Dear NDEO Membership,
As I write this letter to you, I consider all the many ways we have met on the screen over this past year and shared and learned together. I consider all the journeys we have traveled as humans, dance artists and dance educators, and I am amazed, humbled, and full of gratitude for dance and for you.
Towards the beginning of the Covid-19 global pandemic, I happened upon an article in the
Wall Street Journal, “What Comes After the Coronavirus Storm?” (April 2020). In this article Peggy Noonan quoted Damian Barr “We are not all in the same boat. We are all in the same storm.” I have offered this quote to fellow faculty, to students in my classroom, to professional colleagues, and to myself during the stressful high tides.
In thinking about my fellow dance artists and dance educators, however, I began to wonder if we are all in the same storm. Certainly, the dance community faced similar challenges as other people in the USA, yet our storm as dancers highlighted our resilience, our creativity, and our perseverance to move forward and through challenges by tapping into the synergy of our dance education community.
It is through this lens that my excitement stays ignited as I shift into the President role for NDEO. I am continually inspired by the empathy of our membership and the outpouring of support for each other near and far.
As Brené Brown (2018) states in
Dare to Lead “Empathy isn’t about fixing, it’s a brave choice to be with someone in the darkness—not to race to turn the light on so we feel better” (p. 142). The NDEO community intentionally listened to one another, shared ideas, created resources, generated new dances, and more. These efforts continue to guide NDEO’s advocacy for dance for all—a mission that brings renewed action and change to an old mantra.
Many of us may have imagined the storm would have passed by 2021, and yet we are still moving through it. I will do my part to ensure that NDEO will continue to support the dance community with both grace and strength.
The upcoming year for NDEO includes initiatives that will guide the future of dance and dance education.
- NDEO is partnering with Maryland Nonprofits to review the organization and our programs through the lens of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). The 50-member work team includes the boards of directors, committee members, staff, and members.
- The fundraising initiatives of the NDEO Development Committee over the past three years has led to an increase from 3 professional development scholarships in 2018 to 14 professional development scholarships in 2021. These scholarships directly support our membership and the mission of NDEO.
- The Special Interest Groups (SIGS) and free webinars flourished during 2020 by creating community and showcasing the creative and thoughtful work of our membership in various teaching and performance environments. These will continue and broaden as we move through 2021.
- NDEO announces that we will host a second virtual National Conference this October — Telling Our Stories: The Essentiality of Dance Education in Changing Times. Stay tuned for more information including the Call for Proposals later this month.
For over ten years I have served in different capacities on the NDEO Boards of Directors. Over that time, I never imagined the current pandemic would coincide with my term as President. I am honored to serve during this extraordinary time, which has enlivened the creative power of dance educators. With your work in mind, I strive to glide, reach, embrace, release, breathe, and listen to you as members of our organization. My virtual door is always open—please email me with ideas, suggestions, or concerns.
Sincerely,
Kelly Ferris Lester
NDEO President (2020-2022)
president@ndeo.org