To the Dancewave and NYC Dance Community:
With bittersweet joy, I am announcing my departure this September as Founder, Executive and Artistic Director of Dancewave. It has been an incredible journey, watching Dancewave grow these past 25 years from a two person staff into an organization that serves over 6,000 majority BIPOC students in public schools, senior centers and programs for all abilities in every borough of the city. 

Dancewave has accelerated in the last 10 years with the development of our international Dancewave Through College and Beyond college fair and auditions, our Strategies For Young Artist Citizens educator training and notably, our new $4.5M city-funded Dancewave Center in Gowanus which opened last June.

All of this could not have happened without the support of my hardworking staff, artists, teachers, board members, funders, friends, my devoted family and the entire dance community. I am so very proud of my legacy and our vibrant and impactful organization serving all of New York City. Now, it's time for me to move on.
I am delighted to announce that Nicole Touzien, an active arts and political advocate, arts administrator and performer, will be taking on the new role as Executive Director of Dancewave beginning August 31st, 2020.
As a former Director of Education at Dancewave, Nicole is a longtime friend of our organization. Her commitment to equity and justice shines brightly as does her energizing spark and quick wit. Nicole will undoubtedly center Dancewave's trajectory toward continued success. Please join me in welcoming her and the next phase of Dancewave's growth.
 
While I am stepping off, I will still be around and would love to stay in touch. Please drop me a line at dbjznew@gmail.com. I look forward to seeing you around town (or more realistically on the computer). Stay strong, stay positive, stay healthy and committed. There is much more dancing yet to do.

With love,
Diane
Dear Dancewave Community,

It is a great honor and privilege to step into the Executive Director role at Dancewave. Since its founding in 1995, Dancewave has served as an accessible and vital resource to New Yorkers, championing arts education and whole person development.

I'm excited to lead Dancewave into a promising future, one that is filled with innovative programming, an inclusive model for dance education and development, and a commitment to advancing the role of the arts in our society. 
My immediate priorities for Dancewave include:

1. Ensuring Dancewave remains a vital community resource and service provider as NYC navigates COVID recovery efforts.

2. Securing new community and national partnerships to uplift and advance Dancewave's mission.

3. Expanding the benefits of Dancewave's programs to new neighborhoods and community stakeholders. 

I look forward to exploring limitless possibilities with you, and celebrating the outstanding and impactful service that Diane and the Dancewave team has provided to our community for the past 25 years and counting! 

With appreciation and excitement,
Nicole Touzien
Dancewave

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OUR MISSION: Dancewave provides access to a community dance experience that encourages individuality and whole-person development throughout New York City and beyond. Through innovative programming, we use dance as an expressive vehicle for transformation.