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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.
Watch Oral Histories
Past Honorees

Education Guides

The Dance Archive 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
  • Modern Dance in Colorado
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.
Contact for Curriculum

Legends of Dance

Living Legends

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.

Experience the rich history of Colorado dance and movement through the stories of living legends.
Watch Oral Histories
Past Honorees

Posthumous Legend Recognition

As the Legends of Dance awards recognize living individuals, starting in 2024 The Dance Archive board also honors individuals who are no longer living. This posthumous recognition is presented at the Legends of Dance event to someone who has passed within the last five years. These individuals demonstrated sustained and significant contributions to dance in the state of Colorado during their lifetime.

Recognitions
  • 2025 – Kay Henderson
  • 2024 – Barbara Demaree

Emerging Leader in Dance Recognition

In 2024, The Dance Archive established the Emerging Leader in Dance Recognition. Emerging Leaders have demonstrated leadership through dedication to and achievement in dance and movement in the state of Colorado and share a potential for future transformative impact on dance in the state of Colorado.
Emerging Leaders
  • 2025 – Mimi Ferrie
  • 2024 – Michelle Bernier
SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE

Support Legends of Dance

Sponsorships are now available for our signature event, Legends of Dance. Through three different levels, sponsors can reap the rewards of celebrating the Colorado dance community.

  • Join in the recognition and presentation of the Legends of Dance cohort
  • Learn about Colorado dance history from highlight videos of the interviews
  • Attend the reception and engage with the Colorado dance community
  • Enjoy performances from past Legends of Dance honorees
Questions? Contact [email protected].
Learn More
Nominations due may 4th

Emerging Leader in Dance
Nominations Open!

In 2024, The Dance Archive established the “Emerging Leader in Dance” recognition, highlighting emerging leaders in Colorado dance. One “Emerging Leader” (individual or organization) is selected by the TDA board from nominations each year and recognized as part of our Legends of Dance event. Emerging leaders will receive a $1,000 financial award in recognition of their accomplishments to date and continued investment in their future work.

Nomination Form
Legends of dance ceremony October 18, 2026

Congratulations to the 2026
Legends of Dance!

Allie Coppeak- Dance philanthropist and arts administator
Janice Guy-Sayles- Choreographer, Dancer, Dance educator
Bobbie Jaramillo- Co-Director of Littleton Ballet Academy
Amy Kenney- Master Pointe Shoe Fitter, Dancewear Boutique owner of Boulder Body Wear
Namita Khanna Nariani- Creator of Mudra Dance Studio, celebrating East Indian cultural diversity using the medium of dance and music

Press Release

Education

The Dance Archive has lessons based on archival content as a novel way to engage students through visual imagery and movement-based active learning.

The lessons are organized around the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) standards and can be adapted for any grade level.

Lessons include

American Folk Dancing

Mexican Folklorico and Danza Azteca

Modern Dance in Colorado

Holocaust Module

African-American Based Dance Forms

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Another Call to Action

Nominations Are Open

LEGENDS OF DANCE

 Since 2004, the Legends of Dance in Colorado program has honored people who have made outstanding contributions to dance in the Rocky Mountain West. Honorees represent the depth and diversity of Colorado’s vibrant dance and support community. Nominees could include dancers, choreographers, teachers, artistic directors, patrons, and promoters from all over the state whose careers span years of proven importance. 

Nominations are due MARCH 1

Criteria includes but is not limited to:

  • The individual is still living and/or the organization is still in operation.
  • Significant and sustained impact on dance in the state of Colorado
  • Diversity in: Dance styles/forms, Geographic representation within the state, Racial/ethnic/cultural diversity, and Gender diversity
Nomination Form
PDF of Questions

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:

  • Demonstrated leadership through dedication to and achievement in dance and movement in the state of Colorado
  • Developing and/or organizing an existing or emerging dance/movement organization, with a preference for work that demonstrates innovation, experimentation, and access
  • Exceptional service and commitment to dance/movement
  • Potential for future transformative impact on dance in the state of Colorado
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion

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.

Nomination Form

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.

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
Nomination Form
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.

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!

  • Learn about Colorado dance history from highlight videos with honorees
  • Post show reception catered by Two Sistahs
  • Enjoy performances from past Legends of Dance including: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Zikr Dance Ensemble, Amy Anderson and Gregory Gonzales, Colorado Ballet Society, Nancy Cranbourne, Kim Robards Dance, and Hannah Kahn Dance Company
Purchase Tickets

The Dance Archive would like to thank the following sponsors:

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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A Dance Resource for All

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2150 East Evans Avenue • Denver, Colorado 80208
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