Debra Collier’s School of Dance attends the National Dance Convention

Faculty and students from Debra Collier’s School of Dance in Warsaw attended the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters workshop in Schaumburg, Illinois.
Studio owner and former CNADM President Debra Collier, MDE, five faculty members and students ranging from beginner to advanced participated in the two-day event to hone their skills in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, Bollywood and modern dance. According to a press release from the School of Dance, participants received instruction from renowned dance professionals.
“As dance educators, we take our responsibility for the proper development of each of our students seriously. By participating in CNADM, we can learn the latest teaching techniques, theories and choreography,” said Collier. “CNADM also offers our students wonderful opportunities such as Student Honors and the College & Career Fair.”
CNADM hosted several audition courses at over 35 colleges and universities for high school and senior high school students interested in further dance education and careers. There were also panel discussions for teachers, parents and students that focused on what families need to know when participating in college dance programs and how they can build a sustainable career in the dance arts. University representatives also had the opportunity to select students with whom they wanted to speak further and provide them with feedback as well as scholarships and offers to join the faculty.

Student Honors Award recipients pictured (left to right) are, front row: Annabel Clark, recipient of the Student Honors Emeritus Award; Makenna Miller, Alexis Cochran, Kayanna Secrist; second row: Alexis Reece, Reagan Ross, Mya Heaton, Natalee Stetzel and Dakota Gardner. Photo provided.

“Each season that CNADM offers the College and Career Fair, DCSD students have received multiple invitations to participate in various college dance programs and scholarships for summer intensives and full school years. It is a wonderful opportunity for dancers to audition for dozens of schools at the same time,” said Tammy Seibold, MDE. “Every faculty member at the university was available to discuss their programs and the various aspects of their campus, their academic opportunities and career paths.”
CNADM offers a Student Honors program exclusively for students of CNADM members. The program includes five levels of written and demonstrative tests in ballet, tap and jazz. Nine DCSD students passed their current level and senior Annabel Clark completed her final level and was awarded a Student Honors Emeritus plaque.
DCSD instructor Katie Jones was accepted into the organization as a member after completing extensive written and oral testing.
For more than 100 years, CNADM has been a trusted source for professional development for dance teachers and their students. DCSD is proud to have five CNADM members on the faculty, as well as one instructor who is a certified dance educator and three who are certified through the organization as master dance educators, the release said.