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These webinars offer the opportunity for dance educators to learn from leading experts in a range of topics. Panelists offer best practices, tips, and strategies related to the webinar topic. Webinars are typically an hour long and FREE, available to Members and Non-Members. You can click the links below to view the collection of your choice. You can also learn more about the webinars in each collection below and their original air date.
Learn More About Upcoming Webinars
Collage-Based Approaches to Creating Original Youth Dance Theater
Margo Ruark - Originally Aired on 05/26/2026
The collage approach provides practical solutions for integrating dancers across varied ages, abilities, and skill levels into collaborative projects by bringing diverse movement, music, and theatrical elements together into a cohesive whole.
This webinar introduces a hybrid pedagogical framework for creating original youth dance theater grounded in literary, historical, and thematic source material. Participants learn how to transform foundational structures found in classic literature, popular culture, or dance history into original, age-appropriate productions that honor artistic intent without licensing constraints or advanced technical requirements. The session walks through a 12-month production cycle including source study, theme extraction, motif development, choreography integration, rehearsal systems for mixed-level ensembles, and ethical adaptation.
Why this matters: As dance educators face increasing pressure to produce meaningful, inclusive work with limited time, resources, and access to licensed material, collage-based approaches offer an ethical, flexible, and artistically rigorous pathway for creating youth dance theater that authentically reflects the students and communities being served.
Case studies include An Urban Christmas Carol, Wednesday Addams – The Ballet, and Dancing the New Peace Story. Attendees leave with practical tools for curriculum integration, community relevance, ensemble-centered casting, and a replicable model for creating dance within real-world educational constraints.
In addition to her work in youth dance theater, Margo draws on formative influences from educators and artists in other sectors. Notably, the 2019 production of Dancing the New Peace Story was developed in collaboration with The Peace School, a Chicago-based organization best known for its annual Peace Day celebration at Daley Plaza in cooperation with the United Nations. This collaboration confirmed Margo’s collage-based approach to translating complex social themes into developmentally appropriate, ensemble-centered performance experiences for young dancers.
Margo’s work is also informed by her residency at Copenhagen’s Black Horse Theater, where she worked under the artistic direction of Brigitte Kolerus, a protégé of Nobel Prize–winning playwright Dario Fo. During this period, Margo was immersed in European experimental collage traditions emphasizing physical theater, symbolic structure, and ensemble-driven creation. These approaches continue to shape her pedagogical and choreographic work in youth dance theater.
Working with Consent, Boundaries, and Needs in the Dance Studio
Nicole Perry - Originally Aired on 04/27/2026
How do we, as dance educators, facilitate conversations around consent, boundaries, and needs in the dance studio that honor the bodily autonomy of dancers AND encourage creative risk-taking?
Join Intimacy Direction in Dance co-founder, and author of Care-full Creativity in Theatre and Dance Education: Consent-Forward, Trauma-Informed, Psychologically Safe Movement Pedagogy, Nicole Perry for practical tools and conversations around consent (which goes far beyond touch) and creativity. Nicole is an award-winning intimacy professional and choreographer, as well as a dance and movement educator, passionate about supporting other teachers as they create their own pedagogies of care. This webinar offers a practical tool to help students as discomfort v. unsafe, a template for boundary conversations, and a discussion on when an Intimacy Professional can support the creative process in a way that benefits both the dancers and the choreographer.
To view descriptions and recordings of all 2025 webinars, please click on the arrow to the right of the Webinar title. Thank you to all our presenters for their time and effort in sharing their expertise with the NDEO community. Webinars a free resource for both NDEO members and Non-Members.
This webinar was presented live on March 24, 2025 by Tosha Brown and Susan Pope
Webinar Description:
This webinar was presented live on March 31, 2025 by Amy Miller
'Conflict Regulation' supports shared language generation for navigating conflict within ourselves and with others. Within a harm reduction model, we synthesize flow state techniques, conflict resolution, de-escalation and leadership practices, to offer concise tools to reveal the 'understories' of conflict inside of us and around us. This awareness can lead to a greater appreciation of the ongoing processes involved in 'regulating' conflict, over simply valuing the resolution of symptoms with quick fixes. Participants can pass these techniques on to students, faculty and family members by modeling and intentionally co-creating frameworks to reference, normalize and legitimize ‘conflict regulation’ moving forward.
