Reach your #DanceGoals with NHSDA!
What is the National Honor Society for Dance Arts?
If you are a dance student with big goals, the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) can help you accomplish them! NHDSA is an honor society, just like those you may be inducted to at your school for math, music, or foreign languages. Unlike other honor societies, though, you do not need to be part of a school-based dance program to be inducted into NHSDA! NHSDA Chapters can be set up at dance studios, community centers, and performing arts organizations in addition to K-12 schools and colleges.
Something else that makes NHSDA unique is that it celebrates the whole dancer, not just what you see on stage. Students are inducted into NHSDA because of their artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in outstanding dance students. We know that to be successful in dance, you need to have more than great technique. We see all the skills you develop through dance - creativity, leadership, teamwork, organization, self-expression and more. We know that there are many ways to excel in the field of dance, and we want to recognize all exceptional dance students.
How can I get inducted into NHSDA?
Dance students earn points toward NHSDA induction by participating in a wide variety of activities like dance classes, rehearsals, performances, stage crew, dance photography or videography, being an assistant teacher, research or writing about dance, and community service projects. There are three levels of NHSDA induction: The Junior Program for grades 6-8, The Secondary Program for grades 9-12, and The Collegiate Program for undergraduate and graduate students. You can be inducted into NHSDA at a school, organization, or dance studio with an active NHSDA Chapter. If you are interested in being inducted into NSHDA, but your school does not have an active Chapter, talk to your dance teacher about starting a Chapter today. They can learn more at .
How can NHSDA help me reach my dance goals?
Induction into NSHDA offers many benefits and opportunities for dance students. Whether you are a middle school who wants to explore more ways to get involved with dance, a high school hoping to major in dance in college, or a college dance major who is ready to embark on their dance career - NHSDA can help you get there! Here are some of the reasons why NHSDA induction can help you reach your dance goals!
NHSDA is recognized by colleges and employers
Established in 2005, NHSDA is one of the most widely recognized honors in dance education, with its reputation for excellence acknowledged by dance education professionals internationally. If you are a high school student hoping to major in dance, induction can set you apart from other dancers vying for a spot in a college dance program. Even if you do not plan to dance in college, being inducted into an honor society for dance shows that you are dedicated to academic achievement. For college students going on to a career, listing NHSDA induction on your resume can show future employers that you are committed to learning, creativity, service, and leadership - qualities that can make you highly employable in any field.
NHSDA encourages you to be well-rounded and versatile
Success in the dance field requires more than good dance technique. Despite this, many dance honors and awards still focus solely on technique and performance. At NDEO, we understand that excellence in dance goes beyond how well someone executes movement. To be inducted into NHSDA, you will have to earn points for doing a range of different dance activities, such as taking classes, participating in performances, creating choreography, writing research papers, seeing live performances, going to intensives or workshops, or getting involved in your school and community. You will discover that unique talents are beneficial to the field of dance, and that you can contribute to the dance community in important ways. This versatility can help you reach your dance goals, whatever they might be! Xia Johnson, an inductee in the NHSDA Chapter at Perry Hall Christian School in Maryland, describes how being part of the NHSDA helped her reach her goals: 鈥淏eing a part of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts has benefited me in so many areas of my life. I am able to be in a community where dance is valued and appreciated. NHSDA has helped me figure out what I want to do for my future and have hope in the arts.鈥�
NHSDA provides community
Life can sometimes be lonely for dance students. Family and friends may not always understand your passion for dance or why it means so much to you. You may miss out on important events or have to give up other hobbies to pursue your dance training. You may not even have the time to develop close bonds with other dancers because of your class and rehearsal schedule. NHSDA can provide a sense of community that will help you reach your dance goals. You and your fellow inductees can share experiences, make memories, and form relationships as you work together to earn points for induction or participate in Chapter activities. 鈥淏eing with a group of girls who share the same passion and love for dance inspires me to chase all of my aspirations within dance,鈥� says Elizabeth Montgomery an inductee into the NHSDA Chapter at Lake Norman High School in North Carolina. 鈥淎ll of us members have grown as dancers by fostering positive and determined mindsets from conversations and activities we have done together. We also have learned that our impact goes beyond dance as we spent lots of time raising money and awareness for several causes important to our members. I have enjoyed being a part of NHSDA at my school as I鈥檝e grown as a leader, dancer and member of my community.鈥� When you are inducted into NHSDA, you will also become part of an international community of outstanding dance students - the next generation of artists, innovators, and leaders in the field. You can take pride in knowing that you are showing the world that dance is valuable, and that dancers are creative, intelligent, empathetic, adaptable, and capable!
