2024 Festival
In 2024, our week-long Festival celebrated even more dance styles and community events and raised funds for year-round dance programs on Nantucket.
Thank You!
Nantucket Dance Festival sponsors, artists, advisors, volunteers, and community truly make this Festival what it is. The time, talents, spirit, guidance and commitment are so appreciated!
Our Sponsors
Founder's Circle
Martha and Bob Lipp
Jane and John Loose
Karen Rainwater
Nantucket Golf Club Foundation*
Sustainers
Louise Turner
Sponsors
ACKFM and DayBreak Nantucket*
Bernie and Ben Groveman
Robin Rednor and Robert Kennedy
Steven Ketchum
Marion and Terence Martin
Mowhawk Northeast Inc*
N Magazine*
Denise Saul
Patrons
Janet and Samuel Bailey
Cape Cod 5*
Chris and Jim Cowperthwait
Margaret and John Falk
Elizabeth Shepard
Yellow Productions*
Members
Susan Baer
Jeanne Cohane
The Dance Space*
Marna and Charles Davis
Jennifer Diamond
Candace Fowler
Joan and Philip Gulley
Kyra Haydock
Lisa Huertas
Anna and Michael McDonnell
Marilee B. Matteson
Darina McKelvie
Lisa Moisan
Nantucket Island Resorts*
Doyun Park
Deborah Ramsdell
Jill Roberts
Nancy and Joe Serafini
Katherine and Peter Sutters
Jane Tyler
Friends
Deborah and Charles Adleman
Jody and Brian Berger
Norbert Donnelly
Dreamline Modular Homes*
Nantucket Community Television*
Doyun Park
Randee Seiger
Roger's Taxi*
Jim Waterbury
Neighbors
Judy Brasher
Irina Dalgaard
Deborah Gallant
Rebecca Hudson
Island Lumber*
Virgina Macaulay
Debra and Vincent Maffeo
Nantucket Crisps*
Nantucket Coffee Roasters*
Annie Neilson
Elizabeth Shane
Yummy Nantucket*
Host Families
Hugh Davis & Amy Baldwin
Susan Baer
Roxanne Casscells
Martha and Bob Lipp
Karen Rainwater
Margaret and John Falk
Judy Lee
Wendy Lipp
Debra and Vincent Maffeo
Karen Rainwater
Nancy and Joe Serafini
Esta Lee & Harris Stone
* Business Sponsor
The dancers were all spectacular, and the selections of choreography/music were terrific. We especially appreciated the thoughtful balance of dance styles and musical genres in the program, and the ways the program repeatedly demonstrated how different styles can be expanded or blended.
When the "curtain came down" last night, I was sort of hoping that wasn't the end.
Nantucket Dance Theater has given us a way to keep dance alive in our community through this event. The classes offered year-round are creative and fun for everyone to explore movement and find joy.
Our Business Sponsors
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2024 Benefit Performance
The 16 artists who graced the stage in 2024 came from across the US, Canada and Europe to share unique interpretations of dance and live music. With artists from the Miami City Ballet, Juilliard, Royal Danish Ballet and the streets of Memphis, our benefit performance demonstrated the range of styles and possibilities in the world of dance. Seventeen local kids joined professional dancers onstage in the final number with two incredible fiddlers and a standing ovation!
Impact
The Festival provides enriching community events for one week each summer, but the proceeds of our fundraising efforts are visible on the island year-round.
1 Year
Boys and Girls Club Dance Classes
Proceeds from our inaugural festival went to support a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club to offer twice-weekly dance classes all year. These classes allow young people who may not usually be exposed to dance to explore their creativity and build confidence in a supportive environment.
$10,000
Scholarships for ongoing dance education
Scholarships for dance students provide them with opportunities to continue their education off-island, expanding their experiences and network with dance schools around the country.
50+
Participants in open classes
The Festival week included open dance classes for all ages, completely free for all attendees and offered in diverse styles. Classes are all led by professional artists and provide an intimate education in the dance styles presented in the benefit performance.
3
Performance opportunities
Nantucket Dance Theater Performance Company is made up of over 20 local dancers ages 11 - 18. In 2023, students had the opportunity to perform in the Nantucket Nutcracker, Poetry in Motion, an original ballet - Once Upon a Time.
1
Guest Artist Residency
We were delighted to welcome professional dancers again to the island for our year-round students. They worked with dancers in an intensive setting for two weeks to explore new dance styles like jazz and movement theater for an unforgettable experience - all without having to leave the island!
1
Trip to Boston
Nantucket Dance Theater Performance company hosted a trip to Boston for students to compete in the Etoile Dance Competition and see Boston Ballet's Cinderella. For many students, it was their first time seeing a professional ballet company. The competition also offered master classes and was an incredibly inspiring trip for everyone!
