Dayton Dance Initiative is an independent collective of professional dancers from the Dayton area. We strive to create a platform for artists to explore their choreographic sides, collaborate with dancers of different styles, and bring our community together through our art form.
MISSION
Our mission is to provide professional dancers a platform to collaborate and create with artists outside their own company or genre while deepening the Dayton community’s interaction with the art of dance.
Dayton Dance Initiative is completely dancer led, giving our artists skills not only in choreographing, but in running an organization through financing, marketing, and leading. The support of our donors, sponsors, and community is what makes Dayton Dance Initiative possible.
BACKGROUND
DDI was founded by former Dayton Ballet dancer Jocelyn Watson, who had a vision of collaboration with the other talented dancers in Dayton, namely the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Through Dayton Dance Initiative, dancers hailing from both companies have the opportunity to work together and create works on artists from different backgrounds. We are joined by Arthur Murray Dance Center: Dayton, whose partnership has provided further opportunities for our dancers to expand their repertoire, experience, and love of dance.
VISION
Our vision for DDI is to fully fill the gaps that exist in a dancer’s typical contract, where they may need to find employment outside of dance and/or Dayton. DDI provides well paid, safe, and quality employment as well as artistic freedom dancers need in order to thrive in this career. We facilitate a meaningful and personal audience to artist connection where we work together to grow opportunities for everyone in Dayton to experience the power of dance.
“As a former dancer and Dayton native, it’s inspiring to see our region’s incredible dancers come together through so many diverse styles of dance. DDI is a true reflection of Dayton’s spirit of innovation and community!”
How we’re moving
DDI launched our inaugural performance in May 2019 - Making Moves - at Dayton Live’s PNC Arts Annex.
We provided choreographic and collaborative opportunity to 19 dancers from the Dayton area.
DDI began the Moving Strong 2020 season with 21 dancers and choreographers.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we stretched and improvised, providing Virtual Master Classes free of charge to our community.
We took on the challenges of the time and went virtual with our 2020 production - Moving Strong - with 1.5K views on YouTube!
DDI continued to expand our mission and adapt to the new virtual world - with our Fall/Winter Mini Series, providing further opportunity for dancers facing unemployment due to Covid-19.
In 2023 DDI celebrated 5 years with Making Moves: The CoLAB in which choreographers were paired with outside artists to produce a multi-disciplinary show featuring painting, live music, set designs, spoken word and more!
DDI continues to prioritize our community through sponsored performances for youth organizations and individuals who may otherwise be unable to experience live performances.