Boston Dance Alliance’s 2024 Year in Review
As we dance our way into a new year, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the strides that Boston Dance Alliance made last year with this one-page year-in-review for 2024.
It summarizes not only the number of dancers we supported last year across our five program areas but also the accomplishments of so many members of BDA’s dance community.
We’re honored to support all of you in your journey in dance and to see all of that you’ll bring to life through dance in 2025.
Let’s make moves!
Aaron Myers, Executive Director
A Gift for BDA’s Future Celebrates a Dance Community Member
Boston Dance Alliance received a $150,000 donation from the estate of Christine Hamersley (l.), a dance enthusiast and adult
dance student who lived in Duxbury, Mass. The donation, arranged by Hamersley’s sister Barbara Bollin, will support the purchase of a new portable dance floor and establish a fund for BDA’s annual Open Audition & Dancer Health Day initiative, which will be named for Hamersley. Bollin says Hamersley was a beloved figure in the Boston dance community, known for her warmth and inclusivity, and for welcoming dancers of all backgrounds to the Jeannette Neill Dance Studio, where she studied for decades.
Hamersley also created and managed a regional Dance Affinity Facebook group that became a platform where dancers and
organizations alike made connections and found professional opportunities. The gift will fund critical resources for local dancers, including a new professional grade portable dance floor that BDA will offer at below-market rates to dance companies and
organizations hosting dance events across Greater Boston. It also will support and expand BDA programs that manage open-call auditions each year (allowing dancers to find work with regional choreographers) and offer dancer health and wellness resources through a BDA partnership with Spaulding Rehabilitation and its Director of Dance Medicine Lauren Elson, MD, a BDA board member.
BDA Executive Director Aaron Myers says the donation, which Elson helped to facilitate, will be structured to provide support in perpetuity and honor Christine’s spirit of kindness, inclusivity and passion. “These gifts to Boston Dance Alliance create a legacy of support for the Greater Boston dance communities and its artists,” Myers says. “That they also honor a cherished member of our community makes it even more special. Boston Dance Alliance takes great pride in celebrating and carrying on Christine’s remarkable dance legacy for many years to come.”
Hello BDA Community,
Hope your 2025 is off to a great start!
As we dance our way into a new year, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the strides that Boston Dance Alliance made last year with this one-page year-in-review for 2024.
It summarizes not only the number of dancers we supported last year across our five program areas but also the accomplishments of so many members of BDA’s dance community.
We’re honored to support all of you in your journey in dance and to see all of that you’ll bring to life through dance in 2025.
Let’s make moves!
Aaron Myers, Executive Director
OnStage Dance Company's Season 27 Performance
OnStage Dance Company, is returning to the stage with its Season 27 Performance featuring jazz, tap, contemporary, commercial, fusion, modern, and filmed pieces. Saturday, January 18, 2 & 7 PM, Boston University Dance Theater 915 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. Tickets: $20-$50.
Other events in the community this week:
WeStar 2025 New Year Grand Musical Night features Boston International Symphony Orchestra and dancers. Saturday, January 18, 6:30 PM at the Cary Hall in Lexington, 1605 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington.
Sarah Young and Patrick Crowley host a Contact Improvisation Jam with music by Stephen Katz. Sunday, January 19, 1:30-4:30 PM at 25 Main St., 4th floor, Northampton. Registration: $25-$35. Additional donations accepted. Send payments to @patrickmcrowley on Venmo; (617) 320-9792 on Zelle or Apple Cash. Cash accepted.
Apply for the Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants
The Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants provide up to $3,000 for costs like rent, utilities, food, transportation and medical care to professional dancers who’ve lost work recently, due to injury, illness, or because they’ve had engagements cut back or cancelled. The next deadline is Tuesday, February 11 at 5 PM ET.
Audition for Novum Dance Collective
Novum Dance Collective (formerly Nozama) is seeking professional contemporary dancers who are interested in improvisation, collaboration, and the creative process to join their company for the 2025 season and beyond. Must be available to begin rehearsals (Sundays 2-6 PM) immediately following the audition, starting January 2025 and available for July 12 and December 6 shows. Apply to audition by Tuesday, January 14. Audition will take place on Sunday, January 19, 2:30-5:30 PM, at the SomArt @ The Hive, 561 Windsor St 4th Floor, Somerville.
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