Dance New Amsterdam Teams With National Dance Week To Promote Safe Training

Dance New Amsterdam (DNA), a global dance community located in Lower Manhattan that provides the ultimate studio-to-stage experience for artists to explore multiple opportunities, and National Dance Week - NYC (NDW-NYC), a 10-day festival of free dance and fitness classes, announced today a strategic partnership aimed at celebrating dance diversity. To kick things off, the organizations have teamed up to launch a series of twelve instructional videos that will provide dancers with tools to increase body awareness in order to prevent injury, strengthen core muscular structure and flexibility, and develop stylistic movement in a variety of genres. Ultimately, DNA and NDW-NYC will work together to create valuable resources that allow dance enthusiasts to acquire knowledge of the limitless holistic benefits of dance for all levels and ages.

The videos will be housed on NDW-NYC's website gallery page, YouTube channel and social media outlets as well as shared within the NDW-NYC and DNA communities. Twelve teachers from DNA will address themes encompassing hip alignment, core strength, upper body strength, plumb line, muscular imbalance, and psoas strength. A few of the videos will also highlight warm up exercises that will help dancers learn how to internalize stylistic techniques integral to African, Hip Hop and Contemporary Jazz genres. Featured DNA teachers include: Gail Accardi, Antolino Alvarez, Jennifer Archibald, Martha Chapman, Jennie Cohen, Laurie De Vito, Chris Heller, Katiti King, Nia Love, Lynn Simonson, Oliver Steele and Teri Lee Steele.

"DNA is such a vital dance organization in NYC and amid their fight to keep their doors open this year I saw an opportunity for NDW-NYC to help promote the impact DNA has on the industry and to work together to increase dancers' awareness of safe training," said Tasha Norman, founder of NDW-NYC. "DNA has always been dedicated to the wellness of dancers and committed to giving individual attention and correction. These videos only provide a glimpse into the technique, specialized training, and variety of styles taught by their phenomenal instructors."

Additionally, NDW-NYC will call DNA home as they move their office to take on an administrative space at DNA. DNA's Subsidized Administrative Space Program (SAS) was created to extend the organization's resources to up to eight New York City artists, providing them with an affordable work space which includes a private computer, phone, fax, supplies, access to a copier and meeting areas, along with expert advice from the DNA staff. Furthermore, the office spaces provide artists with an opportunity for networking amongst their peers.

"DNA has a long history of working with Tasha Norman, as she first launched NDW-NYC in our original Dance Space Center location at 622 Broadway. She is committed to providing opportunities and creating projects that increase awareness of the arts, highlight innovations, and unite the dance community," said Catherine Peila, Executive Director of DNA. "We support NDW-NYC's mission to celebrate the diversity of dance and see this partnership as an opportunity to highlight injury-free techniques and methodologies that define DNA. We care about our dance community; we see a need and do our best to respond."

The videos will be released on Wednesday of every week starting November 17, 2010 and continue for 12 consecutive weeks.

About Dance New Amsterdam
Founded in 1984, Dance New Amsterdam (DNA) celebrates 26 years of cultural leadership in contemporary dance. DNA supports the life, career, and longevity of dance artists through ongoing high quality contemporary dance education, opportunities for choreographic exploration and innovative performance, and service to the field and the Lower Manhattan community. DNA fosters the development of new and experimental works through commissions, residencies and subsidized space. We are committed to training healthy dancers, developing new audiences and bridging diverse communities by exploring the role of dance across a spectrum of contemporary dance styles and cultures.
Program revenue alone does not cover the costs of DNA's annual activities. We would like to thank the generous supporters who have helped DNA achieve its mission and make the 2010/2011 season possible, including: public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), in partnership with the City Council and Former City Council Member Alan J. Gerson; New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State's 62 counties, and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA); New York State Assembly-Member Deborah J. Glick and New York State Senator Daniel Squadron through the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; as well as from American Express; Mertz Gilmore Foundation; Multi-Arts Production (MAP) Fund; TenduTV, a media sponsor; Doris Duke Charitable Foundation; Jerome Robbins Foundation; Consulate General of Israel in New York; in-kind support from Arts & Business Council and Materials for the Arts; our Individual Program Sponsors, Co-Presenting Partners, Community Business Partners, and DNA's community of individual donors. Additional funding for the Fall 2010 season has been provided through the Lower Manhattan Arts League (LoMAL) from American Express; Mertz Gilmore Foundation; and New York Community Trust.

About National Dance Week - NYC
National Dance Week-NYC (NDW-NYC) celebrates the joy and diversity of dance in the NYC community with an exhilarating 10-day festival of FREE dance/fitness classes at noted studios and events in New York City. National Dance Week-NYC believes that dance contributes to the well-being of both the individuals who watch and perform it and to the community at-large. By offering FREE events to the public in different formats and dance styles, the festival brings immense value to the people of New York by encouraging them to be active, to be healthy and to celebrate life. Additionally throughout the year NDW-NYC promotes dance studios and companies through their newsletter, projects, dance/fitness events and partnerships. FitEngine.com proudly sponsors NDW-NYC. Visit www.ndw-nyc.com for more details.