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A Brief History The Philadelphia Dance Company is a fully professional modern contemporary performing company and has for 30 years been held in high esteem nationally and internationally for its artistic integrity and superbly trained dancers. Described by many as a company whose energy is unparalleled, with technical abilities to match, Philadanco continues to thrill audiences across America and throughout the world. Now in its 30th anniversary season with adventurous choreography, bright new talent and favorite dances, treasured by aficionados worldwide, the company is forming exciting new partnerships and building artistic bridges to the future. Philadanco's history is characterized by many dramatic innovations with varying degrees of success. Having grown from a grass roots performing group into one of America's foremost dance ensembles today, Philadanco exists as a model for emerging companies and honors its great mandate to sustain and develop itself for the future. Founder Joan Myers Brown's unequivocal business acumen and artistic perception has forged a strong organization to support the artistic integrity, performance excellence, thriving talent and excitement that is Philadanco. The company's appearances at New York's Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, The Joyce New Victory and Delacorte Theatres, in Bermuda and the Caribbean, in Great Britain, throughout Europe and Asia, have strengthened the company's widespread appeal and confirmed its critical and popular success. Most recently, the innovative four year Second City Project with Pittsburgh Dance Council broadens Philadanco's statewide impact. Lecture/Demonstrations through Young Audiences Inc. and the Institute for Arts and Education providing opportunities for Philadanco to extend its artistry through performance in schools and community centers in the Philadelphia region and beyond. The company has been featured in concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra and with world-renowned celebrity artists. Developing and piloting new programming and initiatives is not new to Philadanco. In 1981 the company was one of only 15 organizations awarded a prestigious National Choreography Planning Grant. They organized the historic first two International Conferences for Black Dance Companies with over 75 representatives convening in Philadelphia to access the status of Blacks in Dance. Since then more than 600 people assemble annually for the formal International Conference on Black Dance. Philadanco hosted the eighth conference in 1995 and presented 27 international dance companies in performance. Twenty-five years ago, Philadanco was the first to be included in the Governor's Pilot Program (CETA) for Instruction and Training and in 1981 the Company was the first area dance organization to purchase its own corporate headquarters and studio facility. In 1986 Philadanco created the first artist-housing program in the city for its dancers. Currently, a major capital campaign is targeted to further enlarge their facilities, to develop their operating capacity and to increase their endowment. Through their four flagship components, the Performing Company, "Danco II", the Instruction and Training Program and the Children's Program, Philadanco delivers high caliber instruction to area youth and brilliant performances to enthusiastic audiences. They are the Company of Choice for dancers sought after by other major dance organizations and are selected by many aspiring young dancers. In short, the Philadelphia Dance Company is a national treasure. |
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