NHSDA offers mentorship and support
Your dance teachers probably have an enormous impact on your life, in and out of the studio. Through NHSDA, you will have the opportunity to strengthen your relationship with the dance teacher who serves as your Chapter Sponsor. Your Chapter Sponsor can help you choose meaningful activities that will help you meet their dance goals as you earn induction points. After induction, you can assist the Chapter Sponsor in the administration and management of the Chapter, and also help plan and host Chapter events. The Chapter Sponsor can continue to provide resources, advice, and mentorship throughout your time as a Chapter member. NHSDA leaders learn the value of mentorship and community, and find ways to support other dancers as well. As Abigail Buckley, an inductee at the NHSDA Chapter at Cypress Lake High School in Florida, describes how she has continues the legacy of support and mentorship through NHSDA: 鈥淕etting to positively impact our community has been a benefit of NHSDA, as we have learned how to work with others, plan accordingly, manage time and many other important qualities. I have grown as a leader as I get to help mentor younger dancers as they enter high school while learning from mentors of my own. This has built confidence in myself and in my communication abilities which is crucial for the future inside and outside of dance.鈥�
NHSDA unlocks opportunities
Through NHSDA, you can unlock exciting opportunities for further recognition and success in the dance field. Earning points toward induction and being active in your NHSDA Chapter can provide valuable skills and experiences that will be useful in your future career path. 鈥淚 am one of the founding students of the NHSDA chapter at my college, and it has taught me a lot about my own leadership skills,鈥� says Kate Knauer, an inductee of the NHSDA Chapter at Stonehill College in Massachusetts. 鈥淏eing the first president has helped me gain many skills that I will benefit from in the future like scheduling, delegating tasks, putting on events, marketing, and so much more. Holding this position as an aspiring studio owner has taught me so much that will be beneficial in my future.鈥� But there are other opportunities available through NHSDA induction, as well. In your junior and senior year of high school, you can apply for the NHSDA Artistic Merit, Leadership and Academic Achievement Award, which comes with national recognition and a scholarship. You can have your writing published in the official NHSDA newsletter, Dance Arts Now!, and be featured in the Senior Yearbook Slideshow when you graduate. Inductees in the NHSDA Collegiate Program have a direct connection to NDEO and the opportunities, benefits, and resources that our organization offers. Additionally, Collegiate Inductees can continue to earn points toward Graduation with Honor status, and be recognized in the Senior Yearbook Slideshow.
How can my school or studio start an NHSDA Chapter?
NHSDA was established by the National Dance Education Organization in 2005 to recognize outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in students studying dance in public and private schools in K-12 education, dance studios, cultural/community centers, performing arts organizations, and post-secondary education.
NHSDA operates on an institutional basis, with over 1,500 active chapters throughout the United States and abroad. Chapters are set up at individual institutions, and are moderated by a dance educator at that institution who serves as the Chapter Sponsor. Eligible students can be inducted into the Chapter at their school, studio, or program. There are three levels of induction: Junior (grades 6-8), Secondary (grades 9-12), and Collegiate (post-secondary). Students can be inducted into each level of the honor society, potentially being a member from middle school through graduate school!
If you are a dance educator who is interested in starting a Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts at your school, you can learn more at /nhsda/Start-a-Chapter. If your school 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: /Membership
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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 in order from top to bottom: Hop Springs Dance Troupe by Aaron Brewer, LI Dance Company NHSDA Member by Javin Leonard, Osceola County School for the Arts, Miami Arts Charter High School by Diana Ford