Ms. Myra Daleng

Myra Daleng created the dance program at the University of Richmond in 1985 and was the director of dance for 27 years. She instituted the dance major and minor within the Department of Theatre and Dance during her time as director. This position included teaching dance technique classes in ballet, jazz, tap and modern. Ms. Daleng also taught choreography, dance history and kinetics--the science of movement for dancers. Ms. Daleng also founded and served as artistic director for the University Dancers, the student performing company, for 25 years where she elevated the program to bring in internationally known choreographers to create works for the company. She choreographed numerous musicals for the University of Richmond's theatre productions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in dance from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in dance from James Madison University.

Prior to the University of Richmond, Ms. Daleng was the artistic director and proprietor of Richmond Dance Center for 12 years. Ms. Daleng performed as a principal dancer with the Richmond Ballet Civic Company (1976-79), was a principal dancer and artistic director of Ballet Contemporary (1978-79) the modern company of the Richmond Ballet. She also co-founded and performed with the Virginia Dance Company (1980-83). Ms. Daleng performed in musicals for the Barn Dinner Theatre and Theatre IV now Virginia Repertory Theatre. Ms. Daleng taught dance for the Virginia Governor's School for the Visual and Performing Arts for nine years, hosted by the University of Richmond.

Upon retiring in 2013 Ms. Daleng became a Certified, Artistry teacher of BeMoved® an adult dance fitness program created by Sherry Zunker, and now teaches BeMoved for the University of Richmond’s Osher Institute and in private studios. BeMoved is a program that inspires participants to embrace dance as a lifelong path to health, joy and fulfillment. She also adjudicates the West Virginia Dance Festival and teaches ballet, tap, dance history and BeMoved yearly at the festival.