NHSDA Programs
National Honors Society for Dance Arts
The National Honors Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) is a program of the National Dance Education Organization created to recognize outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in student dancers. NHSDA is an opportunity to get together with other motivated dancers to make a positive difference in our community, grow as an artist and learn more about dance, and be recognized for the time and effort you put into your dance education on college and/or job applications. There are two ways to participate in NHSDA at DCM as part of the NHSDA Chapter or as a Chapter member who is also part of the NHSDA Ensemble. Please see below for more information.
You can find more information about NHSDA here.
NHSDA Middle School and High School Chapters
Participation in DCM's NHSDA Chapter is free to all qualifying dancers, but there are fees to participate in events including field trips and workshops. Students meet monthly with a the chapter sponsor to plan, organize, and participate in events that benefit charities and/or the DCM NHSDA chapter. These events will include the NHSDA Showcase, a field trip, and DCM volunteer projects. Dancers will be able to participate in the NHSDA Chapter and Ballet Chesapeake concurrently. Dancers interested in joining NHSDA should attend our first meeting and look for membership information that will be posted below to download during the school year.
NHSDA Ensemble
The NHSDA Ensemble program is designed for students in grades 6-12 who want to broaden their dance studies through opportunities to attend field trips, performances, festivals, and master classes outside of regular DCM classes. We hope this program will go beyond technique to provide a meaningful dance experience for NHSDA members and their audience and allow dancers to bring their joy for dance to the community at DCM and beyond.
Schedule: Dancers in the NHSDA Ensemble will have weekly rehearsals on Tuesdays. Dancers may be asked to stay for all or a portion of this time depending on what the group is rehearsing. This rehearsal time will be required for dancers to participate in performances and festivals with the group. Dancers can miss up to five rehearsals during the rehearsal period from September – June.
Fees: There will be a fee of $500 to participate in the NHSDA Ensemble for the September-June season. This fee will cover weekly rehearsal costs and festival/performance registrations, and field trip tickets for all participating dancers. Fees can be paid in advance, or on an installment plan.
Registration: (At this time, dancers are not able to participate in both Ballet Chesapeake and the NHSDA Ensemble because of conflicting rehearsal and performance times.) Dancers who want to participate in the NHSDA Ensemble can register online or visit the DCM office to register in person.
NHSDA Events
NHSDA Chapter
NHSDA Meetings will be on Friday evenings about once per month. To stay up to date, check the DCM/BC online calendar HERE.
Maryland Council for Dance Festival
NHSDA Ensemble members will be attending the Maryland Council for dance Festival at Goucher College in Towson, MD From October 11-13. Please save the date, and more info will be available soon! Check out the festival on the MD Council for Dance website HERE.
NHSDA Showcase
Each year the NHSDA Chapter at DCM holds a fundraiser concert to donate to a charity chosen by the students. The NHSDA Ensemble will perform their repertoire at this performance. Check the DCM newsletter for dates and times!
Maryland Dance Alliance
High School students in the NHSDA Ensemble can participate in the Maryland Dance Alliance festival held at the Gordon Center for the Performing Arts in February. All performance and class fees are included in NHSDA participation. Parents will be responsible for transportation to and from the Gordon Center.
Field Trip
NHSDA Dancers can attend a professional dance performance as a field trip. Ensemble members will have tickets included as part of their participation fee. Past field trips have included a tour of the Kennedy Center and attendance at Washington Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet, and a backstage tour and attendance at Pennsylvania Ballet’s Don Quixote.
Spring Performance
The NHSDA Ensemble will perform several pieces of repertory in the end-of-year June Concert. Dates and times for performances and rehearsals will be available in December.