Discover the legacy of Lydia Abarca Mitchell, founding ballerina of Dance Theatre of Harlem. A trailblazer who paved the way for Black ballerinas today.
Saturday, September 20, 2025: Celebrate National Dance Day in the Classroom and Studio
National Dance Day 2025 is Saturday, September 20. Discover its history, meaning, and creative ways to celebrate in the classroom or dance studio.
What the Kennedy Center Dance Shake-Up Means for the Future of the Arts
The Kennedy Center is facing mounting turbulence. The recent departures of its Director of Dance, Jane Raleigh, and two full-time dance programming staffers mark a critical shift, but dance as an art form isn’t being wiped out. Under newly installed leadership, programming maybe shifting toward a more commercial, So You Think You Can Dance‑style direction. …
Jacob’s Pillow Cancels 2025 Season Following Fatal Workplace Accident
Becket, Mass. — Jacob’s Pillow, one of the most iconic and historically significant dance centers in the United States, has announced the cancellation of the remainder of its 2025 season following a fatal workplace accident. The decision halts performances at the famed festival’s indoor and outdoor stages, a blow to the international dance community and …
5 Trailblazing Black Dance Companies (Other Than Alvin Ailey) You Should Know About
When most people think of Black dance in America, the name Alvin Ailey often rises to the top and rightfully so. Ailey’s work created a legacy that brought African American stories to the concert dance stage in a way that hadn’t been done before. His company opened doors. But as a Black dancer and educator …
Dancing Through the Divide: What Public School Dance Programs and Private Studios Can Learn From Each Other
I still remember the moment the difference hit me. I had just finished teaching a third-grade dance class at a public elementary school. We were exploring storytelling through movement, and one student who had never taken a dance class before used stomps and claps to show the sound of thunder in her routine. That same …
The Role of Art in Social Change: How Dance Moves Movements
The Role of Art in Social Change: How Dance Moves Movements When I think about the power of dance, I don’t just think about technique or performance. I think about history. I think about identity. I think about how movement has always been a voice, especially when words have fallen short or been ignored. For …
With Misty Copeland Announcing Her Retirement, Here Are 9 Black Ballerinas You Should Know
When I first heard the news that Misty Copeland was retiring, I had to sit with it for a moment. Misty isn’t just a ballerina to me, she’s a symbol of what’s possible. For years, I watched her redefine ballet on her own terms, pushing past gatekeepers and barriers that weren’t designed with her in …
Misty Copeland Announces Retirement: A Farewell to the Prima Who Changed the Game
It’s the end of an era, and what a powerful, graceful, and unapologetically bold era it’s been. On October 22, 2025, Misty Copeland will take her final bow with American Ballet Theatre at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City. The Fall Gala marks not just the end of her time as a …
Ballet Terminology Scavenger Hunt: A Fun Summer Camp Activity
When you think of teaching ballet terminology, you might picture students lined up at the barre, carefully repeating each word after the teacher. But in a summer dance camp setting, there’s room to mix things up. One of my favorite ways to reinforce ballet terms while keeping students engaged and moving is with a Ballet …
