PRESS RELEASE: DANCE/USA LAUNCHES THE 2012 INSTITUTE FOR LEADERSHIP TRAINING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2012

CONTACT: Laura Henning 
PHONE: 202.833.1717 x107

Washington, DC – Dance/USA, the national service organization for professional dance, is thrilled to announce the launch of the 2012 Institute for Leadership Training (DILT), a unique mentoring program for dance artists and administrators. The program will commence at Dance/USA’s 2012 Annual Conference in San Francisco, CA to be held June 27-30. 

With generous funding by the American Express Foundation, and additional support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the program will provide support for selected participants to attend the 2012 Dance/USA Annual Conference where they will attend a pre-conference Institute for Leadership Training Seminar on June 27 followed by one-on-one matched mentoring relationships that will extend through December 2012. Dance/USA will support up to 12 mentor-mentee pairs in 2012. 

“This program provides a valuable personal and professional development opportunity to emerging dance leaders,” said Dance/USA Executive Director, Amy Fitterer. 

Piloted in 2011, the program is designed to foster one-on-one relationships that provide networking and leadership for dance artists and administrators, helping them to advance their careers while preparing the field’s next generation of leaders.

Participants from the 2011 pilot praised the program and their experiences. Of the 16 participants in 2011, 75% believed the program has a positive impact on their leadership development. This is a testament to the insightful feedback from the Dance/USA Emerging Leader Task Force in 2009, who together concluded that mentorship was one of the best ways for Dance/USA to support the next generation of dance leaders in their careers. The Institute for Leadership Training will utilize the power of mentorship and ongoing one-on-one communication to bring a new group of dance leaders, from cities across the United States and from diverse professional backgrounds, to the next level in their careers.

“The connections and understanding through meeting with my mentor, as well as with other mentors and mentees, was helpful in building my understanding of the broader field of dance in the US,” said one mentee participant. 

“I believe I learned as much from her as she did from me,” said a mentor participant.

Dance/USA members are eligible to apply to participate in the Institute for Leadership Training. Applications will be available in early March. For more information about becoming a Dance/USA member, please contact Kellee Edusei, Director of Member Services. For additional information about the 2012 Dance/USA Institute for Leadership Training, contact Angelica Daniele.

About Dance/USA
Celebrating 30 years of dance – Established in 1982, Dance/USA is the national service organization for the professional dance field, serving over 460 ballet, modern, ethnic, jazz and tap companies, dance service and presenting organizations, individuals and related organizations. Dance/USA sustains and advances professional dance by addressing the needs, concerns, and interests of artists, administrators and organizations. By providing services and national leadership, Dance/USA enhances the infrastructure for dance creation, education and dissemination. Learn more about Dance/USA and our branch offices by visiting: www.danceusa.org.

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