In the Spotlight | Barb Wieland
In our mission to support Central Cass students in the arts, our “In the Spotlight” series aims to showcase alumni deserving recognition.
Barb (Sinner) Wieland | Central Cass Class of 1976
Dancer + Instructor, 8th Street Studio of Dance
Barb (Sinner) Wieland will tell you, “The arts can bring you so much joy throughout your whole life. It can be a hobby or a career, but usually, when you find something you love, you will continue to find ways to express yourself through that art. Art is so very therapeutic. It touches your mind, body and your soul.”
Barb, a graduate of The College of St Benedict with a Liberal Studies degree and an emphasis in dance and education, has lived a life immersed in the art of dance. She is well known in the Casselton and Fargo communities for her contributions in modern dance. From 1981 to 1990, Barb was part of a modern dance company, Mahkata Dance Theatre, and toured around North Dakota, Canada and Minneapolis. Later, she and two others, Leah Fujimoto and Katie Bruckbauer, ran 8th Street Studio of Dance, a creative movement and modern dance studio for 21 years. After closing the dance studio in 2011, she continued to hold summer dance workshops through the Casselton Parks and Recreation. Barb has done choreography for musicals at Central Cass and for liturgical dance at the Nativity Church of Fargo and St Leo’s Catholic Church in Casselton.
Wieland started taking dance classes in 5th grade from Renee Moos in Casselton in her parents’ garage-turned-dance studio. When Barb was a sophomore, Renee moved to Minneapolis, so she and her cousin, Katie Bruckbauer, and took over teaching classes and putting on recitals. They handmade all the costumes, did the choreography and performed for variety shows and Casselton Summerfest events. After this, Barb was hooked on dance! She also recalls a love of having parts in high school plays, being in the choir and taking art classes.
“The arts can bring you so much joy throughout your whole life. It can be a hobby or a career, but usually, when you find something you love, you will continue to find ways to express yourself through that art. Art is so very therapeutic. It touches your mind, body and your soul.”
Barb married Mark Wieland in 1983, and together they had four children, Tony, Adam, Greg and Rachel. Now that the kids are grown, she is not dancing as much, so Barb and Mark put their creative energy into woodworking projects. Summer flower gardens are another creative outlet for Barb.
Though her body has more aches and pains, and she can’t do everything she used to, Barb continues to love to dance! Currently, Barb and Katie are working on choreography to a book of poems written by Katie. They hope to perform them soon! Another cousin, Mary Jo Sinner, has illustrated the book!
Thanks for sharing your story, Barb!
“In the Spotlight” features Central Cass alum who have excelled in the arts. Do you know a squirrel deserving recognition? Nominate them here!
