About UDEO
The Utah Dance Education Organization was created in 2000 as a state affiliate of the National Dance Education Organization. The membership began with just a few members, who were primarily modern dance educators from secondary and higher education. UDEO now has members from all sectors of dance education: K-12, University/College, Private Studios, Professional Companies, Community Groups, Independent Artists, and Students; and from most dance genres: Modern, Ballet, Folk, and Jazz.
We Focus on Professional Development
Part of UDEO's focus has been to provide professional development conferences and workshops for dance educators in the state. UDEO has brought national and internationally recognized artists to Utah, including: Murray Louis, Anne Green Gilbert, Chuck Davis, Gregg Lizzenbury, Lily Yeh, Alonzo King, Sylvia Waters, Liz Lerman, and Maida Withers.
Since its inception, UDEO has produced Spring Conferences, Fall Workshops, High School Dance Festivals, Junior High / Middle School Day of Dance Workshops, and has collaborated with daCi Utah to produce Day of Dance Festivals, and with Creative Arts Academy to produce the inaugural Utah Dance Festival for Private Studios.
Mission & Goals
Utah Dance Education Organization (UDEO) is dedicated to the art form of dance as an essential educational component of life-long learning. The primary Goals of UDEO include:
Goal 1
UDEO will develop a membership comprised of dancers, educators, choreographers, presenters, collaborative artists, administrators, dance companies educational institutions, and advocates. This will provide an opportunity for increased effectiveness in networking, advocacy for dance, dissemination of information, and communication.
Goal 2
UDEO will improve the quality and training of dance education in Utah by providing opportunities for creating, performing, and observing dance for all. The organization will address professional development, research and documentation, assessment and leadership.
Goal 3
UDEO will build and support a Utah dance community that focuses on the education of the whole person in and through dance as an art and as a cultural manifestation.
Executive Board
President
Courtney Miller Pearce
info@udeo.org
President-Elect
Kori Wakamatsu
info@udeo.org
Treasurer
Tess Boone
treasurer@udeo.org
Secretary
Victoria Bean
info@udeo.org
General Board
Elementary Rep - Melissa Holm
elementaryrep@udeo.org
Jr. High Rep - Amber Wade
jrhighrep@udeo.org
High School Rep - Jennie Grimes
highschoolrep@udeo.org
Higher Education Rep - Cat Kamrath Monson
higheredrep@udeo.org
Professional/Private Sector Rep - Heather Norton
privatesectorrep@udeo.org
Advocacy Director - Rachel Hafen
advocacy@udeo.org
Publicity & Marketing Director - Kayden Woolsten
publicity@udeo.org
Conference Chair - Meghan Wall
conference@udeo.org
Conference Chair-Elect -
conference@udeo.org
High School Festival Chair - Madisen Jones
highschoolfestival@udeo.org
High School Festival Chair-Elect - Jocelyn Smith
highschoolfestival@udeo.org
NHSDA Chair - Emily German
nhsda@udeo.org
Staff
Executive Assistant/Webmaster - Sean Guymon
webmaster@udeo.org
We know how much you serve your community.
Let us serve you.
We are a group of volunteers committed to celebrating, educating, and advocating for dance as an art form that enhances life for anyone and everyone. We hope you’ll join us!