ABOUT

Making a DIFference with Dance

Who We Are

It is an exciting time for us at Dance It Forward (Greater York Dance). We are full of new energy as we dance into the future. As 2020-2022 unfolded, we felt like what we did was on pause. Even though we went virtual and literally never stopped dancing, the lives of our dance families had drastically changed. As we focused forward, we identified that it was time for a gradual name change as well. We adopted the name DANCE IT FORWARD to better express where we plan to go.  We have assessed that dancing it forward is what we to do every day! This translates to making dance available to everyone in bigger and better ways. We continue to define this along with the needs of our community.


We are currently asking ourselves questions like:

  • How will the dance arts help to achieve change for the better in our community?
  • What can we do as the leaders in dance education in our area to impact both individuals and groups?
  • How will we know when that change is happening?
  • What role in the future of dance in America do we wish to play?


So when you hear us say Dance It Forward, it's our new name and also synonymous with Greater York Dance!  The FUTURE OF DANCE is really HERE, and it is bright as we strive to Making a DIFference with Dance!!! We have been dancing for over 53 years, and there isn’t anything better than to be taught by the best faculty who live to love and inspire their students! Since Shana Garling started the school in 1971, we have always been about sharing our LOVE OF DANCE. As our community’s 501(c)3 nonprofit dance organization, we hope you will take advantage of our passion and DANCE YOUR LIFE with us.


Our Approach to Dance

We house both recreational and pre-professional intensities of training in a passionate, joyful and professional atmosphere. Our fine tuned programs allow students to express themselves and to study a broad range of styles with a solid foundation in Ballet and Dance. Our goal is to provide inspiration and education to our students in an environment of health. As you explore our programs, you will learn about our school divisions:  The School of Early Childhood, The School of Ballet and The School of Commercial Dance.  At Greater York Dance, you will choose your schedule based on what styles of dance you enjoy and wish to pursue.


Our Commitment to Quality

We have several local, national and international partnerships in place in order to give you the best the dance world has to offer. The American Academy of Ballet and the ballet teachings of Holly Mora, Marcia Dale Weary, Richard Cook, Flora Mae Gillespie, Caroline Delone and Margaret McCann, all mentors of Artistic Director, Lori Atwood, is the foundation of the The School of Ballet. We are fortunate to have a wealth of knowledge the teaching of ballet as we pass down the traditions of this beautiful art.


Parents are welcome to relax in our huge waiting area while their child is in class and enjoy coffee and WiFi. Multiple viewing windows make it a perfect family event. Our goal for our student performances is including everyone in our productions. They are not lengthy "recitals."  : )  We hope that each and everyone feels seen and valued. Greater York Dance is a place of meeting new friends, growing as individuals and a part of a community where excellence is integrated. We instill values such as integrity, work ethic, confidence, inspiritng others with a deep appreciation for the arts. 


Our Early Childhood Program faculty is led by individuals certified to teach ~ Kylah Bachman, Emma McClure, Brenna Meaney. Also on faculty is Pastelle Pergament, certified in OUB, and has extensive training in classical ballet. She is certified by test to teach by Dance Educators of America and continues her education in the Russian Ballet syllabus and the American Academy of Ballet along with having a certification in both Progressing Contemporary Technique and the prestigious 4Pointe Program. Our dynamic teaching artists truly care for the youngest students making them feel seen, guided and motivated  with their love of dance.


The School of Commercial Dance boasts outstanding broadway style production numbers and often Disney Kids Musicals and has talented and educated instructors like former NFL Baltimore Ravens Cheerleader,
Jennah Gerhart on our faculty and Morgan Lindsell. Jennah brings the latest in Jazz, Contemporary, Pom Squad & Cheer and Precision Dance. Morgan is a graduate of Pointe Park University with a degree in Dance. Also bringing the hottest hip hop and breakdance classes is Anwar Berry who travels from New York each week to enthusiastically teach his York County students.


Our PERFORMING COMPANY EXPERIENCE brings you pre-professional Performance Training through the Midstate Ballet, ProTrack, NHSDA Ensemble Commercial Track, and the GYD Crew, all very active in our community.


Many of our young dancers will have their first performance in the 
Nutcracker Ballet  (held at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts) or enjoy dancing in one of our many other shows.  We love to celebrate and share family joy and student achievement. Thousands will watch our dancers and be taken away with the arts and applaud a well-deserved “thank you” for a job well done. It all starts with small beginnings and ends as we proudly watch our students thrive in dance when they graduate to go onward and reach for their goals. We are equally proud of those who may only study with us for a brief period of time. You see, our joy is to share this extraordinary art form. 


