NDEO CONFERENCE FUNDING AND MORE! | PaDEO Professional Development Scholarship Opportunity | Want to attend NDEO's National Conference?
The Pennsylvania Dance Education Organization (PaDEO) is accepting applications for professional development scholarships to the National Dance Education Organization's annual conference, "SYNERGY: Uniting to Progress the Field of Dance Education," to be held at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Scholarship recipients must be current members of PaDEO.
The scholarship amount is $1,000.00. Funding can be applied to conference registration/fees, travel, and/or lodging.
| | Submitting an Application:
1. Answer each question below.
2. Save your proposal as: LASTNAME_PADEO Scholarship Application.2026.pdf
Include your full name, place and city of employment, email address, phone number, and a copy of your CV/resume.
4. Subject line is: 2026 NDEO Conference Scholarship Application | | | | Questions:
1. Describe how a PaDEO professional development scholarship would benefit you in your profession as a dance educator. (250-400 words)
2. Explain how you would supplement the $1,000 scholarship in order to travel to New Mexico.
3. Have you attended NDEO in the past? When was the last time you attended?
4. Do you have an accepted presentation for this year's conference or do you plan to propose a poster presentation? (Not a requirement)
| | | Deadline for Submission: Friday, June 19, 2026
Scholarship Awardees announced: Friday, July 10, 2026
| SYNERGY: Uniting to Progress the Field of Dance Education
Held every fall, the NDEO National Conference is the premier professional development event for dance educators. Over three vibrant days, you will have access to 250+ workshops, master classes, panel discussions, paper presentations, social events, and captivating performances. Kick off your experience with a full day of pre-conference intensives before the official start.
Click below to learn more and register now!
| | Another funding opportunity:
2026 NDEO Professional Development Scholarship
Deadline to apply: June 1st, 2026
| | | PaDEO Dance Educator Survey: How did we do this year? | Congratulations to the 2026 M.Ed. in Dance Education graduates at Point Park University! |  | In Dance Education graduates pictured (L to R) Christopher Fellows, Jacob Butterworth, Amanda Valletta, Jessica Lucas, Marin Helppie-Schmieder,* Kristen Weibel, Fanta Mshindi, with Dance Education Director Dr. Colleen Hooper. M.Ed. graduate not Pictured: Kiara Prescott
* Helppie-Schmieder resides in California and will not be pursuing Pennsylvania Teaching Certification
In 2023, when Pennsylvania approved a teaching certification in dance education, Point Park was the first university to have its degree approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In May 2026, the first graduates of the program received their degrees and are eligible for certification.
"I am exceptionally proud of our first graduating class of M.Ed. in Dance Education students," said Colleen Hooper, Ph.D., PaDEO Board Member and director of dance education and associate professor in the School of Dance. "They are the first graduates eligible for PK-12 Dance Certification in Pennsylvania, and these students exemplify creativity, professionalism and enthusiasm for dance as an art form. Through their coursework and student teaching, they have done so much to further dance education in Pennsylvania. I am confident they will impact generations of dance students for years to come."
Click below to read "Dance Education is So Much More Than Technique, Say First M.Ed. Graduates" | Finding Joy in Dance May 2026 | Thank you to everyone who shared their joyful moments of dance with PaDEO on May 14th and 15th.
View some highlights below! |  | JCWK Dance Lab |
 | Girls' High Dancers |
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 | Lancaster Country Day School |
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 | Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School, Center for Performing and Fine Arts |
 | Montgomery County Community College Dance Performance Ensemble |
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 | Alvernia Dance Company |
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Join Our Advocacy Committee! | The advocacy committee is seeking to learn more about the changes that have been made to the PA Art Council/PA creative Industries. If these changes are affecting your funding or raise particular concerns for your organization, we would love to hear about them. Please email us at padeoinfo@gmail.com.
If you are interested in joining the advocacy committee, please let us know. There is always work to be done! | Stay tuned on all our social medias as we spotlight the leaders, mentors and educators who contribute to our mission! | Dance Teacher Certification Tests | For the most up to date information about PA Department of Education requirements, please see the link below for information on the tests required for the Dance Teaching Certification. | Our website has up-to-date information about getting your Dance Teacher Certification in PA! |  | | Share your recent news in our next newsletter:
|  | Be highlighted for your contribution to PA dance education:
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PaDEO members come from a variety of backgrounds, with memberships tailored to meet the needs of students, professionals/young professionals, art institutions, and education institutions.
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Click below to learn more! | The Pennsylvania Dance Education Organization is a proud State Affiliate of the National Dance Education Organization | |