it’s fascinating and a little frightening to witness something so precise, innate and powerful. She has fierce presence on stage: Whether the choreography is graceful or gruesome, she never loses her intensity. And when she’s performing in an ensemble piece, her body—inked, pierced and, in a word, ripped—
is the one your eye seeks out again and again.
Brangien Davis/Seattle Magazine
Originally from Minneapolis, I began my movement training in 1982
with Minnesota Dance Theater, under the direction of Loyce Houlton and later BalletArts
Minnesota, under the direction of Bonnie Mathis and Martha Chapman. I have studied various
forms of dance technique, body conditioning, composition, improvisation and performance
techniques throughout my life at many celebrated dance festivals and schools across the
country including; Bates Dance Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, ADF, North Carolina School of the Arts,
Perpich Center for Arts Education, Zenon Dance Center, Velocity Dance Center, Creative Dance Center, University of
Minnesota and Cornish College of the Arts, where I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree
in Dance in 2000. I have studied under many amazing dance icons such as; Daniel Nagrin, Ralph
Lemon, David Dorfman, Stuart Hoades, Anne Greene Gilbert, Mark Dendy, Elizabeth Keen and Erik Franklin.
I am inspired by many...
I have been performing in the field of dance for over 25 years. I have experienced everything
from the many versions of the classical Nutcracker Fantasy, to being nude on stage.
I have tested audiences through some site specific modern dance and dance on film- to dancing in a rock music
video... and many other artistic in-betweens throughout hundreds, seemingly thousands of performance experiences.
I am known to bring many other projects into the mix such as; locust (2000-2010), Scott/Powell Performance (2000-2010), AMYO/tiny rage, SOM performance, the 3 Yells, Dead Bird Movement, Karn Junkensmith with Lynn Shelton, Corrie Befort and Dayna Hansen- live performance, as well as film work. In 2006, I had the pleasure of working with choreographer, Mark Haim on his celebrated “Goldberg Variations” @ On the Boards in Seattle. I have created work for many solo artists as well as dance and theater companies including; Seattle Dance Project, Kaleidoscope Dance Company and Washington Ensemble Theater. I have taught classes @ the University of Washington & with the Gear Up program, both through the dance department, Cornish College of the Arts & in the Cornish Prep Department, Perpich Center for Arts Education and in the studios of Pacific Northwest Ballet-as part of Seattle Theater Group's DANCE This summer program for youth ('09, '10 & '11), as well as in Port Townsend at the DANCE This Summer Camp ('11).
photo Chase Jarvis
I am currently teaching Ballet & Modern technique to young adults and beyond @ Velocity Dance Center (since '02) and Contemporary styles, including Hip Hop to middle school and high school students @ the Northwest School (since '06).
I was honored with a "Spotlight Award" from Seattle Magazine.
I am featured as a "cultural leader" in a recent book entitled Seattle 100 by photographer Chase Jarvis.
I have received funding from 
"Sandstrom was fierce long before Project Runway took the fangs out of the word"
Sandra Kurtz/Seattle Weekly
contact me for a complete resume
recent choreographic work
Velocity Dance Center/Fall Kick Off
"For One"
2011
Seattle Dance Project
"Al Poco Tiempo"
2011
On the Boards/A.W.A.R.D. show!
"The Decline"
2011
Velocity Dance Center/NEXTFEST NW
"The Decline"
2010
Velocity Dance Center/Strictly Seattle Festival
"99"
2010
Washington Ensemble Theater
"RoboPop!"
2010
Creative Dance Center/Kaleidoscope Dance Company
"Motion"
2010
Cornish College of the Arts/BFA Performance series
"With This Space/As Memories Unfold"
2010
On the Boards/Northwest New Works Festival
"the arival/RISE"
2009
Velocity Dance Center/Strictly Seattle Festival
“binary/contusion”
2008
Perpich Center for Arts Education
“7th section/PULSE”
2008
Cornish College of the Arts/BFA Performance series
“little bit of plenty”
2008
Northwest Dance Syndrome
“move me/you move me”
2007
"Sandstrom swings like a big band on its last set"
Jim Demetre/ARTDISH
