Dance Education in Delaware – A Survey of Dance Studios

• Giavonna Simmons-Walker, Art, University of Delaware

• Lynnette Young Overby, Department of Theatre & Dance, University of Delaware

Dance Education in Delaware – A Survey of Dance Studios 

The purpose of this project was to document the history of dance in the state of Delaware.  The project included: (1) conducting a survey with individuals who have dance studios in New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties and (2) viewing and collecting studio artifacts (websites, programs, newspaper articles, photographs).  To my knowledge, this topic has not been previously explored. Studies have been conducted on dance education in other states, including New York, California, and Texas. Insights were drawn from these works. For example, in 1918, pioneering educator Gertrude Colby introduced ‘Natural Dancing’ at Columbia University Teachers College, transforming dance into a creative educational practice. A thirteen-question survey was created to gather information about local dance studios, including founding dates, long-term goals for dancers, outstanding students, curriculum details, and community outreach activities. Fifteen dance studios were contacted, and four surveys were returned by the deadline. The four Delaware studios included First State Academy of Dance (Sussex County), The Dance Factory (Kent County), Wilmington Ballet (New Castle County), and Dance Conservatory/Ballet Theatre of Dover (Kent County).  The First State Academy of Dance has produced professional ballet dancers and scholarship recipients. The Dance Factory students have seen performances in New York and Philadelphia. Wilmington Ballet hosts Delaware’s longest-running Nutcracker, featuring world-class artists and a live orchestra. The Dance Conservatory encourages appreciation and participation in diverse dance styles. All four studios engage in community outreach through classes and performances, with many students advancing to professional dance careers, including dancing with professional companies and becoming artistic directors. The National and State dance education standards have guided the curriculum at all four schools. My findings indicated that all four studios prioritized training, community, and personal development in dance education, focusing on individual student needs and maintaining a safe environment.