Music

Lindsey O’Donnell

Hometown: Allendale, Michigan
High School: Homeschooled

Ensemble/Production/Organizational Involvement at GVSU:
I’ve been fortunate to have so many opportunities to perform and work with several different groups while at GVSU. I have been a part of the University Arts Chorale for all four years, I have been a soloist with the Glee Club and in the GVSU Concert Series at St. Mark’s, I have performed in the opera scenes productions for the past two years, and I have had the chance to work with the Early Music Ensemble and the New Music Ensemble.

How did you get into your field, and what led you to come to GVSU to study it?
For the majority of my life, music was the last field I would have chosen. Even though I loved singing (and had been involved in music from a very young age), I used to be too scared to perform anything, and I never thought I would be good enough to have a career in music. My choir director in middle school was the one who encouraged me to try singing a little solo, and then a bigger solo, and then to take voice lessons, and before I knew it, a career in music seemed like a very real possibility. When it came time to start making decisions about college, GVSU was my first-choice school. Both of my high school voice teachers and my piano teacher had graduated with music degrees from Grand Valley, and they were excellent musicians and spoke very fondly of their time there, so it just seemed like it would be a good fit for me, too.

What are some of your favorite memories from GVSU?
My entire experience at GVSU was amazing, but if I had to pick a few favorite memories, I would have to say that my junior and senior recitals were major highlights. It is so rewarding to have all your hard work pay off in that way – you spend months preparing and memorizing the music, digging into the text and the acting, writing program notes, trying to pick out the perfect outfit, but then everything comes together and you just get to sing and enjoy the evening. Some of my other favorite memories are from singing at the commencement ceremonies with my friends. I have met so many wonderful people while at GV, and it’s always so much fun to get to perform with them!

What is one thing you learned in your discipline while at Grand Valley?
One of my biggest takeaways from my time at GVSU was learning the importance of artistry. As a musician, it is so easy to get caught up in technique – to play it safe by avoiding digging into the meaning of the song (which also means digging into yourself). The magic happens, though, when you allow yourself to be creative, invest in the music, and connect with your audience. It’s challenging because it’s incredibly vulnerable work, but it is also so fulfilling to take the risk and commit to the music. I know that it is something I will have to keep working on and refining throughout my entire career, but I have witnessed and experienced the value of artistry throughout my time here, and I have learned practical skills that have drastically improved both my musicianship and my artistry over the past four years!

What are your plans for the future?
In the near future, I will be attending the American Institute of Musical Studies program in Austria this summer and will (hopefully) be starting a master’s degree program in vocal performance in the Fall of 2026. In the more long-term future, I am planning to have a performance career and to eventually get a doctoral degree and teach at the collegiate level.

Theatre

Hannah Cooke

Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Major: Theatre 
Minor: Advertising & Public Relations

Involvement: 
Performed in many Mainstage productions throughout GV Career! Most notable: The Importance of Being Earnest (Cecily Cardew), Mr.Burns: A Post Electric Play (Jenny), Merry Wives of Windsor (Mistress Page), Bard to Go 2024 (Kate), and The Rivals (Mrs. Malaprop). Directed both Radium Girls and Tigers Be Still for the PS Series, assisted with Stage Management and Intimacy Direction, and was the Irene Ryan Nominee for her roles as Cecily Cardew and Kate. Hannah also has been an APO E-Board Member as their Social Media Coordinator (2022-2025) and is currently the Social Media Assistant for the Theatre Department at the GVSU MTD Office (2023-2025).

How did you get into the field?: 
I saw a PS Series production of Almost Maine while I was in High School, and I was really intrigued about how a University like Grand Valley, offered programs to push their students to strive for success, and not just put the focus on performing only. I always wanted to direct a show, and the PS Series program gave me that opportunity not only just once, but twice and I am so grateful.  I also was interested in the fact that this program was not a BFA, which helps students learn different crafts to become more well rounded artists! It also was a perk that I am a third generation Grand Valley Student, so I knew that Grand Valley would for sure be in my future at some point.

