AMERICAN DANCE FESTIVAL

Heralded as “One of the nation’s most important institutions” by the New York Times and as “The world’s greatest dance festival” by the New York Post, American Dance Festival has remained committed to serving the needs of dance, dancers, choreographers, and professionals in dance-related fields since its first edition in 1934.

Remaining true to the goals of its founding artists, ADF’s programs are developed based on its mission: to encourage and support the creation and presentation of new modern dance work by both established and emerging choreographers, to preserve the modern dance heritage through continued presentation of classic works as well as through archival efforts, to build wider national and international audiences for modern dance, to enhance public understanding and appreciation of the art form and its cultural and historical significance, to provide a sound scientific and aesthetic base for professional education and training of young dancers, and to maintain a forum for integrating and disseminating information on dance education.

Today, performances by professional dance companies, from the most experimental to the most established, still remain at the heart of the Festival but the curriculum has expanded to include classes in dance medicine and the body therapies, as well as repertory, composition and all the major dance techniques. There are also professional workshops offered in teaching and performance, as well as a special program for younger dance students. 

Since 2012 Jodee Nimrichter is the Executive Director of American Dance Festival.