CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

We are thrilled to celebrate 30 years of 92NY Dance Education Laboratory (DEL)!

In 1995, Jody Arnhold founded the Dance Education Laboratory (DEL) at the 92nd Street Y, with Joan Finkelstein as Founding Director and Ann Biddle as Founding Faculty.

Since its inception, DEL has provided a welcoming and inclusive community that nurtures and supports professional learning across the lifespan. DEL’s comprehensive curriculum equips dance educators with the tools they need to succeed in the dance classroom.

Over the years, DEL has remained true to Jody’s vision of providing high-quality professional learning opportunities for dance educators. We have seen the ripple effects as the DEL community has expanded, impacting thousands of children with meaningful dance experiences that spark confidence, creativity, collaboration, and connection throughout New York City public schools and beyond.

Jody Arnhold teaching at P.S. 75 on the Upper West Side in 1982; Credit: Norma Matusewitch
Jody Arnhold teaching at P.S. 75 on the Upper West Side in 1982; Credit: Norma Matusewitch

30 years of Art at the Heart of Teaching™️

Over three decades, DEL has increased its impact by:

  • providing high-quality professional learning in dance education to thousands of dance educators
  • designing and sharing PK-12 free dance education curriculum
  • building a robust roster of dance education courses across grade levels and teaching contexts
  • launching a year-long DEL Institute Teacher Certificate Program for educators around the country and the world
  • supporting dedicated educators with extensive resources and recognition
  • working with professional dance companies to design educational programming
  • developing a DEL Facilitator in Training Program (DEL FIT) 
  • and more!

Through all of this, we’ve stayed true to our founding vision of providing community and advancement for dance educators, and we’ve seen the ripple effects as this community has grown – reaching thousands of children with meaningful dance experiences that spark confidence, creativity, collaboration, and connection.

DEL Class, 1995-1996

DEL's Anniversary Year

This anniversary year is particularly exciting. DEL Facilitators and special guest artists will lead 30 Movement Sentence Choirs across the nation. We’re also celebrating the release of a brand-new book of classic DEL lesson plans and hosting a 30th Anniversary Celebration at 92NY in April 2026.

Looking ahead, our vision remains bold: to ensure dance education for every child, inspire professional development for all dance educators, and create deeper connections between dance education and other dance professions.

Everyone here is part of our continuing story. The work we do together in this course will have a lasting impact on your classroom and contribute to DEL’s global reach. Thank you for helping us build a future where dance education continues to transform lives, one student at a time.​

Join us for special events and offers across the entire 2025-26 season:

30th Anniversary Movement Sentence Choir Project!

To celebrate our 30th Anniversary, we are hosting 30+ Movement Sentence Choirs across the nation in 2025-2026. Check back here as we continue to add events to the calendar!

Dante Puleio of Limón Dance Company leads a DEL Movement Sentence Choir at 92NY; Video by Nel Shelby Productions

Movement Sentence Choir Events

July 11, 2025

Celebrate 30 Years of Joy: Seeking Liberation” at 92NY

A Movement Sentence Choir led by: Caleb Teicher and Taryn Vander Hoop

To kick-off DEL’s 30th Anniversary Movement Sentence Choir project, Choreographer Caleb Teicher and DEL Facilitator Taryn Vander Hoop led a celebratory Movement Sentence Choir using action words: CHASE PUSH JUMP GROOVE.

July 29, 2025

“The Shape of Years” at Vail Dance Festival

A Movement Sentence Choir led by: Larry Keigwin and Taryn Vander Hoop, with the Paul Taylor Dance Company

DEL honored and celebrated Paul Taylor’s 95th birthday with a special Movement Sentence Choir built around the action words: WEAVE SPIRAL FREEZE FLY.

In under two hours, choreographer Larry Keigwin and DEL Facilitator and choreographer Taryn Vander Hoop collaborated with Paul Taylor Dance Company to create this brand-new work. 

