Maureen Janson received a BS in ballet from Indiana University and an MFA in dance performance and choreography from the University of Michigan. She is artistic director of SMARTDANCE, coordinator of the dance/movement programs in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Continuing Studies, a lecturer in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Dance Program, founder of SMARTBODY Personal Activity Programs, and a freelance writer and editor. She is the recipient of the 2001 Choreographer?s Fellowship from the Wisconsin Arts Board. Maureen has been choreographer for the acclaimed American Players Theatre since 2000, and for the Great River Shakespeare Festival since 2004.

As a guest, master teacher and artist in residence, Maureen has taught at Millikin University, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Wichita State University, Oshkosh North High School, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Illinois Institute of Technology, Alfred University, Montay College, Svetlova Dance Center, L?academie de Ballet du Saguenay, Universit? Laval and at numerous studios nationwide.

Maureen?s choreography work in Wisconsin has been commissioned by and presented at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Lawrence University, Cardinal Stritch University, Brave Hearts Theatre, Madison Civic Center, Kanopy Dance, Walker?s Point Center for the Arts, and Danceworks and at noted venues in Chicago, New York, Minneapolis and across the country. She has performed as a soloist from New York to Alaska.

Maureen?s recent writing has been published in Dance Magazine College Guide, Dance Teacher Magazine, The Capital Times, Madison daily newspaper and Wisconsin Woman monthly magazine, Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine. She is the recipient of a Dance Critics Association Fellowship for 2004. For the National Dance Education Organization, Maureen served as a field researcher and writer for the Department of Education-sponsored Research in Dance Education project which will result in an extensive database comprised of unpublished nationwide dance education literature. She has edited manuscripts for Jan Erkert, (Harnessing the Wind, the art teaching of modern dance technique?Human Kinetics), Anna Paskevska, (Ballet Beyond Tradition?Routledge Press), and recently she has worked as a book reviewer for Routledge Press.

Maureen?s work has earned her numerous awards and recognitions from Madison Citiarts, Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission (five-time recipient), Madison Civic Center Foundation, Innovative Production Fund, Dance Critics Association, Chicago Dance Teaching Initiative, Wisconsin Artist in Residence Program, Madison Community Foundation, Rackham Graduate School, and the Center for Education of Women. She is an appointed member of the Madison Arts Commission.