Favorite memories: 
Honestly, the people that are a part of the community! Whether it was being in productions with my peers,  fun class memories, or even just hanging out in the PAC lobby with my friends, the community as a whole was really special. It makes saying goodbye so much harder, but I am so grateful for the times we had together! Special shoutout to In Love and Warcraft hangouts, the Bard to Go van trips, Diane Machines cast parties, and KCACTF adventures!

One thing you learned in discipline: 
How to adapt to the unexpected! My first ever production at Grand Valley, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, I received an email from the director 10 days before it opened asking me to learn 6 tracks as an understudy and join their team at rehearsal that night. I was at rehearsal a couple hours later, and jumped in the next day. I ended up going on for 2 tracks during that show, and was on for all but 2 shows! Because of this, I was able to apply these skills to shows later down the line, and it provided more opportunities for me to grow as a professional in this department, and outside of it at other theatres.

Future plans?: 
I am so excited to announce that I will be attending and participating in the Disney College Program for Fall of 2025! This summer before moving, I am also Stage Managing my fourth production with Over The Top Academy of Dance for their production of Descendants Jr. After that, I hope to build up my portfolio not only as a performer, but also as a director to use for grad school applications! I hope to someday become a professor like the faculty here, and give back to the community I originally learned from! Or if all else, I would love to continue to help theatre companies with their marketing as a Social Media Assistant so I get to do my two things I love!

Dance

Hannah Bernhardt

Hometown: Algonac, MI
High School: Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School
Home Studio: Spotlight Dance Works

Secondary Major: Advertising & Public Relations

Ensemble/Production/Organizational Involvement at GVSU:
I have been involved in Momentum Student-Run Dance Organization all 8 semesters of college.

How did you get into your field, and what led you to come to GVSU to study it?
I have been dancing since I was three years old. I danced as a fun after-school activity until middle school, when I wanted to be more involved in the company and competitive dance. As I entered high school, I did not plan on dancing in college, but the older I got, the more I could not see my life without it. I auditioned at a few different places before ultimately deciding on Grand Valley. I had known a few people in the program and figured why not give it a try.

What are some of your favorite memories from GVSU?
GVSU’s dance program has brought me some of my fondest memories. Spending every single day with my best friends has been an absolute dream, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Working with my capstone cast this semester has been one of my favorite memories of all time. We had rehearsals filled to the brim with love and laughter, which made the process so easy. I love them and everyone in the program with my whole heart.

What is one thing you learned in your discipline while at Grand Valley?
Throughout my time at Grand Valley, I found my artistic voice as a dancer and choreographer. I learned to never give up on myself, no matter how hard times may get. I had to believe in myself and push myself past my limits to grow as a dancer and choreographer. You will never improve if you stay in your comfort zone. Being open to trying new things and giving it your all will only benefit you in the future. 

What are your plans for the future?
In the future, I plan to continue dancing in multiple forms. I would love to teach dance to younger children, continue choreographing, and continue performing. I would also love to run social media for a dance studio or dance company, which would combine both my love for dance and advertising.

"I would also like to thank every single person who got me here today and believed in me throughout this process. I am so thankful for the family this program has brought me and will forever cherish every moment I have spent getting to know and love each person."

2024

Music: Natalie Feldpausch
Theatre: Katie Rain Auberle
Dance: Alaina Hogan

2023

Music: Stephanie Bueche
Theatre: Anna Compton
Dance: Megan Vernier

2022

Music: Tumaini Sango
Theatre: Hamlet Arnott
Dance: Megan Wolter

2021

Music: Jim Groelsma 
Theatre: Marcus Chapman
Dance: Rya Greene 

2020

Music: Sharon Yi-Hsuan Wu
Theatre: Allyson Albrecht
Dance: Zoe Lionas