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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What is the Fairfax County Dance Coalition?

When was Fairfax County Dance Coalition formed?

What are Fairfax County Dance Coalition’s purposes?

What is the Gala on October 1st & 2nd, 2011?

How does FCDC support advanced dance education?

Who belongs to Fairfax County Dance Coalition?

What are the membership requirements?

How often and where does the Fairfax County Dance Coalition meet?

Who can I talk with about becoming a member of Fairfax County Dance Coalition?

Who attends dance performances in Fairfax County?

What does Fairfax County Dance Coalition hope to achieve by producing the “A Celebration of Dance” Gala?

Why is Fairfax County Dance Coalition so concerned about performance venues for dance in Fairfax County?

What are the current dance performance venues in Fairfax County?

What are the criteria for professional dance performance venues?

What does the dance community mean by the term “dance ecosystem?”

How can dance arts contribute to Fairfax County economics?

How can Fairfax County Dance Coalition increase the visibility, understanding of and access to dance?

What do we mean by Arts Education for Life?

What is the Fairfax County Dance Coalition?

The Fairfax County Dance Coalition (FCDC) is a nonprofit, arts organization that provides a community voice for dance. The FCDC mission is to grow the awareness of and participation in the dance arts by students, audiences and dance companies in Fairfax County. The Coalition focuses on bringing dance arts education and experiences to children and adults, and enriching the cultural fabric of Fairfax County.

When was Fairfax County Dance Coalition formed?

The Fairfax County Dance Coalition formed in 2008 with the support and encouragement of the Arts Council of Fairfax County.

What are Fairfax County Dance Coalition’s purposes?

With the first annual Gala, “A Celebration of Dance,” we are achieving one of our primary purposes to create a new dance community production, which inspires local dance students and performing arts audiences to be a part of making Fairfax County a center for dance excellence. The first Gala was wildly successful. With our second Gala, "Imagination in Motion" we seek to expand upon the vast array of dance organizations by presenting even more dance companies and even more variety.

In addition, our purposes are to:

Build the local dance network for students and organizations
Increase the visibility, understanding and access to dance programs
Increase performance venues for dance
Expand audiences for dance
Expand performance opportunities for advanced and professional dancers
Provide opportunities for choreographers to develop artistic skills
Grow advanced learning opportunities with masters and choreographers
Address issues facing dance arts across the community

What is the Gala on October 1 - 2, 2011?

The Fairfax County Dance Coalition (FCDC) presents its second annual Gala 2011 “A Celebration of Dance in Fairfax County.” Our theme is Imagination in Motion!

This is a unique opportunity to enjoy a showcase of dance styles- ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and Indian dances – with high caliber and dynamic dance talent. Advanced and professional dancers will represent Fairfax County’s dance arts community. Dance enriches the cultural fabric of our communities and this region is rich in dance ability.

Participating dance organizations: BalletNova, Center Stage Dance Company, Classical Ballet Theatre, Dancin’ Unlimited Jazz Dance Company, Dream in Color Foundation – Impact Dance Company, Encore Performers, Kintz - Mejia Academy of Ballet, Lasya Dance Company, Nrityanjali, The Ballet Arts Ensemble of Fairfax, and Virginia Ballet Company.

This is a family oriented show to inspire everyone. Dance enthusiasts of all ages are welcome. Have fun and experience the power of dance!

Performances will be on Saturday, October 1st at 8:00 PM and Sunday, October 2nd 2:00 PM.

General Admission tickets are $15 in advance (FCDC Gala) and $18 at the door. You may purchase tickets through this website online and at participating studios.

The Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus Theatre is located at 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, and is convenient to rout 495 Beltway Exit 52-A.

How does FCDC support advanced dance education?

The Fairfax County Dance Coalition (FCDC) is pleased to present its first award of a $500 scholarship to a 2012 graduating high school senior in one of the FCDC membership dance organizations, who plans to pursue studies in dance. The recipient will be announced at the second annual Gala in October, 2011. Scholarship money must be used for tuition at a college, university, conservatory or summer intensive program for the 2012 - 2013 school year.

Who belongs to Fairfax County Dance Coalition?

Fairfax County Dance Coalition is open to all dance organizations and individuals interested in Fairfax County dance arts. Our Current members include:

BalletNova Center for Dance
Center Stage Dance & Arts Center
Classical Ballet Theatre
Dancin’ Unlimited Jazz Dance Company
Dream in Color Foundation & Studios
Encore Performers
Kintz - Mejia Academy of Ballet
Lasya Dance Company
Nrityanjali
The Center for Ballet Arts
Virginia Ballet Company

What are the membership requirements?

