NATIONAL DANCE WEEK© HISTORY

The Coalition for National Dance Week was formed in 1981 by a group of dance related organizations who began a strong "grass roots" movement across the United States to bring greater recognition to dance as an art form. Through the years, the basic premise was strongly maintained and kept alive through the combined efforts of Alfred Terlizzi of Capezio/Ballet Makers Inc.®; Bob Stern of Dance Magazine; Susan Wershing of Dance Teacher Now magazine; Tighe King of Tighe Industries/Curtain Call Costumes; and Susan Epstein, formerly of Taffy's, Capezio/Ballet Makers Inc. and Curtain Call Costumes.

In 1991, the United Dance Merchants of America made a commitment to National Dance Week as a part of the UDMA campaign to actively encourage the growth of Dance in America. In 1994, Marianne Prinkey, Executive Vice President of Star Styled Dancing Supplies and a former president of UDMA, agreed to assume the role of National Chairperson for a formalized National Dance Week Committee. Gathering together an impressive Steering Committee, Ms Prinkey took the NDW movement quickly into a new realm of recognition and has led the NDW force forward with a strong growth in nationwide recognition. In 1999, on the recommendation of Ms Prinkey, Patricia Goulding, became the NDW Business Manager and, in 2001, was named the Executive Director of NDW. She has continued in this role under the Chairmanship of Michael Terlizzi from Capezio Inc. for the 2001 celebration and, since 2002, under the leadership of National Honorary Chairperson, Nancy Stone, from Danceamerica and International Dance Challenge.

The "grass root" aspect of NDW continues to the present and is, in fact, largely the reason for the tremendous growth the annual celebration has seen over the years. A volunteer work force is made up of NDW delegates from all facets of the dance world. Events number in the thousands during the ten day annual celebration from Kickoff events in major cities to local showcases at small town malls. The vast assortment of events and activities vary largely and are limited only by the creative abilities of those who participate.

Since the NDW movement has been rekindled in the American scene, NDW Spokespersons have included: Chita Rivera (1994), Gregory Hines (1995), Paula Abdul (1996), Gus Giordano (1997), Ann Reinking (1998), Shirley MacLaine (1999), Debbie Allen as Celebrity Spokesperson and Joe Tremaine as the Education Spokesperson (2000), Sandy Duncan as Celebrity Spokesperson and Luigi as Education Spokesperson (2001) and Ben Vereen as Celebrity Spokesperson and Jo Rowan as Education Spokesperson (2002). They join the American dancers in honoring the 2002 Spokespersons, Fayard Nicholas as Celebrity and Jo Rowan as EducationSpokesperson (2003) and; Tommy Tune as Celebrity and, once again, Jo Rowan, as Educational Spokespersons for 2004. The famed Radio City Rockettes® served us in fine fashion as the Celebrity Spokespersons as did Frank Hatchett as Education Spokesperson, all for NDW 2005 and 2006. With ballet, tap and jazz having been so ably represented in our national representatives over the years, our 2007 Celebrity Spokespersons, John O'Hurley and Charlotte Jorgensen bring the American Ballroom presence into our midst while the Classical Ballet field is being fastidiously represented in our choice for the 2007 Education Spokesperson, the esteemed David Howard. Our 2008 National Representatives are continuing that same balletic presence and bring the prima ballerina to the forefront with the illustrous Cynthia Gregory as the Celebrity Spokesperson. Another who has taken her bows as a principal is the highly respected Roni Mahler who is serving as the Education Spokesperson for NDW 2008. UDMA and NDW are dedicated to honoring all dancers, choreographers, teachers, students and their art and invite all supporters to join in their efforts to celebrate their appreciation for the dance arts as they continue on the quest for raising the public consciousness to the inherent benefits of dance.