51ĀŅĀ×

Sarah Ramey is a choreographer, performer and teacher who dances and makes dances with people of all ages and backgrounds. She joined the faculty of the School of Dance at 51ĀŅĀ× in 2025 as an Assistant Professor with a focus on dance and healthy aging. Her research explores the role dance plays as a physical, creative, and social practice to enhance the lives of older adults, and how dance can contribute to the flourishing of individuals at every stage of life and their communities.

Sarah is the founder and co-director of Perennial Movement Group, a program of dance classes and performance opportunities for adults over age 50 that cultivates creativity, health and community involvement. Founded in 2015 in Columbus, Ohio, the program expanded in 2021 to include a performance ensemble (The Perennials) which has created and performed nine original works at venues ranging from retirement communities to dance festivals. PMG reaches over 200 seniors a year in Central Ohio through classes and events, including partnerships with the Ohio Veterans Administration and the Delaware County Jail.

Sarah began her professional dance career in 2007 with Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, a multigenerational dance company founded in 1976. For six years, Sarah traveled around the US and internationally to perform, as well as teach and make dances with people of all ages and abilities. During her career, she had the privilege of dancing in works by Liz Lerman, Cassie Meador, Gesel Mason, Samantha Speis, Keith Thompson, Sara Pearson/Patrik Widrig and Robert Battle. Her own work has been presented at venues ranging from small scale (her front yard) to large scale (The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts). Recent work includes ā€œInside Voices,ā€ a collaborative evening- length work created in collaboration with four other artist-mothers, and ā€œSee Through,ā€ an intergenerational dance work created in collaboration with Chloe Napoletano and a cast of 20 dancers ranging in age from 25-85.

Sarah trained at McDonogh School with Ilona Kessell, then went on to receive her BA in Dance from the University of Maryland, College Park, and her MFA in Dance from The Ohio State University. She lives in Athens, Ohio, with her husband, musician Steve Ramey, and their two children.