DEL Foundations

The DEL Foundations online course provides an overview of the key components of the nationally acclaimed DEL model of teaching dance in a wide variety of learning contexts. This 10-week asynchronous course is based on the highly popular DEL Foundations course that has been taught at DEL 92NY in New York City since DEL’s inception in 1995. Developed by DEL Founder, Jody Gottfried Arnhold with Ann Biddle as Founding Faculty, the course has evolved and adapted over its long history. This current iteration has been updated by Ann Biddle and Catherine Gallant and reflects current 21st-century dance education practice and pedagogy.

Updated and modified as an asynchronous learning experience, participants in this course explore DEL’s comprehensive and inclusive model of dance education. Participants will be introduced to the DEL Dance Framework, based on LMA as applied to dance education, as an organizing system for dynamic dance making and scaffolded lesson planning. Participants interact in the online community by engaging in collaborative dance making, practice teaching, and self and peer reflection. In addition, participants gain an understanding of broad developmental benchmarks and effective and inspired teaching strategies to support diverse learners in a culturally responsive environment and align with local, state and/or national dance standards. Finally, participants in this course articulate a vision statement that represents their core Teacher’s Heart and consider applications of the DEL Model to one’s unique teaching context.

The DEL Foundations curriculum is aligned with the NYC Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts: Dance Pre-K – 12 and the National Core Arts Standards in Dance (NCCAS).

Please note: This course is offered asynchronously through DEL’s online learning management system. Access to the course opens to participants at 8 am ET. Students taking the course for SUNY ESU credit are expected to complete assignments on a weekly basis. Audit students may access course materials at their leisure and are not expected to complete course assignments.

Course scholarships and discounts are available! Learn more about scholarship opportunities here. 

Must register by Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

Photo Credit: Whitney Browne for Nel Shelby Productions

Meet Your Instructors

Jody Gottfried Arnhold

Jody Gottfried Arnhold, MA, CMA, Founder of Dance Education Laboratory (DEL) at 92Y, is a luminary in dance education and an advocate for dance. She created DEL in response to the need for a practical and focused dance pedagogy program. Through DEL, Jody aims to inspire and prepare teachers to...

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Ann Biddle

ANN BIDDLE M.A., has been a dance educator, staff developer, curriculum consultant, writer, and choreographer for the past 30 years. She is currently Professional Learning and Curriculum Senior Consultant for the 92NY Dance Education Laboratory (DEL). As the Founding Faculty of DEL at the 92nd St Y with Jody Gottfried...

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Catherine Gallant

Catherine Gallant, MFA was the assistant director at 92Y Harkness Dance Center from 1994-96 just as DEL was beginning and has been on the faculty of the Dance Education Laboratory since 2003. She has presented her work at 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center, WestFest and American Dance Guild. Recently...

Read More About Catherine Gallant