National Dance Association
Encyclopedia
The National Dance Association (NDA), headquartered in Reston, VA, is an association within the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
(AAHPERD). The oldest of dance education organizations, NDA develops programs, publishes books and materials and sponsors professional development conferences for dance educators in a broad range of disciplines.
Early Childhood
Elementary
Secondary
College/University
Private Studios/ Schools
Dance Medicine & Science
Dance Technology
Curriculum Development
Publications Development
Dance Performance
Dance for the Differently Abled
Advocacy and Public Relations
It is designed for dance education students, dance educators, and professional dancers to express their devotion to the art form by sharing, recognizing, and promoting dance education within schools and communities. Nu Delta Alpha chapters are designated for middle through high school, college through professional levels, private studios, and preparatory and home schools. Affiliation with Nu Delta Alpha provides students and professionals with the opportunity to advocate for dance education.
The first Heritage Award was presented in 1953.
Heritage Award Winners
• A scholarly record as evidenced by publications, presentations and other creative works including choreography extending over ten (10) years.
• Currently producing scholarly materials or other creative works.
• Document in-depth study of dance.
• Capable of communicating ideas and knowledge to selected arts groups as well as to groups in the Alliance disciplines
The first NDA Scholar was selected in 1977. The designation of Scholar was changed in 1995 to include "Artist" in the title; whereas, the first NDA Scholar/Artist was named in 1996.
Dance Scholar/Artists
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
The ', previously known as the Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, is an organization proving support to professionals specializing in Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.Mission...
(AAHPERD). The oldest of dance education organizations, NDA develops programs, publishes books and materials and sponsors professional development conferences for dance educators in a broad range of disciplines.
History
The National Dance Association was originally established in 1932 as the section on Dance by the American Physical Education Association (APEA), a forerunner to the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (AAHPER). It was elevated to Divisional status in 1965 and nine years later became an association within the newly renamed American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.Mission statement
The National Dance Association leads in promoting and supporting creative, artistic and healthy lifestyles through quality services and programs in dance and dance education.Vision Statement
The National Dance Association envisions a society where dance and dance education are an integral part of education and community life.Areas of Interest
The National Dance Association develops programs, publishes books and materials and sponsors professional development conferences for dance educators in a broad range of disciplines.Constituencies Served
NDA serves dance educators in the following areas:Early Childhood
Elementary
Secondary
College/University
Private Studios/ Schools
Dance Medicine & Science
Dance Technology
Curriculum Development
Publications Development
Dance Performance
Dance for the Differently Abled
Advocacy and Public Relations
Teacher/Dance Educator Enhancement
NDA promotes dance professionalism through continuing education credits in workshops and conventions held at national, district and state levels. Publications include NDA's landmark document, the National Standards for Dance Education, Opportunity- to- Learn Standards for Dance and Anne Green Gilbert's Creative Dance for All Ages.Lobbying and Advocacy
NDA supports legislature, which enhances dance education opportunities for all ages and abilities.Dance Science and Somatics
NDA is at the forefront supporting efforts to integrate technology within the arts through such conferences as Dancing with the Mouse. NDA supports healthy lifestyles through its publications Dance Movement Therapy and Preventing Dance Injuries.Collaboration
NDA supports collaboration with other Alliance structures and external partnerships to promote dance on a National level. Some of these external partnerships include collaborations with Dance and the Child International (DACI), UNITY, Arts Education Partnership (AEP), the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, VSA Arts and Callerlab.National Impact
NDA is a strong advocate at the national level for promoting arts education and has established nationally recognized standards for dance education at all developmental levels.National Dance Standards
The National Dance Standards were developed by the National Dance Association in 1994 as part of the National Standards for Arts Education developed by the Consortium of National Arts Education Associations and prepared under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities (Copyright ©1994, 2nd printing 1996. All rights reserved). They serve as the guiding principles for defining dance competencies at each of the developmental levels of dance students (K-4, 5-8, 9-12, College).Nu Delta Alpha
Nu Delta Alpha is the Premiere Honor Society recognizing Students and Professionals for High Achievements in Dance.It is designed for dance education students, dance educators, and professional dancers to express their devotion to the art form by sharing, recognizing, and promoting dance education within schools and communities. Nu Delta Alpha chapters are designated for middle through high school, college through professional levels, private studios, and preparatory and home schools. Affiliation with Nu Delta Alpha provides students and professionals with the opportunity to advocate for dance education.
