DANCE MASTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
214-10 41ST Avenue, Bayside, New York 11361
718-225-4013 – DMAMANN@aol.com

Dance Masters of America will present Ballet San Jose Artistic/Executive Director Dennis Nahat the coveted DMA PRESIDENT’S AWARD at their National Convention in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, July 19th, 2008.

The event, held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Hotel, will be attended by some 500 dance makers and educators from throughout the United States.   Dance Masters of America is the oldest and largest not for profit organization of dance educators in the country. This award celebrates Nahat’s work as a dance educator.  Said National DMA President Mimi Costa White, “You have given so freely of your time and talents to the dance world through your teaching. The countless accomplishments of your students are a testament to the impact of your life’s work. Your dedication as a dance educator is endless and we, the Officers and Members of the Dance Masters of America as a small part of the dance community, want to say thank you.”

The list of past recipients of the DMA President’s Award reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ in dance education; Sherry Gold, Al Gilbert, Buster Cooper, Jules and Art Stone, The Stern Family and Dance Magazine, Ken and Jean Phifer, Robert Audy, Ronn Daniels, Roni Mahler, Phil Black and Jo Rowan. Said Nahat, “I am honored to have my name added to such a prestigious list of dance educators.  And I am very much looking forward to attending the convention and seeing so many good friends.”

Nahat, who has just returned from a five-week Goodwill Tour of China, will take a short break from his summer dance program at USDAN Center for the Creative and Performing Arts in New York to travel to Orlando to receive the award and attend the event.  While in Florida he will teach Master Classes for DMA on July 19th and 20th. He returns to San Jose on August 11th to prepare for Ballet San Jose’s 2008-09 season, which opens in November with the staging of THE TOREADOR set by Flemming and Vivi Flindt.  The season will be the 23rd presented in San Jose.