September 3, 2025

“Welcome Back!” at University of Maryland

A Movement Sentence Choir led by: Adriane Fang and Beatriz Moreira Leite

Movement Sentence: JUMP GUIDE BOOGIE EMBRACE

September 10, 2025

“Desire to Grow through Dance Education” at Montclair State University

A Movement Sentence Choir led by: Susan Pope, Vicky Batista, Caitlyn Scott, and Kristen Bell

Movement Sentence: WEAVE SPIN EXPAND

September 20, 2025

“Moving Words” at University of Tennesee at Martin’s Department of Visual and Theatre Arts

A Movement Sentence Choir led by: JC Burnett-Gordon

A Movement Sentence Choir celebrating Dance Literacy, Community, and Collective Expression.

Movement Sentence: SOAR SHIFT REACH 

September 28, 2025

“Pathways to Success” at University of Wisconsin – Madison

A Movement Sentence Choir led by: Jared Paul Cataggatan, Katelynne Linder, Brooklyn Russell, and Chell Parkins

Movement Sentence: CONNECT SPREAD SUSTAIN REACH BLOSSOM

October 5, 2025

Movement Sentence Choir at the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) Conference

DEL is thrilled to host a Movement Sentence Choir led by choreographer and Artistic Director Dante Puleio of Limón Dance Company and DEL Facilitator and choreographer Taryn Vander Hoop

October 11, 2025

“Welcome!” at University of California at Santa Barbara

A Movement Sentence Choir led by: Christina Sanchez, Charlotte Breier, Amanda White, and Jillian Silva

Movement Sentence: WAVE GLIDE SHINE SOAR

October 15, 2025

“Restoration & Community” at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Movement Sentence Choir led by: Audrey Garfinkel, Emma Marchi, Maxine Kamen van Westen with Ann Biddle

Movement Sentence: SPIRAL EXPAND PRESS RELEASE

October 24, 2025

“Protection of the Earth” at Manitoba Association of Dance Educators (MADE) Canada

A Movement Sentence Choir led by: Catherine Gallant

Movement Sentence: CONVERGE EXCHANGE SWIRL RISE

October 30, 2025

“Celebrating Milestones” at Thomas Jefferson Elementary

A Movement Sentence Choir led by: Tina Christina-Price

Movement Sentence: RUN SPIN JUMP REACH

November 12, 2025

“Celebración” at Hunter College

A Movement Sentence Choir led by: Ana Nery Fragoso and Priscilla Velazquez

Movement Sentence: CROSS TURN ROLL SLIDE

~ More to be announced! ~

Art at the Heart of Teaching: A Book of DEL Lesson Plans

Jody Gottfried Arnhold’s much anticipated book containing classic DEL lesson plans! 

Jody Gottfried Arnhold and Ann Biddle lead a DEL Essentials course; photo by Cherylynn Tsushima

$30 DEL In-Person Courses!

Join us for specially priced mini courses in person at 92NY!

In-Person

January 24, 2026

DEL on Choreography: Empowering Student Dance-Making

In-Person

February 17, 2026

DEL Dance for Students with Disabilities Workshop

In-Person

Sunday March 1, 2026

DEL x Michelle Dorrance: Rhythm, History, and Innovation

In-Person

April 25, 2026

DEL 30th Anniversary Movement Sentence Choir and Performance

In-Person

April 25, 2026

92NY DEL at 30: Celebrating Three Decades of Transforming Dance Education

DEL Turns 30: A Celebration at 92NY

Save the date, and join us in New York on April 25, 2026 for a joyful celebration of the DEL community, including student performances, short film about DEL’s impact, guest speakers, and more!

PS Next Generation Film Premiere and Celebration at 92NY; Photo by Danica Paulos

Celebrate with us year-round, and receive new and practical dance education resources when you sign up for DEL's email list!

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Banner Image Photo Credit: Cherylynn Tsushima