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October 20, 2024

Legends of dance

2024 Honorees
Grupo Tlaloc
Jo Bunton Keel
Nancy McElroy
Christina Noel Adcock
Yunyu Wang
Rhetta Williams Shead

Legends of Dance has something for everyone!

The Dance Archive would like to thank the following sponsors:

Get TO Know

The Dance Archive

The Dance Archive is accepting nominations for the 2024 Legends of Dance. Previously nominated individuals will be considered but will require a new 2024 nomination submission. Nominees are judged on Legends of Dance criteria.
Nominations are due February 29
Note: It is not required that Legends of Dance be dancers or performers – we have honored producers, directors, philanthropists, photographers, and people in other fields who have made significant and sustained impacts on dance in the state.

Nominations Are Open

Emerging Leader in Dance

The Dance Archive is establishing the Emerging Leader in Dance recognition, highlighting innovative leaders in Colorado dance. One Emerging Leader in Dance (individual or organization) is selected by the TDA board from nominations, and recognized as part of our Legends of Dance event. Emerging Leaders in Dance will receive a $1,000 financial award in recognition of their accomplishments to date and continued investment in their future work.

Nominations are due May 17

Criteria includes but is not limited to:

Nominations welcome for individuals and organizations at all stages of life; this award does not have an age range or limit 

Self-nominations accepted. Letters of recommendation (at least 2) required for self-nominations.

Note: Receipt of financial recognition requires recipient to set up as a contractor with the University of Denver. Recipients are responsible for reporting this income as a part of the tax process.

Ceremony October 20, 2024

Joan Cooper Brown Endowed Fund

Joan Brown, long-time TDA Board member, announced the Joan Cooper Brown Endowment for the Legends of Dance at the 2024 Legends celebration on October 20.  The funds will be used to cover the expenses for the performances at Legends of Dance celebrations. While Brown created the endowment with her initial gift, it is open for donations from anyone in the community. Click the button below to donate any amount to help continue this entertaining part of the celebrations. 

“I believe that Legends has become an honored recognition in the Colorado dance community. We can now showcase dancer performances by Legends Alumni in the program, demonstrating the outstanding talent in our state. We strive to represent the best of dance in Colorado.” – Joan Brown

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Join Us

A diverse variety of options.  The Dance Archive offers programs that celebrate the contributions of dance in Colorado, and offers curriculum to engage students of all ages in movement-based learning.

Legends of Dance

Since 2004, the annual Legends of Dance in Colorado honors individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to dance in our state. As part of being a Legend of Dance, an oral history is recorded with each honoree. The oral histories are available online in our digital repository.
Living Legends
Experience the rich history of Colorado dance and movement through the stories of living legends.
Past Honorees

Education Guides

Are you interested in providing your students with new and interesting lesson content? The Dance Archive at the University of Denver has lessons based on archival content as a novel way to engage students through visual imagery and movement-based active learning.
Lessons include
  • American Folk Dancing
  • African-American Based Dance Forms
  • Folklorico
  • Dancing Through Time
  • Holocaust Studies
Participating teachers will receive a stipend. All lessons noted above are organized around the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) standards and can be adapted for any grade level. The Holocaust module follows the CDE history standards. All other lessons follow the CDE dance standards. Additional lessons can be created based on individual requests by teachers.
Support Our VisionContribute

Looking for a way to contribute? Our patrons are vital to the work of The Dance Archive. Learn how you can help us be the most comprehensive and significant dance resource center in the American West.

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