NYSDEA
NYSDEA Annual Conference Recap
In case you could not make it this year, below is a brief recap of the early March NYSDEA Annual Conference.
NYSDEA held its annual winter conference, Techniques for Self-Preservation, over the first weekend in March. This 2-day conference included excerpts from Claire Porter's Namely, Muscles; composition workshops focused on anatomy and body awareness; stretching and myofascial release workshops led by the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries; and contemporary and Simonson technique classes.
Participants from New York and New Jersey joined NYSDEA to discuss current research in dance science and learn how to implement new movement strategies and techniques into their dance class for developing safe and healthy movers of all ages. On Sunday, a group session allowed participants to openly discuss and identify resources for their many concerns in dance education, from how to include technology in the classroom, to how to incorporate cultural dance styles for various teaching levels and environments.
NYSDEA would like to thank NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development for hosting the winter conference.
We hope to see you next year!
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Thumbs Up to Barry Blumenfeld for his two terms of outstanding service on the NYSDEA board of directors, and for creating the NYSDEA website!
Barry Blumenfeld, MA, RDE, has been a dance educator for 20 years in a wide range of environments. He has worked as a teaching artist in NYC public schools in residencies ranging from "Math Dance" and "Reading Dance" to teaching children in a mental institution via videophone. He has also taught in private pre-schools and studios. Barry was an adjunct professor at American University, in Washington, DC, where he also taught at-risk youth in a housing project as part of a HUD grant and deaf college students at Galludet University. Barry is currently on the faculty of Dance Education Laboratory and of Friends Seminary School in Manhattan where he has built their dance program over the past 13 years. He is also an adjunct professor at New York University. He holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Dance from American University and is a graduate of Dance Education Laboratory of 92nd Street Y; a certified Level 1 Teacher of Language of Dance®; a certified yoga instructor; and a Registered Dance Educator. Barry has served on the board of directors of the New York State Dance Education Association and is the Artistic Director of TAPFUSION, a dance company combining modern dance and tap.
NYSDEA is a state affiliate of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). When you become a member of NDEO, you automatically become a member of NYSDEA. Checks are made payable to NDEO and a portion is returned to NYSDEA.
We look forward to forging new creative paths in dance and dance education. We thank you in advance for your consideration in joining NYSDEA.
Benefits of membership include:
- Networking for dance educators across the state and nation
- Membership in the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO)
- The Journal of Dance Education, a national peer review publication
- National NDEO Conferences
- NYSDEA Workshops throughout the state
- NYSDEA Website: Information sharing, Dance events and calendar, Program announcements
- National Honor Society for Dance Arts
- A major voice in developing NYS dance policy and curricular issues
Dance educators are defined as, but not delimited to, those teaching or administering dance programs in K-12, higher education, performing arts organizations, private studios and schools of dance, cultural/community centers, etc. It includes dance specialists, teaching artists and choreographers, artists-in-schools, studio teachers, and generalists teaching dance or movement education.
To become a member of NYSDEA, go to the NDEO website at www.ndeo.org/membership.
You can register online and pay by credit card or print an invoice and mail in a check to the NDEO home office. This process automatically registers you as a member of our organization. If you do not have internet access and wish to join our organization, please call 301-585-2880 and your registration can be taken over the phone.
