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A 2022 CONFERENCE OF INSPIRATION, JOY & TRANSFORMATION

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Well…it’s a wrap. As we say goodbye to an incredible DTW 2022 Live, I would be remiss to first, not thank all the attendees who graciously led with their heart and souls the past few days. Every year defies expectation, but this year, in particular, felt transformative. Attendees, faculty, team members, vendors alike. The energy exuded was one of complete union, all joined to learn, laugh, grow, inspire, create and move. I am honored to have bared witness to this life-changing event.

We as dance educators recognize how special our role is in the development of children and young dancers. When we continue to learn and grow, so do our students. It’s cyclical. The learning never ends. But, when you combine that with an actual joy of learning- well, the result is powerful. Everyone at this year’s conference was ready. Ready to give, ready to receive and ready to leave recharged to start a new season.

What we don’t recognize sometimes, is that while we are often so focused on our students, we don’t make our own development priority. I think that’s one of the reasons this year was so special. It was also a form of self-care for all of us. To move, be free, to absorb, to listen and share with our peers.

I know I left changed and inspired by all of you, to begin a new season. I think I speak for the rest of the DTW Family as well. We can’t thank you enough for joining us and letting us guide you through your own transformation the past few days. We have learned so much from all of you and are so grateful you trusted us enough to give it a go. We appreciate every single one of you talented dance teachers and studio owners. You are a very, very special group of people in the world, giving students all of your energy, talent and hearts.

We wish you nothing but amazing success over the following season and can’t wait to hear the incredible updates. We know you and your students will not only be successful but absolutely thrive and inspire those around you. Enjoy every second of it!

Until next year…..

With our warmest thanks & appreciation,

Jess & The Entire DTW Family

 

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Author

Jessica Rizzo Stafford

Jessica Rizzo Stafford

Jessica Rizzo Stafford is a native New Yorker and graduate of NYU Steinhardt's Dance Education Master’s Program; with a PK-12 New York State Teaching Certification. Her double-concentration Master’s Degree includes PK-12 pedagogy and dance education within the higher-education discipline. She also holds a BFA in dance performance from the UMASS Amherst 5 College Dance Program where she was a Chancellor's Talent Award recipient. Jess now works extensively with children, adolescents and professionals as choreographer and teacher and conducts national and international master-classes specializing in the genres of modern, contemporary, musical theatre and choreography-composition. Jess’ national and international performance career includes works such as: The National Tour of Guys & Dolls, The European Tour of Grease, West Side Story, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, Salute to Dudley Moore at Carnegie Hall, guest-dancer with the World Famous Pontani Sisters and IMPULSE Modern Dance Company. Jess has been a faculty member for the Perichild Program & Peridance Youth Ensemble & taught contemporary and jazz at the historic New Dance Group and 92nd Street Y in NYC. She was Company Director at the historic Steffi Nossen School of Dance/Dance in Education Fund and in 2008 traveled to Uganda where she taught creative-movement to misplaced children. The experience culminated with Jess being selected as a featured instructor at the Queen's Kampala Ballet & Modern Dance School. She has conducted workshops for the cast of LA REVE at the Wynn, Las Vegas and recently taught at the 2011 IDS International Dance Teacher Conference at The Royal Ballet in London, UK. She is also on faculty for the annual Dance Teacher Web Conferences in Las Vegas, NV. Currently, Jess is a faculty member at the D'Valda & Sirico Dance & Music Centre and master teacher & adjudicator for various national and international dance competitions. Recently, she has finished her NYU Master’s thesis research on the choreographic process of technically advanced adolescent dancers and is the creator of “PROJECT C;” a choreography-composition curriculum for the private studio sector. Jess is also faculty member, contributing writer and presenter in the choreography and “how to” teaching segments on the celebrated danceteacherweb.com. For more info, visit her website at www.jrizzo.net.

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