Fairfax County Dance Coalition (FCDC) members are dance organizations, studios, companies, dancers, choreographers and supporters of dance, who

Reside or do business within the boundaries of Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and Falls Church.
Actively participate in Fairfax County Dance Coalition activities or attend at least two FCDC meetings a year.
Include statements of membership in FCDC in programs and advertising materials.
Pay annual membership dues
FCDC recommends that members also join the Arts Council of Fairfax County.

How often and where does the Fairfax County Dance Coalition meet?

The Fairfax County Dance Coalition meets monthly, usually on the first or second Wednesdays of the month, in the morning, at either a Fairfax Public Library site or one of the member studios.

Who can I talk with about becoming a member of Fairfax County Dance Coalition?

At the Fairfax County Dance Coalition website Contact link, you can send us an email and/or complete a membership form. One of the members will contact you to answer questions, talk about current activities and how you can become involved.

Who attends dance performances in Fairfax County?

Dance audiences usually consist of family and friends of the dancers, dancers and choreographers, students, teachers, dance enthusiasts and followers of the dance arts. Fairfax County Dance Coalition wants to expand the audience for dance in the County, attract more people to become involved in Fairfax County dance arts, as students, dance companies, audience members and patrons. The dance arts are hard to follow in Fairfax County, however, because there is No adequate central venue or facility to watch local emerging professional dancers and choreographers perform and create pieces of work.

What does Fairfax County Dance Coalition hope to achieve by producing the “A Celebration of Dance in Fairfax County” Gala?

Fairfax County is rich in dance ability, but we haven’t been promoting it enough. A community dance gala is a unique opportunity to appreciate a showcase of dance styles – ballet, tap, jazz, modern and Indian dances – integrated into a diverse array of dynamic dance talent. There’s something in this family oriented show for everyone.

Advanced and professional dancers from throughout Fairfax County are representing our dance arts community. The dancers themselves are able to meet and watch each other perform, which is very inspiring for students. It provides new models, and generates motivation to continue developing their skills.

Why is Fairfax County Dance Coalition so concerned about performance venues for dance in Fairfax County?

One of the advantages of a dance coalition is developing the ability to address challenges that individual dance organizations can not solve by themselves. The issue that is most difficult to resolve here is the lack of sufficient, available, and affordable performance spaces for our Fairfax County dance organizations.

Our dancers could fill many dance venues with end to end dance performances throughout the year. Fairfax County Dance Coalition wants to raise community awareness of the state of performing arts venues in Fairfax County and promote expansion and improvement of professional level theatre facilities for dance.

Fairfax County needs more technically state of the art venues of varying sizes suitable for dance performances – a 1000 seat theatre, 400 - 600 seats, 200 seats, and the black box type 100 seat theatre. Options include a County Performing Arts Center as well as decentralized County performing arts center locations. The reservation process needs to be consistent and reliable; and the venue costs need to be coverable by ticket prices considered reasonable by most community audiences ($10-$25 per ticket).

What are the current dance performance venues in Fairfax County?

George Mason University Concert Hall and Harris Theatre
Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Campus Theatre
Alden Theatre, McLean
Reston Community Center Stage
Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, City of Fairfax
High School Theatres
Community Theatres

What are the criteria for professional dance performance venues?

Comfortable seating and climate control
Stage dimensions to accommodate full scale production and all forms of art
Proper backstage space and dressing rooms to accommodate full scale production
State of the Art Stage Equipment:
- Proper sprung flooring with "Marley" dance floor covering (flooring is removable for multiple art forms)
- Appropriate theatrical lighting
- Appropriate theatrical sound system
- Adequate Loft/fly space with proper rail and pulley system to accommodate full scale productions and all forms of art
Convenient parking and theatre access
Commitment to multi year reservations

What does the dance community mean by the term “dance ecosystem?”

The dance arts “ecosystem” includes all the educational services, businesses, and events related to dance going on in the community. The Fairfax County dance ecosystem encompasses over 50 dance organizations, including dance studios, schools (e.g., Fairfax High School Academy), College dance programs (e.g., George Mason University), amateur and professional dance companies, and many businesses that support the dance arts, (e.g., retail stores, sports medicine and physical therapy). Dance Companies from the region present professional level productions often in collaboration with other companies and performing artists.

