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Rachel DeForrest Repinz, MFA, PhD ABD is a visually impaired dance artist-scholar based in NYC. She received a BA and MFA in Dance from SUNY Buffalo State University and Temple University, respectively, and is a PhD in Dance candidate at Texas Woman’s University researching the presence of blindness in contemporary dance. Rachel founded and directs RACHEL:dancers, a multi-medium/multi-modal dance performance company, and co-directs Bashi Arts, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with Enya-Kalia Jordan. Her creative work is rooted in the postmodern tradition and disability aesthetic lineages, exploring experimental approaches to audio description, improvisational time-based performance practices, multi-sensory installation, and destabilizing ocularcentrism in dance performance and practice. Rachel serves as the Advisor of Dance and Disability for NDEO, and was awarded as a Dance/NYC ‘Disability. Dance. Artistry.’ Dance and Social Justice Fellow (2023). She is on faculty in the Dance Department at Temple University, is the Program Manager for the Hunter College Dance Education programs, and serves as a Staff Writer and Editorial Board member for thINKingDANCE. Rachel’s work has been presented nationally and internationally. Some favorite venues include Movement Research at Judson Church (2025), La MaMa Experimental Theater (2024), and Dixon Place (2024).
In my first term as the NDEO Advisor of Dance & Disability from 2023-2026, I was honored to work closely and collaboratively with the Dance & Disability Committee, Board of Directors, Advisory Council, NDEO staff, and fellow members to create and grow programs that reflect and respond to the diversity and needs of our Disabled and non-Disabled members alike. In this work, I believe that collaboration across these communities is key to achieving our common goal of creating accessible dance education programs that serve the needs of the diverse dance educators who comprise our dance education community and NDEO membership.
During my current term, I have led and supported several key projects and events that reflect both my commitment to service and my experience with the nitty-gritty logistics of project management. I co-organized two full-day Dance & Disability Virtual Summits (2024 and 2026), working closely with the Committee to develop programming, coordinate presenters, develop themes, create calls for proposals, and manage logistics. I also worked with the Committee to support a series of disability-focused webinars with Disabled guest educators from across the nation. Each of these programs was directly shaped by feedback from NDEO members, and focused on practical topics such as implementing Disability Justice in the dance classroom (check out Vanessa Hernandez Cruz’s webinar “Disability Justice in Dance Education” from 2025!). These efforts have created meaningful opportunities for professional development, dialogue, and community-building for our NDEO membership, and have built a strong network of relationships with Disabled master dance educators from across the country.
As I seek a second term, my vision is to continue deepening this work by expanding these programs, and continuing to work with the NDEO Board, Advisory Council, and staff to embed accessibility more holistically across all aspects of NDEO’s programming. I envision future expansion in mentorship programs for/with Disabled dance students and educators, launching a living webpage with disability dance resources for our NDEO community, and continuing to build on our successful programs, including Dance & Disability community meet-ups, disability affinity group meetings, and other opportunities for our community to connect.
Practically, I will continue to advocate for accessibility practices across NDEO events and platforms, such as consistent offering of ASL/(B)ASL interpretation, strengthened access to virtual and hybrid programs, sensory-friendly events, and ongoing improvements to digital accessibility. I also look forward to continuing to work with NDEO staff on building the Dance & Disability webpage on NDEO’s site to serve as a resource hub and a living directory connecting Disabled dance educators across the country.
Overall, I am excited by, and deeply proud of, what we have accomplished thus far, both during my first term and during the years of work and labor by my Disabled and non-Disabled colleagues that preceded this. I am immeasurably thankful for the foundation these colleagues have laid, and for the ongoing work of the Committee and NDEO community. I am excited for the work that lies ahead. I would be honored to continue serving as the NDEO Advisor of Dance & Disability for a second term.