Dance Education Blog

By Cassidy Svercauski, M.S. Dance Educator and Exercise Scientist ~~ tories, fantasy, and imagination are key pillars to the development of creativity in preschool aged children. To foster this innovation and creativity in my young dancers, I often include story time in my preschool age dance classes. Some may ask why I do this- considering it is a dance class- but I believe that taking 5 minutes to read to your dancers every class can help create well rounded, expressive, and educated young dan...

By Jessica Van Valkenburgh RSMT, Registered Somatic Movement Therapist and Director of Therapeutic Programs at FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation ~~ It was a cold day in January when I stood at the ballet barre—sweating, squeezing, and trying to remember the combination en croix of piqués and jetés as my instructor stalked around the room like a lion gazing at a row of gazelles. “Pull up, Jessica. You look like you’re pregnant,” she muttered with disgust. I shifted my body back, trying desp...

By Amber Friel, NAfME Communications Manager, Advocacy and Public Policy ~~ As federal appropriations discussions begin for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY 2027), a critical moment has arrived for arts education advocates across the country. Decisions made in the coming weeks will shape the future of quality, access, and equity in arts education, and your voice is more important than ever...

By Eva Ren, Student at Northfield Mount Hermon School ~~ Ballet is an art form built on discipline, precision, and beauty. For centuries, it has followed a set of unspoken rules that often go unquestioned in the name of tradition. But every time I take my place at the barre in the quiet before class begins, I see a body shaped by years of trying to fit into the expectations that ballet quietly demands. I wonder whether these physical standards are essential to its identity, or are they exclusion...

By Dr. Andrea K. Markus, Ed.D. ~~ Though I have been a lifelong fan of speculative and science fiction, my own journey into Afrofuturism began during my doctoral studies. First as an exploration of literature and data, then as a framework for my teaching practice, artistic expression, and scholarly research, culminating in my dissertation, “(Ubuntu + Sankofa) x Dance: Visions of a Joyful Afrofuturist Dance Education Praxis,” published in May 2024. This proved an arduous journey, one germinatin...

By Ananya Goswami, Kathak Exponent, Artistic Director of Srishti- The Kathak Academy ~~ As dance education continues to expand its scope, educators are increasingly called to design curricula that reflect global perspectives, culturally responsive pedagogy, and embodied ways of knowing. Within this evolving landscape, Kathak, one of India’s major classical dance traditions, offers a comprehensive and rigorous pedagogical framework that meaningfully contributes to contemporary dance education. I...

By Amber Friel, NAfME Communications Manager, Advocacy and Public Policy ~~ After months of intense advocacy and lingering uncertainty, the much-anticipated Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor–HHS–Education appropriations bill has been signed into law, delivering a significant victory for arts education programs nationwide. Last year, the President’s proposed budget sent shockwaves through the education community, calling for a $12 billion cut (more than 15%) to the U.S. Department of Education. Thos...

By Jen O'Neill, Faculty/Artistic Director ~~ I recently celebrated my 25th year teaching dance and movement. I am lucky enough (and healthy enough) to continue the work I love and was meant to do. What impacted me the most celebrating this milestone was the community, belonging, and joy I have built with my dancers over these last two+ decades. This will be my legacy and also the gift to myself I didn’t know I needed...

By Weiselande 'Yanui' César, Educator, Scholar, Executive Founding Director ~~ In these extraordinary times, it's crucial for practitioners and leaders of Haitian folk dance to avoid acting out of desperation and to remain vigilant against divide and conquer tactics. The richness found within the movements of folkloric dance is abundant enough to support our community. This artistic expression empowers everyone by harnessing the holistic healing properties of its core movements, espe...

By Shannon Dooling-Cain, NDEO Special Projects ~~ In 2025, NDEO celebrated 28 years as a steady, guiding force in the field of dance education. We helped steer the field through policy changes, economic uncertainty, political challenges, and a global pandemic. We’ve provided guidance for dance administrators, supported dance educators, and ensured that dance was included in national conversations about the arts and education. NDEO has been the go-to source for dance education research, advocacy...

By Lan Zahou, PhD in Psychology /Dance Education Research Director, Hangzhou Red Little Dance Star/Guest Professor, College of Education, Capital Normal University ~~ What comes to mind when you think of children's dance classes? Standard postures, precise techniques, or flawless performances? For decades, dance education has emphasized technical mastery - and for good reason. Skills matter. But in the pursuit of perfect form, what often gets lost is the child's inner world: their joy, t...

By Rachel Kutner, Group Fitness Instructor, Passionate About the Benefits of Movement for Mental Health ~~ There is something extremely cathartic and transformative about using the body to release stuck energy and emotions. As humans, our life experiences can cause difficult emotions that we often don’t know how to fully process. When we deal with things that are stressful or produce negative emotions, our bodies hold onto those experiences, creating tension, tightness or pain. Through the body...

By Shannon Dooling-Cain, NDEO Special Projects ~~ In this blog series, we will be sharing updates from NDEO members about their work, practices, and accomplishments. These members replied to NDEO’s call for submissions in early 2025. Each month, we plan to share another blog post introducing more members. Five members are featured in this post: Lydia Hance, Heather Acomb, Paola Maria Bassignana, Donna Newman-Bluestein, and Ai Nelson...

By Janaea Rose Lyn, Independent Dance Artist, Author, Educator ~~ As human beings who dance, not dancers who are human beings, understanding ourselves as individuals, learning how to create a shape for our life that works best for us, developing self-care routines that are sustainable, and establishing support systems are all equally essential. At this point in your career, I’m sure you have spent time reflecting on this, but what about your students...

A child’s complete education includes the arts. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 lists the arts and music as part of a "well-rounded education," providing that all arts disciplines (dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual art) are eligible for programmatic support through Title I, Title IV, and other supplemental federal funds available to school districts across the nation. American children deserve a complete education including rigorous, sequential, standards-bas...