Community Service & Leadership

National Honor Society for Dance Arts, Greater York Chapter


Founded by NDEO in 2005, the National Honor Society for Dance Arts has many exciting benefit for our students. It allows us to celebrate the artistic and academic achievements of exceptional dance students and helps to create honor, prestige and reward.


Benefits for Students

Student induction into the NHSDA is awarded on the basis of points earned for meritorious work in dance. Other factors may include the following: dance class grade point average, cooperative teamwork, motivation, outreach, choreography, performance, teaching and production. Inductees receive a Certificate of Membership, added prestige in scholarship applications and future resumes, wear NHSDA honor cords and gold honor pins during graduation ceremonies and are eligible to apply for the NDEO Artistic Merit, Leadership and Academic Achievement Award. NHSDA members have taught free after school ballet and dance lessons to students at many area schools.


NHSDA Ensemble


We do many great things for our community! Members have collected Toys for Tots, which was timed to coincide with our annual production of The Nutcracker. Our members gathered more than 180 toys for needy children in our community during their month long campaign. Our outreach projects and performances included the United Way Kickoff, Spruced Up, blankets made for flood victims and gift bags as holiday gifts for children in need, Dance It Forward Food Drive, Light Up York, Baby & Kids Expo, York Symphony Children’s Concert, and the Degas Project, a joint collaboration with the York Arts Association and Cultural Alliance of York. Individually, our members also dedicated many hours of service to the community. Some of the agencies included Leg Up Farm, York Rescue Mission, and Make-A-Wish. Members have also provided leadership to several area high school dance teams and student governments. Most of our NHSDA members dance about 20 hours per week with the resident company, Midstate Ballet, while maintaining an aggregate GPA of 3.0.


We believe that art is an essential part of any community and strives to bring the art of dance to all people.


We have collaborated with artists and artistic organizations, as well as nonprofit community groups, public and private schools, and service providers to offer dance education classes, lectures and performances in an effort to enrich the lives of others by passing the joy of dance forward.

A variety of options are available through this project.


  • A School Year Program provides dance classes to students. Workshops may also be offered that provide instruction only or combined with a performance opportunity.
  • Workshops can create a residency program specifically suited for school, grade-level and individual student or classes of students in schools.
  • Pre-Performance Intros To Dance ~ Prior to some performances, free dance classes are held based on the theme of the performances.
  • Family Dance ~ We create dance classes for entire families to dance together.
  • DancExperience is an after school program and a unique way that we provide students aged 7-12. Students receive training from our professional faculty and experienced student leaders who are introduced to dance and movement free of charge; the experience often finishes with an onstage performance.
  • Field Trips offer a professional performance just for students. They visit the theatre or our studios for a daytime, educational version of one of our current ballets or productions. Both students and teachers may have the opportunity to ask dance professionals and pre-professional students during a live Q & A.


Role modeling empowers young people to make smart choices that put them on a better path in life. This occurs naturally in our  programs  as advanced students of the school, members of the National Honor Society of Dance Arts, often assist in teaching. We invite children to learn about the fascinating, creative world of dance every chance we have!  We pride ourselves in sharing what we love most with educators and their students through in-school residencies, lecture demonstrations and other school programs.

Everyone should be able to dance. 

We Dance It Forward to express our passion of dance

because we know what positive change it can bring. 

Dance changes lives.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Leadership consists of passionate community leaders who know the difference that dance and the arts can make in the lives of everyone. 


Terrance Atwood

Barbara Knox

Laura McClure

Duane Swartz

Shana Garling, Founding Director (1971-2020)
Beth Herbst, Trustee Emeritus




Lori Atwood

Artistic Director

MELINDA FRITZ

Executive Director

CORISSA FETROW

Board Chair

Shana Garling founded Greater York Dance in 1971. She served for 49 years, and we thank her for her passion for dance and children. She believed in kindness and has passed her loving ways onto the very heart of Greater York Dance and all we do. We curtsey to you, Shana... we know that you are dancing with us in heaven. Know, dear Shana, that you were loved and respected and that we choose to dance now in honor of you.

Alumni

We are a dance family. Alumni, please
ask to join our Alumni Facebook Page.

Join With Alumni

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