As part of our commitment to build knowledge within the field of dance education, the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) takes a special interest in supporting lifelong learning. Dance, by its ephemeral nature, is always changing. Advances in dance medicine and science, changing trends in artistry and audience taste, and new discoveries in child development and educational theory all impact how dance is taught and learned. Dance teachers must remain committed to improving their own knowledge and skills through continuing education and lifelong learning.
“If you want to stay relevant as a dance educator, you have to keep learning. An investment in your own professional development is an investment in your students, and in the industry at large. When we grow as individual dance teachers, we help advance the entire field of dance education,” according to NDEO Executive Director Susan McGreevy-Nichols.
To engage in lifelong learning, dance teachers need access to knowledge, tools, and strategies that impact teaching and learning in and through dance. NDEO partners with our members, many of whom are leading experts in the field, to generate knowledge through research and best practices and disseminate it through online dance education courses within NDEO's Online Professional Development Institute (OPDI). We believe that by building, promoting and sharing this knowledge, we can advance dance education for all.
“One of the best ways to advocate for dance education for all is to help teachers continue their own lifelong learning,” says McGreevy-Nichols, who also serves as a professor in NDEO’s Online Professional Development Institute. “When dance educators are engaged in their own lifelong learning, they become better equipped to provide a quality experience for their students, and the students in turn are inspired to invest in their own education.”
When you commit to lifelong learning, you join in this important work. You contribute to the growing body of knowledge available in the field of dance education. You develop new teaching methods when you apply this knowledge in the studio or classroom with your students. When you share your experiences in group discussions, you help to foster the growth and education of other educators. Perhaps most importantly, you model for your students the importance of education for personal growth, and help to inspire their own love of learning.
There are many ways that dance educators can seek out continuing education. NDEO member Sheri Towner-Gabrelcik recalls her own professional development journey: “My dance education began by seeking out master teachers in the 1970s. I was fortunate to be able to attend classes over long periods of time with Don Farnworth, Harry Asmus, Charles Kelly, and Gus Giordano. Their emphasis on dance technique and style of teaching helped to formulate my personal philosophies for dance education. Throughout my teaching career I have sought out educational texts about all genres of dance and have established a very large library. My desire for increased knowledge has always been a strong drive.”
With advancements in online technology, opportunities for professional development exploded. Webinars, seminars, and online courses, have been increasingly popular ways for dance educators to continue their education. Recognizing the power of these platforms, NDEO launched the Online Professional Development Institute (OPDI) in 2011. Today, the program features 36 online courses for dance teachers on a range of topics, including teaching methods, dance history, choreography, research, kinesiology, and injury prevention. Towner-Gabrelcik was one of the first dance teachers to turn to OPDI. “(It) was an additional opportunity to increase knowledge, but to also reaffirm my philosophy of dance pedagogy. Once enrolled in courses it was exciting to discover a vast community of similar minded individuals dedicated to providing the best dance education possible for their students.”
NDEO’s Online Professional Development Institute (OPDI) has since become one of the most established online education platforms for dance educators. The program’s reputation for quality is built on the experience of thousands of participants from across the country and around the world. OPDI provides accessible continuing education options for dance teachers, program directors, administrators, and choreographers working in any dance education environment. Participants can choose from a range of diverse and unique online courses, facilitated by leading experts in the field. In addition to receiving feedback and support from the instructor, participants also connect with one another through online discussion boards. The courses are a great way to network with other dance teachers, working in different environments, from across the country and around the world.
Spring 2020 OPDI Courses - Now Open for Enrollment
For the 2020 spring semester, new offerings include three exciting partnerships with premiere dance organizations, The Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, Dance Education Laboratory (DEL), and the Language of Dance® approach. You can learn more about these courses here.
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OPDI-116: Harkness Center for Dance Injuries: The Applied Science of Dancer Health and Injury Prevention starts January 13th and is taught by Marijeanne Liederbach with Joshua Honrado, Kristen Stevens, and William Zinse of the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries.
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OPDI-118: Dance Education Laboratory (DEL) Essentials also starts January 13th and is taught by Ann Biddle of the Dance Education Laboratory.
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OPDI-119: Motif Notation Literacy through the Language of Dance® Approach: Your Move, Your Choreography starts January 27th and is taught by Beth Megill of the Language of Dance® approach, which was created and developed by Ann Hutchinson Guest.
For those who need college credits, some OPDI courses can be taken as a college credit option through the University of North Carolina - Greensboro. This spring, OPDI-103: Foundations for Assessments in Dance, taught by Dr. Rima Faber, is available for 3 graduate credits, and OPDI-106: Choreographic Explorations in Dance Since 1953, taught by Dr. Naima Prevots, is available for 3 undergraduate credits. (Separate registration process and fees apply.) 
New to online learning and not sure if it is a good fit for you? NDEO’s mini-courses offer an opportunity to try the online format in a lower cost, lower commitment format. These courses run between 4 and 6 weeks, and provide an introduction to specialized dance education topics. This spring, we are offering OPDI –M2: Elements of Dance, one of our most popular mini-courses, which examines how the body moves in space, in time, and with energy (dynamics). This is a relevant topic for any dance teacher, and a great way to try out online education.
Other Spring 2020 courses include:
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OPDI-101: Introduction to the Professional Teaching Standards for Dance Arts (PTSDA)
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OPDI-M13: Modern Dance Theory and Composition
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OPDI-M16: Introduction to the Dance Entry Level Teacher Assessment (DELTA)
For those truly invested in continuing their education, the Certificate in Dance Education can be earned through the completion of 33 credits in the OPDI program. The CiDE attests to a well-rounded training experience specific to the knowledge and skills needed to be a successful dance teacher. Participants complete between 11 and 15 courses of their choosing, based on their professional development needs and educational or creative interests. The courses can be taken on the participant’s own timeline, allowing for maximum flexibility and accessibility.
For Jenny Bopp, a recent recipient of the CiDE, it was her initial experiences with OPDI, combined with her dedication to lifelong learning, that encouraged her to pursue the Certificate. “After having taken a few OPDI courses sporadically in 2017, I discovered how valuable and helpful they were to my career, and I began seriously pursuing my CiDE in 2018.” Bopp trained in ballet and modern dance throughout her youth and continued dancing while studying at Hillside College in Michigan. She later went on to receive an MA in Urban Studies and Community Arts, and has taught dance in schools and studios for eight years. “I can confidently say I am a better teacher, choreographer, and person because of what I've learned. While I feel that learning is a lifelong enterprise, earning my CiDE has given me the confidence I need to pursue and explore dance in other forms and teaching environments.”
For veteran educators, those just starting out in their careers, and everyone in between, continuing education should be a priority. NDEO’s Online Professional Development Institute (OPDI) can help all dance teachers prioritize lifelong learning by making quality dance education courses accessible. Through our shared commitment to building knowledge, we can advance the field and make our vision of dance education for all a reality!
Enrollment is now open for Spring 2020 courses. To get started, you will need a current NDEO Membership and to complete the OPDI Application if you have not previously done so. Tuition for an individual OPDI course ranges from $200 to $520 depending on the length of the course.
For questions, please email opdi@ndeo.org.