Greetings!

As we step into the New Year, it's the perfect time for dance educators to set achievable goals that not only reflect our commitment to excellence but also promote professional growth within our community.

Let’s embrace this new chapter with a spirit of collaboration and innovation; after all, we're in this together! NDEO offers a many different professional development opportunities that can help you turn those New Year’s resolutions into reality, enhancing your teaching practices and changing the lives of your students.

Let’s dance into this New Year with enthusiasm and purpose. Read on below about all our current programs, events, and ways to get involved to become an integral part of shaping the future of dance education.

Together, we can make this year the most inspiring yet!

Thank you,



From all of us behind the scenes at NDEO.....

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It's not too late to register for courses beginning Monday, January 26, 2026:

• OPDI - M28: Dance in Communities: Partnerships, Advocacy, and Audience Building
• OPDI - M36: A Survey of Tap Dance Land
• OPDI-107: Creative Dance in Early Childhood
• OPDI-127: Screendance - Create Your Own Short Dance Film

NDEO 2026 National Conference

SYNERGY: Uniting to Progress the Field of Dance Education

Thursday, September 24 - Sunday September 27, 2026

Albuquerque Convention Center Albuquerque, NM

Call for Presenters Now Open!

We invite dance educators in all sectors, genres, and career stages to apply to present sessions centered around this year’s theme: SYNERGY: Uniting to Progress the Field of Dance Education. Share your visions, successes, challenges, and works in progress. In a period of turbulence for our country and our field, we need each other more than ever. Now is the time to join forces and buoy each other up with support and collaboration. Join us as we convene in Albuquerque, New Mexico to progress the field of dance education. Proposals due February 3, 2026.

Plan Ahead!

While registration for conference isn't open just yet, you can start planning your conference travel now by booking your hotel room.

This year there are two hotels to choose from, follow the link below to learn all about the hotel options for Conference 2026.

2026 NHSDA Award Application Closing Soon

Dance students who have been inducted into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) Secondary Program and are current juniors and seniors in High School are eligible for the NHSDA Artistic Merit, Leadership and Academic Achievement Award and Scholarship, the highest student dance award in the nation. Apply by January 30, 2026

2026 NHSDA Award Adjudicators Needed

Assist NDEO and NHSDA, by being a member of the adjudication committee for the NHSDA Artistic Merit, Leadership, and Academic Achievement Award. Apply by January 31, 2026

Registration Now Open!

Creativity in These Times: Dance & Disability

The goal of this conference is to elevate the field of dance and disability, bring joy to all participants, and create pathways to dance performance and education careers for students and teachers with disabilities. Early bird rate available through February 18, 2026.

Nearly 3 decades strong, NDEO is just getting started: 2025 in Review...

In 2025, NDEO celebrated 28 years as a steady, guiding force in the field of dance education. We helped steer the field through policy changes, economic uncertainty, political challenges, and a global pandemic. We’ve provided guidance for dance administrators, supported dance educators, and ensured that dance was included in national conversations about the arts and education. NDEO has been the go-to source for dance education research, advocacy, and professional development for nearly 3 decades - and we’re just getting started...

"What Are We Leaving in 2025 - New Years Goals"

Save the date for our first quarter Community Meet-Ups and join fellow dance educators from your sector to talk about what you're leaving in 2025 and any goals you may have for yourself or your program in 2026. More information coming soon!

• K-12: 2/12 at 7:30pm ET
• Dance and Disability: 2/17 at 7:00pm ET
• Private Studios: 2/24 at 1:00pm ET
• Higher Education: 3/12 at 4:00pm ET
• Early Childhood: 3/24 at 5:00pm ET

Ray Schwartz stepped into the role of NDEO’s next Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer on December 1, 2025

"It is both a deep honor and a profound responsibility to join NDEO at this moment of growth and opportunity, and I look forward to all that we will create together."

Honor Sue McGreevy-Nichol's with a Donation to the Living Legacy Fund

NDEO's 2nd ever Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Susan McGreevy-Nichols (Sue), retired on June 30, 2025, after 13 years of service.

Post on the NDEO Events Board

Members can login to their Member Dashboard / Events to post an event for free -- we offer a 30-day or 60-day listings. Non-members can also post an event for a fee.

Post on the NDEO Jobs Board

NDEO Members can login to their Member Dashboard / Jobs module to post a job or internship for free -- we offer a 30-day or 60-day listings.  Non-Members can also purchase a Jobs Board listing for a fee.

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