Fairfax County Dance Coalition provides a network of resources for creative collaboration as well as mutual problem solving. Studios operate as small businesses some for profit and some non profit. Studios produce shows, especially recitals, every year. Companies produce shows often in collaboration with other companies and performing artists.

How can dance arts contribute to Fairfax County economics?

Dance studios, as small businesses, serve 200-400 students per year with classes and performance opportunities, and employ part and fulltime dance instructors. Dance Education Organizations present over 100 productions a year, showcasing the talents of several thousand local emerging artists. Audience members buy tickets and increase revenue in area of the venue for food and parking. The strongest audience segment, family and friends of dancers, at 250 per show, therefore numbers more than 25,000. At $15 per ticket, this revenue is significant to the operation & maintenance of local theatres.

Fairfax County Dance Coalition believes that Fairfax County and the surrounding areas can support a New State of the Art Performing Arts Facility. A multiple purpose performance facility could become a hub for art excellence and cultural growth, which would enrich and make the Northern Virginia area a more attractive place to live.

Dance programs bring performance, production, and entertainment business to whatever venues they serve. They attract attention and build energy. They spark imagination and new ideas, advertise, make statements, and support causes.

Fairfax County is already one of the most prominent regions of Virginia and the United States. There are many obvious reasons a company or individual would chose to live within its boundaries including intellectual stimulation. Our current dance companies are attracting some new professional dancers to the area. We are, however, sending more of our home grown superb dancers to other major cities because we don’t have enough dance opportunities to keep them.

Fairfax County has excellent studios, instructors, choreographers, and students. We are only missing a flexible range of venues available to practice and perform our art.

Dance is an art form that needs live audiences and appropriate, safe performance spaces. Other than ourselves, the space is our instrument, just as the piano is to the musician. Without that, the existence of quality dance in Fairfax County is greatly diminished and the dance arts are absent from the cultural and economic fabric of our community.

How can Fairfax County Dance Coalition increase the visibility, understanding of and access to dance?

Fairfax County Dance Coalition strives to be a community ambassador for dance arts. Dance organization directors and volunteers who participate in coordinating various Fairfax County Dance Coalition activities are developing a network of resources for creative collaboration as well as mutual problem solving. We foster development of network connections among Fairfax County dance and other performing arts groups. Each year we set objectives to build our capacity as an organization to:

Develop sponsorship options and implement fundraising activities to support dance arts.
Bring dance and dance education to youth unable to participate in dance.
Collaborate with schools, universities, and communities to encourage arts education for life.

What do we mean by Arts Education for Life?

Dance, without question, is an important creative outlet for children and teens. The benefits to individuals include structure and discipline that they accept and welcome. Dance contributes to social and emotional health, and physical fitness for all ages. We know that in the early stages of child development, rhythmic movement comes naturally and represents positive feelings. To cultivate this natural euphoria at an early age would require that dance programs are made available within the schools and community centers for all students.

Dance is a gateway to music and visual arts. Dance has a foundation in music and is enhanced by colorful costumes both original and cultural. Dance is also a great segue way to building interest in other areas of study such as history and literature. Some children are visual learners and are better able to grasp lessons expressed in creative ways beyond lecture. As well, dance bridges cultural barriers. Like music, it is a neutral meeting ground for acceptance of our differences as people. A dance performance offers opportunities for collaboration. There opportunities for students to contribute creatively on multiple levels such as costume design, music selection, stage production, speaking to an audience, performing, etc.

Building healthy minds and bodies is vital to ensuring that students are able to perform at full capacity. Students that participate in dance programs are much more aware of their energy levels, general appearance, and posture. Dance students learn to focus their will and stretch their attention spans. They learn to focus on the leadership and knowledge of their instructors and translate the information to movement. This discipline transfers to other academic areas because the process of learning becomes a natural state of mind.

Dance students learn to present themselves well. They develop stage presence and the ability to overcome minor issues and challenges so the show can go on. Dance students must develop effective organization and time management skills. This is a lifelong habit they learn early in any dance program. Timing is in the music.

Dance students are rarely arrested for crimes related to boredom and restlessness. They strive to better themselves because it reflects in their performances, therefore most attend higher education programs after high school. They are much more selective of their friends and those they associate with. They respect one another and operate successfully in environments where a wide range of personalities are integrated such as a class room.

An Americans for the Arts Monograph stated that young people who participate in dance through at least one full year are:

4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement;
3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools;
4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair;
3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance;
4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem;
4 times more likely to perform community service.

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