The National Honor Society for Dance Arts
Recognizing Artistic Merit, Leadership,
and Academic Achievement in Dance Students 

Establish a Chapter at your School or Studio Today!

Join over 1,000 chapters throughout the country
to recognize outstanding dance students!
What is the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA)?
The National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) is a program of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO).

The Mission of the NHSDA is to recognize outstanding Artistic Merit, Leadership and Academic Achievement in students studying dance in public and private schools in K-12 education, dance studios, performing arts organizations, and colleges / universities.
 It is one of the most exciting benefits that NDEO offers its Institutional Members. 

By opening a chapter of the Honor Society in your school or dance studio, you are providing recognition & opportunity for your students, creating a recruitment tool to grow your program, and helping to advance the field of dance education centered in the arts.
NHSDA Benefits
Student Benefits

  1. Recognition of their artistic merit, academic achievement, and leadership throughout their educational experience (Junior High - Collegiate) 
  2. Certificates at each level of induction, opportunity to wear the gold Honor Pin and blue and white Honor Cord
  3. Mentorship from Chapter Sponsor and networking with peers
  4. Leadership and development opportunities within their NHSDA Chapter, as they can assist the Chapter Sponsor with Chapter administration, record keeping, fundraising, and event planning
  5. National and State-level scholarship and award opportunities. Check out the 2021 Award Winners!

Institutional Benefits

  1. Establishing an NHSDA Chapter allows you to recognize your outstanding students for their artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement, creating parity with other academic disciplines who sponsor honor societies.
  2. Your school/studio will be listed on the NHSDA website, allowing for additional promotion of your program.
  3. NHSDA can serve as a recruitment tool, attracting students who are familiar with the National Honor Society for Dance Arts as well as those who wish to become a part of this dynamic national organization.
Benefit for the Field of Dance Education

By recognizing outstanding dance students nationwide for their artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement and providing institutions with a way to promote their dance programs, NHSDA helps to advance the field of dance education centered in the arts. 
Chapter Types
How to Get Started

Step 1:

Make sure that you have a current NDEO Institutional Membership. You can join NDEO at www.ndeo.org/membertypes. The cost is $185 a year for dance studios and K-12 schools and $250 a year for colleges.

Step 2:

Read through the Chapter Sponsor Handbook for the appropriate chapter type to learn about the requirements to start a chapter and induct your students. Minimum required induction cost is $8 per student (for sponsor print option) or $12 per student (for NDEO print/mail option). Optional items such as gold honor pins and honor cords are available for an additional fee. Click on the Chapter Type images above to access the Chapter Sponsor Handbooks.

Step 3:

Apply to Start a Chapter by completing the NHSDA Chapter Application. You will need your NDEO Membership ID number in order to complete the NHSDA chapter application.
National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) | 301-585-2880 | www.nhsda-ndeo.org

Main Photo by Kieshalia Stephens - Pink After Glow. Courtesy of Dr. Phillips HS Dance Magnet.