About

The Early Dance Working Group is a caucus of scholars, teachers, and performers who share a common interest in dance forms and movement practices from before the nineteenth century. The group organizes and helps coordinate early dance panels for the Dance Studies Association (DSA) and other conferences, encourages interdisciplinary explorations and collaborations, and facilitates mentoring for those entering the field.

We also host a writing discussion group, coordinated by Amanda Moehlenpah, and in February 2024 we hosted our first virtual Early Dance Symposium, chaired by Mary Channen Caldwell.

In addition, we can help find specialists for theater, opera, and music organizations that are mounting works calling for early dance reconstructions or original creations based on historical dance styles.

To learn more about the group or to find a specialist for your production, email working group conveners Emily Winerock at contact@winerock.com and Karen Silen at ksilen@me.com or visit us at https://dancestudiesassociation.org/resources/working-groups/early-dance