This webinar was presented live on April 9, 2025 by Vanessa Cruz
Join us for an insightful webinar that delves into the 10 Principles of Disability Justice, unpacking their significance as a framework for equity and inclusion. We’ll discuss actionable strategies to embed these principles into dance education, focusing on how educators can reimagine their classrooms as spaces of accessibility and belonging. Whether you’re a teacher, choreographer, or advocate, this session will equip you with tools to dismantle barriers, center Disabled voices, and foster a dance environment where every body thrives.
Key takeaways:
Transform your practice—let’s redefine what it means to make dance truly accessible.
This webinar was presented live on April 25, 2025 by Amber Hongsermeier
In this session, we will explore the neurodivergent dancer through an informed and lived experience, fostering a sense of inclusivity and community. By delving into the neuroscience of neurodivergence, we will uncover the unique ways in which the neurodivergent brain differs from neurotypical standards, and how this manifests in behavior and socialization. Our focus on neurodiversity as a movement and philosophy, and the redefinition of key vocabulary, will provide a framework for understanding disability justice and adopting anti-ableist ways of speaking about neurodivergence, ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and part of a supportive dance community. Additionally, we will explore how somatic approaches to dance education can provide avenues for nervous system relaxation and processing difficulties, further enhancing the inclusivity of this session.
This webinar was presented live on May 14, 2025 by Alyssa Caliendo
This webinar will cover an in depth look at how the body functions through fascial lines and how to teach dance teachers how to teach their students how to load their bodies to decrease injuries! The current protocol for dancers includes pilates however, much more information is needed in order for dancers to know how to take care of themselves from a strength perspective. As a collegiate dancer who struggled with injuries, this information will begin to close the gap in education in order to help dancers increase their physical capacity, decrease injury, increase somatic awareness, increase strength and increase flexibility. This workshop will include a learning portion and a practical portion to cater to both types of learning styles!
This webinar was presented live on June 19, 2025 by Jill Vasbinder Morrison
Open Educational Resources provide inclusive, accessible tools & materials to all kinds of educators in all sectors of dance education. In this webinar dance educators will learn how to find these valuable resources to aid in their instruction, reduce the costs of materials for themselves and their students, as well as, provide access to inclusive and accessibly created materials. We will discuss how to use and resources with Creative Commons licenses as well as how to apply them to our own work. Participants will learn how to create and publish their own materials and be given the resources to support the editing, review and promotional process in creating these materials. Publishing OER not only provides valuable evidence of research to those seeking promotion, but launches creators into a community of like-minded educators & scholars for future work and support.
This webinar was presented live on July 10, 2025
This webinar will empower dance teachers with the knowledge and tools to create a welcoming environment where dancers can thrive. We’ll address key aspects of gender inclusivity in school dance programs, including practical approaches to navigating locker room policies, costume options, and traditional dance roles. Together, we’ll explore strategies for breaking down exclusionary norms, promoting equity, and fostering a culture of respect and understanding.The session will provide a framework for creating spaces where students feel safe to express themselves authentically. We’ll dive into case studies and open up for questions to address specific questions. We’ll tackle both student safety concerns and workplace considerations, ensuring you leave with actionable insights to make meaningful changes in your dance programs. Let’s create a more equitable future for dance education—together.
This webinar was presented live on August 20, 2025
A screening and discussion of American modern dance history/techniques. This session will consist of: A short introduction to the film (5 minutes), To Feel the Earth and Touch the Sky, Living the Legacy of American Modern Dance. The film itself, (26 minutes and 46 seconds). The film is now streaming on the PBS app so it is readily available to all teachers. A discussion afterwards (10 minutes) on the following questions:
A conclusion of ideas discussed (5 minutes).
Originally Aired on: Monday June 10th, 2024 Presented by: John Barrella
Originally Aired on: Tuesday May 14, 2024 5:00pm - 6:00pm Presented by: Nicole Perry
Originally Aired on: Monday March 25, 2024 12:30pm - 1:30pm Presented by: Katrina Toews and Cathy Noble-Hornsby
Originally Aired: Monday, 2024 7:00pm - 8:00pm ET - Presented by Yoav Kaddar, Keegan Scott and Susan Bauer
Originally Aired: Tuesday January 9, 2024 3:30pm - 4:30pm ET - Presenter by Michelle Loucadoux and Kristen Deiss
This webinar will discuss the current state of mental health in dance community and will offer science-backed tips for how to implement mental health and wellness practices into dance education. We will discuss different types of mental health challenges specific to the dance population, difficulties educators experience in guiding dancers through their education, and some exercises to better help dancers cope with dance-related stressors and recognize the importance of mental health in their dance journeys.
