We have good news to report. The California Dance Education Association is fiscally healthy with a committed membership and robust advocacy efforts at state, county and local levels. Thank you for your continued support for the ONLY state professional organization serving the interests of dance educators in California.

This year, instead of holding state conferences, we plan to focus on building our membership’s presence at the National Education Organization’s 12th Annual National Conference “Creativity, Innovation and 21st Century Skills," which will be held October 20-24, 2010 at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. Proposals to present a paper, panel discussion, movement session or workshop are due April 1, 2010.

You know you do good work. We do too! But what about everybody else? We strongly encourage the California dance community to share their work at this major (and nearby) venue. We need to show the nation and the international community what Californians do for dance and dance education at all levels!

To help prepare, the CDEA Board will hold FREE “Proposal Writing Workshops” to assist in developing excellent proposals. Our board understands the process, we have participated on NDEO’s adjudication committee, and we have presented at numerous conferences. We are excited to share this insider knowledge with our members and nonmembers alike!

We plan to offer six workshops across California in early 2010. We are asking our individual and institutional members to support us in building a strong California contingent by

1. sponsoring a proposal writing workshop at your institution;
2. encouraging your colleagues and students to attend a workshop;
3. getting the word out through your personal dance networks.

As all those who attended NDEO’s conference in NYC last June 2009 will tell you, the national conference is a mind/body expanding, professionally transforming, and really fun event. Last year, there were over 50 movement classes and over 100 presentations, plus performances, receptions and networking opportunities galore. Attending an NDEO conference means your network immediately expands beyond California to include top dancers and dance educators from across the globe!

Presenting at an NDEO conference not only expands your mind/body and network, it literally makes you “known” to key policy-makers, grantors, and colleagues from around the world. Anyone who has sat on a panel that grants awards to artists and educators knows that, more often than not, the size of a grant is in direct proportion to the size of that individual’s audience and network of colleagues. The more people who know you and your work, the more likely you will be supported to do the work you love. 

With annual national conferences, NDEO offers us an amazing opportunity and, this year, CDEA is working to help all California dancers and dance educators make the most of it. If you are interested in sponsoring, participating in or simply getting the word out, please contact us at our info@cdeadance.org email. 

We look forward to hearing from you. Happy Thanksgiving!

Shana Habel, Co-President, Southern California
Ted Warburton, Co-President, Northern California

"LUNA KIDS DANCE" IS HIRING
(Berkeley)

Luna is now hiring teaching artists to start January 2010. Luna’s teaching positions involve teaching in any of the following model programs of the CIDL: studio laboratory, early childhood, school-based or MPACT (Moving Parents and Children Together) in accordance with Luna Kids Dance philosophy.

Teachers at Luna also provide administrative support, coordinate projects, manage programs, document their work with students and teachers, engage in active inquiry with peers and commit to ongoing professional development.

Requirements:

• Completion of entire LKD workshop series, or intention to do so
• Minimum 4 years experience teaching dance to children
• Adherence to LKD teaching philosophy
• Ability to work as vibrant team member of learning organization
• MA, MFA or BA, BFA with equivalent work, education, life experience relevant to mission and vision of organization
• Ability to take personal responsibility for work product and decisions
• Good verbal and writing skills, people skills
• Able to work some Saturdays and evenings if scheduled
• Access to vehicle
• Minimum 2-year commitment
• Spanish speakers encouraged to apply

Compensation: Starting salary $40,000 (+) based on full-time equivalent-negotiated to percent of time and commensurate with experience, and position. Benefits include paid collaboration, meeting & staff development; 9 paid holidays; sick leave; paid time off/vacation; retirement; health and vision insurance plan. Some benefits dependent on percentage of work. If you are interested in applying for such a possibility, please send your resume to our Manager of Model Programs - Danae Rees: drees@lunakidsdance.org.

Deadline for Applications: Friday December 4th, 2009 by 4pm. You may even want to consider attending a CIDL activity this fall to learn more about us. If you would like more information about working for Luna, please email Danae Rees.

NO DANCING AT THE MANDRAKE
(Los Angeles)