Photo by Ron Valle

Dayton Dance Initiative is an independent collective of professional dancers from the Dayton area. We strive to create a platform for artists to explore their choreographic sides, collaborate with dancers of different styles, and bring our community together through our art form.

MISSION

Our mission is to provide professional dancers a platform to collaborate and create with artists outside their own company or genre while deepening the Dayton community’s interaction with the art of dance. 

Dayton Dance Initiative is completely dancer led, giving our artists skills not only in choreographing, but in running an organization through financing, marketing, and leading. The support of our donors, sponsors, and community is what makes Dayton Dance Initiative possible.

BACKGROUND

DDI was founded by former Dayton Ballet dancer Jocelyn Watson, who had a vision of collaboration with the other talented dancers in Dayton, namely the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Through Dayton Dance Initiative, dancers hailing from both companies have the opportunity to work together and create works on artists from different backgrounds. We are joined by Arthur Murray Dance Center: Dayton, whose partnership has provided further opportunities for our dancers to expand their repertoire, experience, and love of dance.

VISION

Our vision for DDI is to fully fill the gaps that exist in a dancer’s typical contract, where they may need to find employment outside of dance and/or Dayton. DDI will provide well paid, safe, and quality employment as well as artistic freedom dancers need in order to thrive in this career. We envision a meaningful and personal audience to artist connection where we work together to grow opportunities for everyone in Dayton to experience the power of dance.  

How we’re moving