Please Wait a Moment
X

2025 Virtual Summit

Changing Spaces for Gender Inclusive Dance

           March 1, 2025

How to SubmitDownload the full Call for Sessions Here

Deadline to Submit: January 1, 2025

Dance is a vehicle for the communication of ideas, stories, lessons, and aesthetics. It is an artform that reflects life and times. In being a reflection of life and times the creators of dance present their positions, comments, ideas on our world. Where does gender live in these reflections? How does gender live inside the artform? What does the performance of gender in dance communicate to audiences?

In this virtual summit, we open the space to discuss where gender currently lies in dance spaces and reimagine current practices in dance education, class, and performance. Reframing what we expect of our dancers. Redefining how we present roles and policies. Reimagining what performance looks like for the inclusion and acceptance of all dancing bodies.

Many dancers and choreographers may not consider gender at all in their practice. They may only be thinking about the body, the form, the movement aesthetic, shape, phrase, etc. However, for some, the communication and presentation of gender can be very apparent. What is the educator and choreographers role in ensuring this presentation is not harmful? Are we upholding and enforcing outdated concepts of gender expression and performance through our choreography and teaching?

Join us as we consider these questions at the 2025 NDEO Virtual Summit, Changing Spacers for Gender Inclusive Dance

How To Submit

We invite all dance educators to submit applications for panels, paper presentations, movement sessions, and workshops for the 2025 NDEO Virtual Summit. If you need guidance developing your topic, we encourage you to consider the following questions:

  • What is the relationship between gender and dance? 
  • What does dance say about gender? How are gender roles, ideals and stereotypes reinforced onstage and in the dance classroom? In what ways can this be reimagined?
  • What do inclusive practices look like with regard to gender? How can the dance class be a place that champions gender inclusivity? 
  • What is the role of gender in various dance forms? 
  • How can dance educators and leaders be inclusive of gender diversity, while honoring cultural dance traditions and rituals?
  • How can partnering, character roles, and costuming change to be more gender inclusive?
  • How can choreography and performance champion representation and inclusion of all gender identities? 
  • How can we advocate for dancers to freely and authentically express themselves in all aspects of dance? How can current dance policies (in your studio/class/space) be redefined? 
  • How do we manage pushback from families, students, principles, studio directors, colleagues, etc? How do we work around current laws and policies, yet create space for inclusivity?

 

What to Expect

What is a Virtual Summit?

A 1-Day mini-conference packed with live sessions for dance teachers! 

Our Virtual Summit for Dance Educators will feature 10+ live virtual sessions for dance teachers on the topic of Dance and Gender delivered across 5 different session blocks, including movement sessions, panel discussions, and paper presentations on various topics and for different environments. 

Following the success of our Virtual National Dance Education Conferences in 2020 and 2021 and subsequent Virtual Professional Development Days, and in line with our commitment to Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) is excited to continue our Virtual Professional Development (PD) Days for Dance Teachers under a new name, Virtual Summit!

In addition to our annual in-person NDEO Conference, our Virtual Summits are an accessible professional development alternative for those who are not able to attend the in-person NDEO Conferences.

What Is Included?

  • 10+ live virtual sessions for dance teachers delivered across 5 different session blocks, including movement sessions, panel discussions, and paper presentations on various topics concerning Gender and Dance Education.
  • 0.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) earned after attending the full day of sessions.
  • Access to all recorded sessions for 1 month after the event

Accessibility

If you require any accommodations please note this on your registration.

  • All sessions will feature either AI generated Closed Captioning or captioning provided by a CART (communication access real-time translation) specialist.
  • A session in each time slot will feature ASL interpretation.
  • All accessibility measures will be noted on the final schedule.

Registration Coming Soon....

  • Members - $110
  • Non-Members - $175

National Dance Education Organization (NDEO)

8609 Second Ave, Suite #203B
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact Us!