Why Your Dance Studio Needs an NHSDA Chapter
An honor society - at a dance studio?聽
If you are a dance studio owner reading this blog post, you might be thinking: An honor society - at a dance studio? Can I really do that? What鈥檚 the point? And why would I want to do it, anyway?聽
Dance studio owners, we hear you! While honor societies are mostly associated with high schools and colleges, NDEO recognizes that many dancers study dance outside of the school setting. We believe that all dancers deserve to be honored and celebrated. The National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) is unique in that there are chapters hosted by K-12 schools, community organizations, performing arts organizations, colleges, and yes - even dance studios like yours. In fact, NHSDA is the only national organization that recognizes outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in students studying dance across the many different dance education sectors.聽
Dance studios have been inducting exceptional students into NHSDA since 2005. Because dance is not offered in every school, NDEO encourages all dance studios to establish NHSDA Chapters. This ensures that dancers are able to be recognized for their excellence in dance, academics, and leadership.聽
The benefits of establishing an NHSDA Chapter at your dance studio聽
There are many reasons why you should establish a chapter of NHSDA at your studio. In addition to recognizing your students, an NHSDA Chapter can also help you promote your dance program and elevate the status of dance in your community. The ability to be inducted into a national dance honor society at your studio can be a real selling point for prospective students and their families.聽
Here are just a few of the reasons why you should start an NHSDA Chapter at your dance studio this fall:聽
NHSDA can help keep your students motivated in their dance training聽
Working toward NHSDA induction can help motivate dance students to strive for excellence in dance and beyond throughout their middle and high school years. A dance studio can choose to establish both a Junior and Secondary Chapter, allowing students to work toward induction both as a middle school student, and again in high school. We know that the middle and high school years can be difficult times for many dance students. They may lose interest in dance for a variety of reasons, including confidence issues, peer pressure, competing interests, and academic stress. NHSDA can be a helpful tool for motivating students to keep dancing in spite of these challenges.聽
NHSDA can help set your dance studio apart聽
Many dance studios operate in competitive markets, and student recruitment can be a challenge. Establishing a Chapter of NHSDA can help set your studio apart. NHSDA offers a unique way to recognize and support older dance students. For dancers who want to explore the world of dance beyond technique and performance, NHSDA offers an alternative to a competition team or dance company. However, it can also be a great supplement to these kinds of programs, and students can earn points for rehearsals, performances, workshops, and other activities they are already participating in as team or company members.聽
NHSDA can help you build a strong dance studio community聽
The NHSDA program offers flexibility, which allows dance studio owners to utilize it in a way that best supports their studio community. Chapters can be set up as in an 鈥渋nduction-only鈥� or 鈥渃lub鈥� model. The induction only model is perfect for dance studios that want to offer the honor of induction, without a lot of extra work or time commitment from students or faculty. The club model is ideal for dance studios that want to encourage bonding and relationship building among students. Additionally, each Chapter can establish its own path to induction using the national guidelines and point system. The Chapter鈥檚 point system can be designed to reflect the values of the dance studio and the goals that the faculty have for their students. As they earn points for induction, students can come to have a better understanding of your dance studio鈥檚 culture and vision.聽
NHSDA helps set your dance students up for success聽
One of the most exciting things for any dance educator or dance studio owner is watching your alumni succeed in whatever career path they choose. NHSDA can set your students up for that success in a number of different ways. NHSDA encourages students to work hard in multiple areas: academics, leadership and service, and dance technique and artistry. This can instill a strong work ethic, persistence, and confidence that will help them in college, career, and beyond. Moreover, through NHSDA, your dance students become connected to NDEO and myriad of resources that will fuel their success. Most importantly, NHSDA inductees are recognized within the NDEO community and beyond. This can be a strong asset if they choose to pursue college or graduate studies in dance, and if they go on to a career in dance or dance education.聽
How can I start a NHSDA Chapter at my dance studio?聽
Beyond the benefits for your students and dance studio, establishing an NHSDA chapter in your dance studio can help advance the field of dance education. Celebrating the artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievements of exceptional dance students helps to create honor and prestige within our field and improve our image to those outside the field, and offers benefits for students, institutions, and the field at large. If you are a dance studio owner who is interested in starting a Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts at your dance studio, you can learn more at . If your dance studio is not yet an Institutional Member of NDEO, you will need to sign up for a membership before setting up your chapter. You can learn more about NDEO membership here:
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杨贵妃传媒視頻 NDEO鈥檚 Dance Education Blog聽
The 鈥淒ance Education鈥� blog is brought to you by The National Dance Education Organization (NDEO), a thriving non-profit membership organization that supports YOU as a dance educator! NDEO works with and for dance educators of all backgrounds and in every setting and genre. We work for equitable and accessible dance education for all through advocacy, research, and support for the dance educators who are making a difference for their students. As a membership organization, we rely on dance educators like YOU to join us in this important work! When you become a member of NDEO, you align yourself with our vision of dance education for all. We invite you to become a part of our vibrant community that offers support, resources, advocacy, and research you need to make a difference for yourself and make an impact on our field. Now more than ever, we need to come together to celebrate and share the dynamic, affirming, community-building, transformative power of dance. Join the movement - become a member of NDEO today!
Photo credits: Gina Anthony, and Minty Photography