Hank Bamberger

Title: Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance
Dept/Program: School of Dance, Theatre, and Arts Administration
Office: Guzzetta Hall 398A
Phone: 330-972-4703
Email: rbamberg@uakron.edu
Website: https://hankbamberger.com/

Biography

Hank Bamberger is an esteemed artist and educator from the United States, renowned for his
groundbreaking contributions to conceptual art, experimental choreography, and movement
education. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Modern Dance
from Marymount Manhattan College in 2009, followed by a Master of Fine Arts in
Dance/Choreography from Sarah Lawrence College in 2020.
Bamberger's professional career includes significant engagements, such as his tenure with the
illustrious Paul Taylor II Dance Company from 2010 to 2015. Here, he performed on
international stages and taught the Taylor style and technique worldwide under the mentorship
of Mr. Paul Taylor, who affectionately dubbed him ‘Bam’ for the passion he exuded.
Additionally, he enriched the dance community by conducting summer intensives for the
Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance in New York City.
From 2015 to 2018, Bamberger served as Owner, Artistic Director, and Head of Dance at the
West End Academy of Dance in Richmond, VA. He left a lasting impact on the institution's
artistic landscape before founding Bamberger Dance Projects, an endeavor focused on
exploring improvisatory dance. His creative vision extended beyond traditional stages, leading
to collaborations with entities such as the United Nations Peace Boat, Design Pavilion NYC,
Azimut Yachts, and the Global Fashion Exchange (GFX) for ocean sustainability and Earth Day in
New York, NY.
Bamberger's talent was recognized when he was named an Emerging Choreographer at the
Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning's 10th Annual Making Moves Dance Festival in 2019. This
accolade highlighted his growing influence within the contemporary dance landscape. His
commitment to dance education saw him serve as the Ballet and Composition Specialist at the
Appomattox Regional Governor’s School (ARGS) in Richmond, VA, during the pandemic years of
2020 and 2021. Here, he led SAILDANCE, an initiative empowering young, pre-professional
female artists.
Bamberger’s international ventures include roles as a dance tutor for DanceXchange (now
FABRIC) in Birmingham, UK, Birmingham Dance Network’s Brum Pro Class, a visiting dance artist
with Autin Dance Theatre, and a Games Host for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
He also held teaching positions as a Visiting and Associate Lecturer of Performing Arts at
Performers College Essex and Performers College Birmingham from 2022 to 2023.
While in England, his artistic explorations continued as an Artist in Residence at DanceXchange,
Birmingham, and Metal Culture UK in their Peterborough, Liverpool, and Southend-on-Sea
locations. These residencies allowed him to create and develop experimental works, pushing
the boundaries of conventional choreographic practice. Currently, Bamberger is pursuing a PhD
in queer choreographic practice research at the Centre for Dance Research (C-DaRE) with
Coventry University. His research delves into the intersection of killer heels practices and queer
activism, unearthing profound truths through embodied performance and installation art.
Bamberger's artistic journey is marked by a relentless quest for innovation and expression,
exemplified by his seminal, evening-length works Illumiboy (2022) and Killer Heel Confessionals
(2023). These immersive experiences challenge societal norms and invite audiences into a
cathartic realm of self-discovery. In 2022, he presented Illumiboy at the Université de Lille in
Lille, France, during the Smart Textiles from Antiquity to Modern Times Conference. This
innovative presentation explored the intersection of synthetic textile arts, props, improvisation,
queerness, and contemporary dance, showcasing Bamberger's unique artistic vision.
Killer Heel Confessionals is the culmination of Bamberger’s research and embodied practice
with C-DaRE. This piece expresses the most cavernous flares of emotional and bodily
intelligence colliding, harmonizing, and steadfastly remaining in states of improvisational play.
It is a testament to his innovative approach, merging academic inquiry with visceral, dynamic
performance art. With both works, Bamberger has delivered compelling presentations at
Coventry University for their Creative Cultures Symposium in both 2022 and 2023, contributing
to critical discussions on contemporary dance, performance art, and queer aesthetics.
His collaborations and mentorship from dance and performance art luminaries have profoundly
shaped his work. Mentors such as Sara Rudner, John Jasperse, Patrick Corbin, Pat Catterson,
Peggy Gould, Franko B, and Ron Athey have provided invaluable insights into the intersection of
art, activism, and personal expression. Their guidance has been instrumental in Bamberger's
development as an artist, allowing him to fuse diverse influences and push the boundaries of
his creative practice.
Hank Bamberger is now embarking on a thrilling new chapter as a Visiting Assistant Professor of
Dance at The University of Akron. This role is a professional dream come true, and he is ecstatic
to join the unparalleled team of dance artists and pedagogues at UA. Bamberger eagerly looks
forward to working with the university’s talented, brilliant, and eager students and is ready to
inspire and be inspired by the next generation of dance artists. His journey reaffirms his status
as a trailblazer in contemporary art, continually pushing the boundaries of expression and
advocacy through his unique fusion of movement, technology, and queer aesthetics.