by Susan Ambrosetti

Haley Wortel (AB Dance '24) emerged from Franklin’s dance department as an artist, educator, and writer whose ambition shaped every step of her undergraduate journey.  

While completing her P-12 teacher certification in dance, she also pursued a second major in journalism at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication - an impressive combination that reflects both her intellectual range and her commitment to the field. Her professors often noted how seamlessly she blended analytical thinking with creative expression - a pairing that made her choreography thoughtful and her writing compelling.  

This blend of skills propelled her directly into a leadership role after graduation, when Gwinnett County Public Schools hired her to direct the dance program at Osborne Middle School. Dance specialists are asked to be far more than instructors; they must be leaders, innovators, problem‑solvers, and visionaries who can build community while nurturing young artists. Haley embodies all of that with ease.  

“Dancers at Osborne Middle School receive foundational training in ballet, jazz, and contemporary modern,” Wortel said. “In addition to movement-based learning and choreography, students also study dance history, dance terminology, the elements of choreographic design, and reflective practices to support the development of the whole learner.” 

Her success is a vivid example of the excellence taking root at UGADance - proof that the department is not only training dancers but cultivating the next generation of creative leaders.