NATIONAL DANCE EDUCATION ORGANIZATION
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY FOR DANCE ARTS
All CDDS Level 1-5 & Company dancers in grades 6-12 are invited to apply for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) is a program of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO), created to recognize outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in students studying dance in public and private schools in K-12 education, dance studios, cultural/community centers, performing arts organizations, and post-secondary education.
The Carolyn Dutra Dance Studio is proud to sponsor both a junior (grades 6-8) and a secondary (9-12) chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. The CDDS NHSDA includes individuals who represent commitment to dance as a means to further their education, leadership, and the importance of community involvement.
Dance For Art supports the CDDS chapter of NHSDA by covering staffing and induction fees, and more!
As a CDDS NHSDA Chapter Member, students:
Induction into the NHSDA is earned through :
Mission
Establishing an NHSDA chapter in your school is one very important way that you can help advance the field of dance education. Celebrating the artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievements of exceptional dance students helps to create honor and prestige within our field and improve our image to those outside the field, and offers benefits for students, institutions, and the field at large.
Student Benefits
Dance For Art fully sponsors the cost of the CDDS NDEO chapter which includes staffing, induction fees, etc.
- Must be active CDDS dancers in grades 6–12 with a minimum 3.0 academic GPA
- Serve as leaders and role models who balance dance and academics successfully
- Act as demonstrators, dance captains, company representatives, and NHSDA Student Board Members
- Coordinate and participate in community service initiatives such as:
- Down Syndrome Awareness Walk
- NHSDA events such as: Love Your Body Week Dance A Difference Week
- Studio fundraiser events, like the Halloween Party for DFA
- Donation drives, like food and diapers
- Receive performance opportunities, including a student-choreographed routine at the CDDS/DFA Awards Banquet
- NHSDA Student Board Members lead the chapter in a student choreographed routine performed at the Awards Banquet.
- Members attend approximately 10 hours of rehearsals for this piece
- Costume fee applies
- Become eligible for scholarships and national recognition through the National Dance Education Organization
- And more! This program continues to grow each year.
Induction into the NHSDA is earned through :
- The accumulation of points awarded for dance activities such as class hours, community service activities, performances, rehearsals, research, or workshops. CDDS provide opportunities to earn such points through: fundraisers, drives, volunteer and performance opportunities.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0
- Demonstration of collaborative teamwork, motivation, and leadership in the many aspects of dance
Mission
- To recognize outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in students studying dance in public and private schools in K-12 education, dance studios, cultural/community centers, performing arts organizations, and post-secondary education.
- To foster an appreciation for dance as a true art form and one worthy of recognition and prestige.
Establishing an NHSDA chapter in your school is one very important way that you can help advance the field of dance education. Celebrating the artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievements of exceptional dance students helps to create honor and prestige within our field and improve our image to those outside the field, and offers benefits for students, institutions, and the field at large.
Student Benefits
- Recognition of their artistic merit, academic achievement, and leadership throughout their educational experience (Junior High – Collegiate).
- Certificates at each level of induction, opportunity to receive the gold Honor Pin and wear the blue and white Honor Cord and/or Medallion at graduation.
- Mentorship from Chapter Sponsor and networking with peers.
- Leadership and development opportunities within their NHSDA Chapter, as they can assist the Chapter Sponsor with Chapter administration, record keeping, fundraising, and event planning.
Dance For Art fully sponsors the cost of the CDDS NDEO chapter which includes staffing, induction fees, etc.
