Institute for Leadership Training

In 2011, Dance/USA launched a national professional dance mentorship program as a pilot, proposed by the Dance/USA Emerging Leaders Task Force. In 2012, with generous lead support by the American Express Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the mentorship grew into the Dance/USA Institute for Leadership Training (DILT) to leverage connections between Dance/USA members and to bolster personal and professional development through one-on-one mentoring relationships.

Based on the applicant pool, a limited number of pairs are matched based on experience, area of interest, personality, geography, and/or professional affiliations by a Dance/USA DILT Selection Committee.

In 2015, the program evolved to focus on shifting patterns of inequity in the dance field by recruiting applicants from diverse communities with a specific interest in supporting emerging leaders of color. The program was open to all, regardless of Dance/USA membership.

In 2021, participating members of the dance community engaged in the Leadership Training Institute, held during the Dance/USA Virtual Conference, and a 6 month one-on-one mentorship experience. DILT emphasizes regular communication between these established leaders (mentors) and emerging leaders (mentees) to foster self-direction, self-reflection, and embracing challenge. The relationships between mentors and mentees can extend beyond geographic boundaries, explore various areas of interest, and provide exposure to opportunities available in the field.

Read the 2021 press release: Dance/USA Announces Tenth Annual Institute for Leadership Training

Read articles FROM THE GREEN ROOM: Dance/USA’s eJournal from past DILT participants:

• Finding an Anchor with a Mentor | September 2011
• Being a Mentor: Expanding the Reach of the Art Form | September 2011
• Connecting with a Mentor Brings Small Details to Light | March 2013
• On Mentorship: Dance as a ‘Handed-Down Form’ | March 2013
• Simple Gifts: The Spirit of Sharing | November 2014
• Mentoring the Next Generation of the Dance Field’s Leaders | February 2017
• Sharing Gratitude: A Mentor and a Mentee Forge a Strong Bond Over Shared Experiences | December 2017
• A Match Made in Heaven: Mentor-Mentee Program Provides Tools to Strengthen Young Dance Leaders | October 2018
• Dance/USA Institute for Leadership Training: Mentors Push Young Leaders Ahead | March 2019
• Dance/USA Institute for Leadership Training Pair: Katerina Wong and Amy Miller | August 2020
• A ‘Beautiful Exchange’: Two Dance Professionals Connect in National Mentorship Program | December 2020

Questions about the program should be sent to Dance/USA’s Office Manager & Board Liaison, Jessica Denson, via email.