Officers
NDA is governed by a Board of Directors.| President | Marcey Siegel | Manor Hill School |
| Past President | Nancy Kane, Ph.D | SUNY College at Cortland ty |
| President-elect | Gladys Keeton | Texas Woman's University |
| Representative, Board of Governors | Fran Meyer, Ph.D | Educational Consultant |
| Vice President, Education | Freddie Thompson-Esters | Hollywood High School |
| Vice President, Performance | Willys Ann Gaines | Willys Gaines Dance Theatre |
| Vice President, Performance-elect | Sharon Rae | Sharon Rae Dance |
| Vice President, Science & Somatics | Leslie Walden, Ed.D | Illinois State University |
| Director, State/District | Marian Simpson | Wayne State College (Retired) |
| Director, Publications | Sandy Weeks, Ph.D | Texas A&M University-Commerce |
| Parliamentarian | Joanne Lunt, Ed.D. | Winthrop University |
Heritage Award
The Heritage Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contribution of national or international significance to dance in the following categories: Teaching excellence; Establishment or administration of a functioning dance department, center or program; Research or publication; Consulting; Choreography; Performance; Notation; or Related Arts.The first Heritage Award was presented in 1953.
Heritage Award Winners
| 2009 - Lee Wakefield, Linda Wakefield |
| 2008 - Mary Jane Wolbers |
| 2007 - Earlynn J. Miller |
| 2006 - Joan Woodbury |
| 2005 - Gus Giordano Gus Giordano Gus Giordano was an American jazz dancer. He was a performer on and off Broadway, in television, film and stage, and he is a master teacher, a gifted choreographer, founder of his company , creator of the Jazz Dance World Congress and the author of Anthology of American Jazz Dance, the first book... |
| 2004 - Donald McKayle Donald McKayle Donald McKayle is an African American modern dancer, choreographer, teacher, director and writer best known for creating socially conscious concert works during the 1950s and 60s that focus on expressing the human condition and more specifically, the black experience in America... |
| 2003 - Ruth Solomon |
| 2002 - Connie Jo Hepworth-Woolston |
| 2001 - Nelda Guererro Drury |
| 2000 - Mary Maitland Kimball |
| 1999 - Kathryn G Ellis |
| 1998 - Mary Bee Jensen |
| 1997 - Kathleen Kinderfather |
| 1996 - Margie R Hanson |
| 1995 - Alma Hawkins |
| 1994 - Jeanette Hypes |
| 1993 - Jean Erdman Jean Erdman Jean Erdman is a dancer and choreographer of modern dance as well as an avant-garde theater director.-Early years:Erdman was born on February 20, 1916 in Honolulu, Hawaii... |
| 1992 - Betty Toman |
| 1991 - Bella Lewitsky Bella Lewitzky Bella Lewitzky was a modern dance choreographer and noted teacher.... , Margaret Small Mains |
| 1990 - Charlotte York Irey |
| 1989 - Rose L Strasser |
| 1988 - Michael Herman, Mary Ann Herman |
| 1987 - Lois Ellfeldt |
| 1986 - Evelyn Lockman |
| 1985 - Aileene Lockhart |
| 1984 - Miriam Lidster |
| 1983 - Peter Wisher |
| 1982 - Mary Ella Montague |
| 1980 - Dudley Ashton |
| 1979 - Gladys Andrews Fleming |
| 1978 - M. Francis Dougherty |
| 1977 - Elizabeth R Hayes |
| 1976 - Hanya Holm Hanya Holm Hanya Holm is known as one of the “Big Four” founders of American modern dance... |
| 1975 - Miriam Gray |
| 1974 - Marian VanTuyl |
| 1973 - Gertrude Lippincott |
| 1972 - Vyts Beliajus Vytautas Beliajus Vytautas Finadar Beliajus is considered the father of international folk dancing in the United States. He specialized in Lithuanian dance, but performed and taught many other types of dance as well... |
| 1971 - Katherine Dunham Katherine Dunham Katherine Mary Dunham was an American dancer, choreographer, songwriter, author, educator, and activist... |