Monday August 21, 2023 from 4 - 5 pm EST - Presented By: Bob Morrison
Originally Aired: Monday July 24th from 7:30-8:30pm ET
In this session, participants will learn how to use educational technology to enhance their teaching and learning experiences in the dance classroom. During this webinar, the participants will explore the benefits of incorporating technology in dance education and learn practical tips and strategies to seamlessly integrate technology into dance lessons. Participants will discover or rediscover various technologies that can support collaborative learning experiences, assessments and more. Whether the participant is a dance educator looking to upgrade their teaching methods or a dance student interested in leveraging technology to elevate their learning experience, this webinar has a space for everyone
Presented by Tanajarae Porter
Originally Aired: Tuesday, June 20th from 7:30pm-8:30 ET
In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, collaboration has become an essential skill that students need to succeed. This is particularly true in dance programs where collaboration is integral. In this webinar, we will explore how K12 dance programs can foster collaboration among their students as well in their community while also teaching other essential 21st century skills.
We will begin by defining what we mean by collaboration and why it's such an important skill for students to develop. We will then explore how K12 dance programs can create a collaborative classroom environment that encourages students to work together effectively. We will discuss practical strategies for building collaboration skills into dance curriculum and instruction and discover collaborative opportunities within your school and outer community.
Throughout the webinar, we will also examine other 21st century skills that are relevant to dance education, such as creativity, critical thinking, communication, and digital literacy. We will demonstrate how these skills can be integrated with collaboration to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment.
By the end of this webinar, participants will: -Understand the importance of collaboration in K12 dance programs and how it can benefit students' future success -Be able to identify practical strategies for fostering collaboration in the dance classroom and the arts community -Have a greater understanding of how collaboration can be integrated with other 21st century skills to create a dynamic learning environment -Know how to assess and evaluate students' progress in developing collaboration and other 21st century skills
Presented By: Tamara Irving
Originally Aired: Thursday June 1, 2023 6:30-7:30pm ET
The Webinar will present approximately 15 minutes of heretofore unseen footage from the film-in-progress, “Why We Dance”. Originally titled “Why American Men Dance” the full length movie is a collection of excerpted interviews with an intergenerational group of 44 men who have dedicated their lives to dance as performers, choreographers and teachers. Structured as a series of conversations, the artists discuss their early memories of dance, their inspirations, challenges, the support they did or didn’t get and they answer the question, “Why do I dance?” Following the screening of these short clips, we will invite attendees to ask questions of the filmmaker and offer feedback in an interactive Q&A. The question ‘Why do you dance?’ will be posed to participants so that they have the opportunity to share their personal stories and how their stories are relevant when passing on their experience to others whether in the form of teaching, choreographing, or producing.
Originally Aired: Monday May 15, 2023 from 7:30pm-8:30pm ET
In the webinar the following will be covered:
- The meaning of 'Hasta-Mudra' meaning 'Hand Gesture' that is acting through the movement of hand
- How many and what hand gestures are used in Indian classical dance 'Kathak' (story telling form) in a Dance presentation including musical dance theater and acting in dance
- Importance of 'Hasta-Mudra' in Indian Kathak dance
- How using hand gestures relates to Yoga, help in communication, and help reducing stress and anxiety
Originally Aired: Wednesday, May 11, 2023 frmo 7:30pm-8:30pm ET
In this webinar, we will look at various ways that disability culture methods can enhance, supplement and disrupt dance classrooms in productive and enjoyable ways. How can we use score-work and media engagement to re-do notions of presence, in particular when so many students cannot be present all the time in person, have to be online, cannot commit to harsh time regimes, or deal with injury and rest periods? How can we use disability artistry and lineage work to understand how else dance can find its way into the (university and public) world?
