Williamsburg, VA — The National Dance Society proudly announces its 2026 Annual Conference at William & Mary, Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall, May 17–20, 2026. Under the theme “Dance in Broad Perspectives…Dance for All,” the conference will unite educators, performers, scholars, and students nationwide to celebrate dance as artistry, scholarship, healing practice, and cultural dialogue.

Featured Keynote Speakers

Shannon Hummel, Artistic Director of Core Dance Arts and Appalachia, is internationally recognized for bridging contemporary dance with community-based practice. Her work integrates intergenerational collaboration, rural arts engagement, and socially responsive choreography that expands access to dance across diverse communities.

Dr. De’Andra Clarke, Professor of Hip Hop at the University of Richmond, is a scholar-artist whose research positions hip hop as both cultural expression and rigorous academic inquiry. Her keynote will address preservation, pedagogy, and the global reach of hip hop culture.

Jason Pickett, celebrated hip hop dancer, competition judge, and founder of the No Starving Artists podcast, will speak on sustainability in the arts and building viable creative careers while maintaining artistic integrity.

Professional Performance Highlights

The conference will feature professional performances by:

Leah Glenn Dance — presenting contemporary work rooted in expressive physicality and choreographic innovation.

CuriAtlas Dance, directed by Joan Gavaler, known for its distinctive fusion of dance, visual art, and inventive theatrical staging.

Additional featured performances include:

Dance Louder Than Words — works centering social justice, identity, and embodied storytelling.

Virginia Homespun Dance Ensemble — preserving historical American social dance traditions through dynamic live presentation.

Panels & Cultural Conversations

A featured panel discussion on cultural dances and who can teach them will be led by Ed Allison, award-winning educator and national arts leader, will present a keynote address focused on excellence, equity, and visionary leadership in dance and education. This timely conversation will explore issues of lineage, cultural responsibility, authenticity, pedagogy, and access within dance education.

Additional panels and workshops include:

“Fix Me Jesus: From the Pulpit to the Pole” — examining sacred and secular movement traditions

Blues dancing and trauma-informed practice

Ancestry-based movement classes

Cross-genre pedagogy labs

Honors Thesis and scholarly paper presentations

Special Workshops & Healing Practices

A professional dancer from the Washington Wizards Dancers will lead an audition workshop offering insider strategies for commercial dance careers and professional team preparation.

Denise Wade will present workshops on dance as healing, including movement practices that support individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, highlighting research-informed approaches to neurological wellness and embodied resilience.

Conference Details

Dates: May 17–20, 2026
Location: William & Mary, Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall
601 Jamestown Rd, Williamsburg, VA

Media Opportunities: On-site interviews, rehearsal footage, performance coverage, and keynote access available upon request.

For press inquiries, media passes, or additional information:
Valerie A. Winborne, MA, R-DMT
President, National Dance Society
vawnationaldancesociety@gmail.com

Registration and full conference information:
https://nationaldancesociety.org