Pictured in front from left are Madison Stephen, Greta Parker, Debra Collier, MDE, Harrison McEldowney, Annie Petro, Mikayla Roller, Claire Kois, Amy Clay, MDE, Nicole Eby. In back are Kristina Collier, MDE, Brianna Pitts, Dezaray Miller, Eliza Kuhn, Rosalyn Miller, Abby Gibson, Tiffany Moore, Brooke Rumple, and Tammy Seibold, MDE. (Photo provided)

WARSAW — Faculty and students from Debra Collier’s School of Dance, Warsaw, attended the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters’ annual ballet forum, Dance and More, Training School and Convention in Schaumburg, Ill. Studio owner and CNADM past president Debra Collier, MDE, faculty members and students attended the workshops to improve skills in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and modern dance. The attendees received instruction from a faculty of renowned dance professionals.

Eight DCSD students also attended the ballet forum where they worked with world-renowned teachers like Valentina Barsukova, Vicki Barlow and Melissa Anderson. They presented newly commissioned pieces at the ballet Gala. Annie Petro and Rosalyn Miller were each selected as honorable mention recipients for merit scholarships for forum participants. Merit scholarships are awarded based on attitude, ability to work with others, ability to accept corrections and dance ability.

Twelve DCSD students successfully completed student honors testing in ballet, tap and jazz. Each test required both written and demonstrative testing. Jasmine Anderson, Abby Gibson and Rosalyn Miller were also recognized at the closing ceremonies for having completed all levels of the student honors program.

The CNADM awards banquet is a highlight of the organization’s summer events. more than 300 teachers and students joined together as they honored Chicago-based choreographer Harrison McEldowney as the recipient of the 2015 Artistic Achievement Award.

The event opened with a performance by the students of the CNADM Dance and More program, including two DCSD students, Abby Gibson and Claire Kois, with choreography by Indianapolis based choreographer Diane Gudat. DCSD alumnus Jeremy Plummer presented the award to his mentor and friend, McEldowney.

McEldowney has choreographed for Carnegie Halls’ 125-Year Celebration of Musical Theater and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics Closing Ceremonies and has collaborated with companies like Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, River North Chicago Dance Company and Ballet Met. “As a master teacher at our studio, as well as at CNADM, I have seen Harrison’s work inspire so many people. It was exciting to see that work recognized,” Tammy Seibold, MDE, said.

CNADM provides three levels of certification where a teacher’s knowledge and competence as a dance educator are measured and qualified. To gain membership, teachers must successfully complete written and demonstrative testing in various disciplines of dance. Teachers may then apply to become a certified dance educator by completing 240 hours of teacher training, passing written and oral testing and submitting a DVD of themselves teaching.

Master dance educator certification may be acquired by an additional 160 hours of training and submission of a teaching portfolio. “Teacher certification is important in our industry,” Collier said. “Many times you will see a dancer who is a talented and beautiful performer but they do not have the training to break elements down and teach them to students. The CNADM certification program is a standard in our industry to assess teachers’ skills and abilities. It is imperative for a teacher to understand the proper progression of developing a student’s skills.”

Debra Collier’s School of Dance is affiliated with CNADM. From continuing education for the studio’s faculty to numerous educational opportunities for students, CNADM programs are designed to elevate the caliber of educators and dancers. For more information, call (574) 267-7055 or visit collierdance.com.