National Dance Association

National Dance Association
Established	1932
President	Marcey Siegel
Location	Reston, VA, USA
Affiliations	American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
Website	National Dance Association

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 and Vision

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.^{[citation needed]}

Vision Statement

The National Dance Association envisions a society where dance and dance education are an integral part of education and community life.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

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 Elect
Mary Anne Laverty

Del Mar University, retired

Univ. of Guam, emeritus

Vice President, Education Elect
 Debra Knapp
 New Mexico State University

California State University San Bernardino

Austin Peay State University

Vice President Science & Somatics -Elect
Susan Mayes
University of Arkansas-Fayetteville

Nu Delta Alpha Chair
Karen Lynn Smith
Washington College

Annual Awards

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

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

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

Related Organizations

• National Dance Education Organization

See also

• AAHPERD
• Physical Education
• Dance