Presenter By Petra Kuppers and Elisabeth Motley
Originally Aired: Wednesday, April 19th from 7:00pm-8:00pm ET
This webinar will discuss common lower extremity injuries and injury types, screening techniques for instructors, and corrective exercise techniques to help dancers protect their bodies and perform optimally.
Presented By: Courtney Johnson, AKA Dr. CoJo
Thursday March 30, 2023 4:00-5:00PM ET
This participatory session engages with visionary author and scholar Gloria Anzaldua’s use of nepantla, a concept that will support movement improvisation intended to surface one’s liminal identities (nepantlas). This practice intends to provide a space for participants to (re)identify and (re)affirm a place in the world by using their lived experiences as conduits for movement research and expression.
I am interested in exploring how movement artists can employ hidden facets of themselves in the studio. In this session, we will use freewriting prompts to connect with aspects of ourselves that might feel sensitive. To make space for vulnerability, I will not ask you to share your writing; however, I will invite you to share the movement exploration inspired by it.
This session aims to counter how standardization in dance curriculums may affect students’ ability to authentically and artistically express themselves. While demonstrating one way to access and use our differences, we can share new ways for students to relate to the art form.
Some resources to consider prior to the webinar:
Books:
Light in the Dark/ Luz En Lo Oscuro: Rewriting Identity, Spirituality, Reality by Gloria E. Anzaldúa
Borderlands/ La Frontera by Gloria E. Anzaldúa
Rhetorics of Nepantla, Memory, and the Gloria Evangelina Anzaldúa Papers: Archival Impulses by Diana Isabel Martinez
Film:
Altar: Cruzando Fronteras, Building Bridges by Paolo Zaccaria and Daniele Basilio
Official Gloria E. Anzaldúa website: https://gloriaeanzaldua.com/
Presesnted By: Yebel Gallegos
Originally Aired: 3/15/22
What do we need to know about arts advocacy at this juncture? Starting a new legislative session after an election requires renewed attention on our political leaders and the platforms they support. In addition, we simultaneously need to remain aware of national campaigns for the arts that were developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and relief funds allocated for education. What needs to happen next? Each environment will require slightly different efforts and areas of attention. This webinar will focus on resources to consult to help sustain effective advocacy efforts and projecting needs moving forward.
Presesnted By: Stephanie Milling
Originally Aired: 2/7/2023
Join NDEO for a Black History Month conversation on the life and legacy of African American dancer, choreographer, anthropologist and social activist Katherine Dunham (1909-2006), whose artistry, pedagogy and scholarship are models for embodied cultural affirmation and activism. The panelists will share their rich experiences as Dunham teachers, scholars and performers.
Originally Aired: 1/21/23
Chasta Hamilton decided to remove her dance studios in Raleigh, NC from the competitive dance industry. Based on her experiences as a competitive dancer, teacher/choreographer, adjudicator, and studio owner, she felt there had to be a better way to offer elevated dance education experiences that featured a stronger return on investment and aligned more with her vision to create a humanistic approach for all. In 2020, Chasta published a book Trash the Trophies: How to Win Without Losing Your Soul, which detailed her experience in making this move. This webinar will feature an overview of her experience, experiences that have been shared with her, and how we can collectively consider dance education's potential for positive impact as we cultivate the performers, and leaders, of tomorrow.
These webinars offer the opportunity for dance educators to learn from leading experts in areas related to teaching dance online. Panelists offer best practices, tips, and strategies related to the webinar topic.
Click here to view the Teaching Online collection
Sectors and populations represented include: Private Sector, Higher Education, Dance and Disability, K-12 Schools, and Dance Companies.
Click here to view the Dance Sectors, Ages, & Populations collection
The following workshops and film discussions were hosted NDEO's Dance & Disability Task Force and offered as part of NDEO National Conference. The 2020 webinars were made possible with support from the Theresa Foundation.
Click here to view the Dance and Disability collection
These webinars offer the opportunity for dance educators to learn from leading experts in areas related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. To learn more about NDEO defines Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access and related terms, please see this working document created by our IDEA Committee: IDEA Definitions and Terms.
Click here to view the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access collection
Optional Donation If you have been enjoying all the free webinars in NDEO's Webinar Series, please consider making a donation to our NDEO Works! fund. Your donation will help NDEO remain viable during this challenging time. Thank you for your support of NDEO and all that you do for the field of dance education.