, a sequence of seven gestural movements (derived from the storytelling language of Bharatanatyam) related to sowing, pruning, gathering, and blessing the earth is repeated seven times by three dancers in unison. Fire and wind then descend upon them, foreshadowing Peter’s prophecy: “Hearken to my words… this is that which was spoken by the prophet… And it shall come to pass in the last days… I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young (wo)men shall see visions, your old (wo)men shall dream dreams… And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood…” Receiving the wind and flame empowers each dancer to improvise within their own movement language, thus “speaking in tongues.”

“White Pond Sunshine” (5:09). Composed by Ike Sturm. Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard. “When Did you Leave Heaven?” (11:48) feat. Catherine Russell (vocals). Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard and Emily Petry. Photo by Suzy Sureck. Easter Jazz Mass: April 21, 2019.

CONCEPT: Christ’s resurrection signifies a completion of the “life-death-life” cycle, a phenomenon that perennially reveals itself to humanity. In nature, the death of plants provides fertile ground for new growth. In humans, our ever-shifting lives constantly ask us to die to former selves, thereby allowing deeper aspects of self to emerge. Through the processes of remembering, mourning, and molting, Emily and I explore the ways in which this “life-death-life” cycle has shown up in our personal journeys. In our solos, we release our former selves, laying them to rest, and unearth the core essence that remains. This ritual of preparation creates space for a powerful and delicate transformation to naturally spring forth, represented through our final duet.

“The Divinity of the Clouded Mountain.” Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard in collaboration with Catherine Murcek and Emily Marie Pope. Music improvisation by Froydis Grorud, Helge Nysted, Jesse Lewis, Ike Sturm, and Thomas Hvale. Photo by Suzy Sureck. Transfiguration Jazz Mass: March 3, 2019.

CONCEPT: Nowhere in the Scriptures do I find a more thorough integration of light and shadow than in the Transfiguration on the Mount. One moment, we are blinded by the dazzling light of Christ’s divinity; The next, we are overshadowed by a cloud of mystery. In the choreography, I attempt to capture the confusion and disorientation resulting from both extremes. This work represents a catalytic moment in Peter’s inner spiritual journey. The tabernacle walls encasing his belief system are smashed… The foundations of his religious understanding are shaken to the core… The structures of a learned faith crumble at his feet, releasing unrestrained light, power, and holiness that terrify him. He is left exposed, vulnerable, ready to be rebuilt from scratch, shielded only by the living presence of a Divine Mystery who has now made Herself known.

"Psalm Improvisation" (0:00) and “Stillness” (4:52). Composed by Ike Sturm (feat. Sara Caswell String Quartet). Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard. Photo by Suzy Sureck. Advent III: Dec. 16, 2018.

“Quietness” (4:07). Composed by Chris Dingman. Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard and James McClain. “No Boundaries” (15:47). Composed by Chris Dingman. Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard, Kelly Garone, and James McClain. Photo by Steven Pisano. June 10, 2018.

“Wishful Song” (10:50). Composed by Chris Dingman. Movement improvisation by Hannah Louise Barnard. “Say I Am You” (13:06). Composed by Chris Dingman. Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard and Maggie Segale. Photo by Steven Pisano. June 3, 2018.

"River." Composed by Ike Sturm. Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard in collaboration with Catherine Murcek and Emily Marie Pope. Photo by James Beaudreau. Easter Jazz Mass: April 16, 2017.

"Salt of the Earth." Composed by Timo Vollbrecht. Movement improvisation by Hannah Louise Barnard and Emily Petry. Photo by James Beaudreau. Palm Sunday: March 20, 2016.

"The Boy Who Walked Backwards." Text and song by Chanda Rule Bernroider. Refrain based on a text by Antonio Machado, translated by Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz. Melody composed by Annette T. Covatta. Bass improvisation by Ike Sturm. Movement improvisation by Hannah Louise Barnard. Photo by James Beaudreau. Lent II: Feb. 21, 2016.

“El Niñito Jesus.” Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard and Roberto Lara. Music improvisation by Ike Sturm Ensemble. Photo by James Beaudreau. Epiphany IV: Feb. 3, 2013.

"Stabat Mater." Composed by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard in collaboration with Christine Jordan, Emily Petry, and Gwendolyn Petry. Photo by Aubrie Rodriguez. Lent IV: March 15, 2015.

"Nymphs' Pas de Trois" (from "Walpurgisnacht"). Composed by Charles Gounod. Choreography by Roberto Lara after Leonid Lavrovsky. Dancers: Hannah Louise Barnard, Emily Petry, Gwendolyn Petry. Photo by Aubrie Rodriguez. Holy Trinity Sunday: June 15, 2014.

"Blades of Refraction." Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard. Dancers: Hannah Louise Barnard, Roberto Lara, Emily Petry, Gwendolyn Petry, Karina Teran. Music: “Prelude in G Minor Opus 23 No. 5” by Sergei Rachmaninov. Photo by Aubrie Rodriguez. Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels: Sept. 29, 2013. 

“Six Stone Jars.” Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard and Roberto Lara. Dancers: Hannah Louise Barnard, Lainie Berman, Shiloh Hodges, Roberto Lara. Music: "Tribus Miraculis" by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Videography by Joshua Reaver. Photo by Aubrie Rodriguez. Epiphany III: Jan. 27, 2013.

0:00 - House Left.
6:42 - House Center.
14:22 - Aerial View.

"Twosdays." Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard. Music: “Old World,” “Fire of Ada,” and “Big Top” by Tin Hat. Photo by Aubrie Rodriguez. Videography by Becky Bilock. Spring 2022 Gala by La Roche University’s Performing Arts Department.

“Whose Leg Is It Anyway?” Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard. Dancers: Hannah Louise Barnard, Lainie Berman, Ashley D’Amboise, Shiloh Hodges, Emily Petry, Gwendolyn Petry. Music: "Fire of Ada," "Orbly Resting," and "Big Top" by Tin Hat. Photo by Aubrie Rodriguez. Presented through Under Exposed at Dixon Place (NYC): Fall 2012.

"Bitter Suite." Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard. Dancers: Scott Curley, Kim Diepold, Shiloh Hodges, Christine Jordan, Roxanne Kidd, Gianna Mercandetti, Emily Petry, Gwendolyn Petry, Aaron Robin, Aubrie Rodriguez. Music: "Concerto Grosso in D Minor Opus 3 No. 5:11. Fuga (Allegro)" by George Frideric Handel and "Les feux d’artifice t’appellent (The Fireworks Call Out to You)" by Rufus Wainwright. Spring 2012.

"Collage." Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard, Scott Aaron Curley, Hope Gaines, and Roxanne Kidd. Spring 2012.

"There Is No Rose." Composed by Randall Stroope. Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard. Costume design by Currie Leggoe. Funded by FSU’s Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities Award (URCAA) for the Pittsburgh Girl’s Choir 2011 UK Summer Tour.

"The Dusky Skirmish." Choreography, composition, direction, videography, and editing by Hannah Louise Barnard. Dancers: Emily Petry and Gwendolyn Petry. Photo by Aubrie Rodriguez. Spring 2011.

"Where Did That Leg Come From?" A whimsical adventure exploring the personalities of seven quirky creatures as they coalesce into a community. Choreography by Hannah Louise Barnard. Dancers: Carri Britt, Kim Diepold, Shiloh Hodges, Emily Petry, Gwendolyn Petry, Aubrie Rodriguez, Krista Valdmanis. Music: "Orbly Resting" and "Big Top" by Tin Hat. Photo by Aubrie Rodriguez. Days of Dance: Fall 2010.