National Dance Day Orlando

National Dance Day Orlando will host its second annual celebration that aims to educate, inspire, and promote the Orlando dance community. This event has been specially designed to promote progressive development of dancers, celebrate the diversity of Central Florida's dance professionals, and further connect the Orlando dance community.

Many large cities across the nation host free community-wide events on this day and get recognized on Fox's So You Think You Can Dance. Last year's Orlando event pulled in an estimated 500 participants throughout the day. With the success of last year, I believe the greatest benefit for our dance community involves growing this year’s educational experiences.

A larger number of free dance classes will be offered at First United Methodist Church of Orlando during this year’s NDDO event. I desired a downtown location with classrooms that had views of the new Dr. Phillip’s Performing Arts Center to provide a unique ambience for the attending community. I have chosen three rooms that will offer different dance classes every 90 minutes. Instructors and performers of professional Orlando-based dance companies will share different styles of dance with the attending dance community throughout the morning and afternoon. The church facility also features a large common area, which would serve as a waiting/warmup area for dancers and their parents while classes are going on. In this space, our NDDO guests would be able to meet one another, discuss classes, technique, and prepare to enter their next workshop.

Funded by Orlando, FL (May 2014)