| 1970 - Charles Weidman Charles Weidman Charles Weidman is a renowned choreographer, modern dancer and teacher. He is well known as one of the pioneers of Modern Dance in America. He wanted to break free from the traditional movements of dance forms popular at the time to create a uniquely American style of movement... |
| 1969 - Ruth L. Murray Ruth Murray Ruth Lovell Murray was a pioneer in the field of dance education.-Early life and education:Ruth L. Murray was born on October 20, 1900, in Detroit, Michigan. She attended Columbia University and graduated with a bachelor's of science in 1925... |
| 1968 - Lucille Czardorns |
| 1967 - John Martin John Martin (dance critic) John Martin became America’s first major dance critic in 1927. Focusing his efforts on propelling the modern dance movement, he greatly influenced the careers of dancers such as Martha Graham... |
| 1966 - Martha Hill Davis |
| 1965 - Ted Shawn Ted Shawn Ted Shawn , originally Edwin Myers Shawn, was one of the first notable male pioneers of American modern dance. Along with creating Denishawn with former wife Ruth St. Denis he is also responsible for the creation of the well known all-male company Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers... |
| 1964 - Louis Horst Louis Horst Louis Horst was a choreographer, composer, and pianist... |
| 1963 - Margaret H'Doubler Margaret H'Doubler Margaret Newell H’Doubler created the first dance major at the University of Wisconsin. Her dance pedagogy was a blend of expressing emotions and scientific description... |
Scholar/Artist
The NDA Scholar/Artist is selected by the NDA Research Committee. The awardee serves for one year beginning at the AAHPERD National Convention at which he/she delivers the NDA Scholar/Artist Lecture. The NDA Scholar/Artist is chosen by the following criteria:• A scholarly record as evidenced by publications, presentations and other creative works including choreography extending over ten (10) years.
• Currently producing scholarly materials or other creative works.
• Document in-depth study of dance.
• Capable of communicating ideas and knowledge to selected arts groups as well as to groups in the Alliance disciplines
The first NDA Scholar was selected in 1977. The designation of Scholar was changed in 1995 to include "Artist" in the title; whereas, the first NDA Scholar/Artist was named in 1996.
Dance Scholar/Artists
| 2013 - | 2012 - | 2011 - | 2010 - Gayle Kassing |
| 2009 - Marita Cardinal | 2008 - Wendy Oliver | 2007 - Theresa Purcell Cone | 2006 - Paulette Côté |
| 2005 - Anne Green Gilbert | 2004 - Nancy Brooks Schmitz | 2003 - Janice LaPointe-Crump | 2002 - James W. Penrod |
| 2001 - Rayma K. Beal | 2000 - Lynnette Y. Overby | 1999 - Sandra Minton | 1998 - Billie Lepczyk |
| 1997 - Bill Evans | 1996 - Shirley Ririe | 1995 - Penelope Hanstein | 1994 - Susan W. Stinson |
| 1993 - Judith Gray | 1992 - Ruth Solomon | 1991 - Janice Gudde Plastino | 1990 - Edrie Ferdun |
| 1989 - Sarah Chapman Hilsendager | 1988 - Earlynn Miller | 1987 - Mary Ella Montague | 1986 - Aileene S. Lockhart |
| 1985 - Mary Alice Brennan | 1984 - Lois Ellfeldt | 1983 - Charlotte York Irey | 1982 - M. Frances Dougherty |
| 1981 - Araminta Little | 1980 - Ruth L. Murray | 1979 - Miriam Gray | 1978 - Elizabeth R. Hayes |
External links
- National Dance Association
- American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance AAHPERD
- Southern District AAHPERD
- Central District AAHPERD
- Eastern District AAHPERD
- Midwest District AAHPERD
- Northwest District AAHPERD
- Southwest District AAHPERD
- Nu Delta Alpha Dance Education Honor Society