Barbara Clausen

Barbara Clausen is a dancer, specialty artist, teacher, wife, mother, grandmother, and business owner. She was born in Denver, Colorado and began taking dance lessons at the age of three. As a young girl she was a part of many radio and live TV dance performances such as Country Music Jamboree and Tap-Square Dance. She also engaged in volunteer work such as performing for hospitalized patients. At the age of fifteen, Barbara began teaching dance lessons, and at the age of sixteen she started two small dance studios in Denver and Deer Trail. She continued to run these studios while she attended Colorado University. There, she received a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education and later received a BA in Elementary Education.

In 1965, Barbara was hired by the USO as a featured soloist to entertain servicemen both stateside & overseas. During this time Barbara performed in 19 foreign countries and even received a letter of appreciation from the Department of the Airforce. Working with the USO would also lead Barbara to Alaska. Barbara fell in love with the beauty of the state after performing at 57 remote sites including the Aleutian Islands and above the Arctic Circle. Upon finishing her final tour with the USO in 1967, she decided to settle in Anchorage with her husband Steve Clausen.

In 1967, Barbara began teaching for the Conservatory of Dance under the direction of Lynda Lorimer. During this time, she also taught kindergarten at Fort Richardson which was part of the Alaska State Operated School System. In 1968, Barbara began teaching ballroom dance at the University of Alaska and also founded their modern dance program. In 1973, Barbara opened a studio that specifically focused on tap, jazz, and acrobatics. She started Barbara’s School of Dance. From the beginning, her whole family was involved. Her husband, Steve, helped assist with acro tricks and proclaimed himself the studio's official "janitor." He also built furniture for the studio and props for the shows. Barbara's two children, Tori and Danny, both grew up at the studio, spending more time there than at home!

Over the years, the studio was involved in various community performances. Over the last five decades, Barbara and her students volunteered to perform for numerous events and organizations such as Anchorage Downtown Partnership, the Anchorage Museum, Anchorage Senior Center Lions, the Anchorage Sister Cities Gala, the Arctic Winter Games, Aspen Creek Senior Living Center, Festival of Trees, the Fur Rondy Prospector’s Ball, Holiday Entertainment at the Diamond Center, Trick-or-Treat Town, the UAA Arts Fair, and so many more. Besides these performances, each year Barbara puts on an annual recital at West High School that is completely free so that all of Anchorage community is able to attend!

As of 2023, Barbara’s School of Dance celebrated 50 years of business! Barbara was even honored with an award in business leadership from the Northrim Bank. Barbara’s daughter Tori who grew up to be a professional dancer (working seven years as a Radio City Rockette) is now a co-owner of the studio. They continue to offer free recitals and strive to create dancers that are confident, happy people on & off stage. Barbara has been honored to see dance grow in Anchorage, and is proud of what she’s has done for generations of dancers.

Barbara Clausen Students of Note:

• Tori Roberts: BA in Dance Chapman University, Radio City Rockettes, Norwegian Cruise Line, Will Roger’s Follies, Wild Bill’s Western Diner, Co-Owner of Barbara’s School of Dance

• Caitlin Roberts: BA in Dance Loyola Marymount University, Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show, Disney Parks Entertainment Parades

• Elizabeth Wilberg (Shelton-Kelley): BFA in Modern Dance University of Utah, Ririe Woodbury Dance Company

• Lashonda L. Williams: BA in Dance Arizona Dance University, White Oak Project I, Owner of Hoj Poj Movement Company

• Jocelyn Hanson: MA in Dance Studies University of Roehampton, BA in Dance Niagara University

• Courtney Warner: Celebrity Cruise Line, Mike Maloney Entertainment

• Sarah Sakina Hansford Kurani: Disney Parks Entertainment, Director of Adapti Dance

• Mikal Preston: Owner of Studio 49

• Valerie Thurston: Owner of The Tap Studio