Outstanding Individual Performance
An individual performer can be recognized for his or her performance of, or within, an evening length production as a company member or a soloist.

Anita Chen in "Dai Folk Dance , Zan Ha", at The Publick Playhouse, March 15, 2008

Ariel Trilling in Joy of Motion Youth Dance Ensemble Senior Dance Company's "duet" at JCC of Greater DC Kreeger Auditorium, May 11, 2008

Aysha Upchurch in "Am I on" at the Kennedy Center's Millenium Stage September 7, 2007

Brianne Bland in The Washington Ballet's "Cinderella" at Warner Theatre, May 7-11, 2008

Cedric Tillman in Echo Park's "Untitled" at Dance Place, March 21, 2008

Cedric Tillman in Echo Park's "Save the World" at Artomatic, May 11, 2008

Christopher K. Morgan in CityDance Ensemble's "Rice" at the Strathmore, October 13 & 14, 2007

Daniel Paredez in Furia Flamenca's "Zorongo" at Jack Guidone Theater, April 27 & 28, 2008

Delphina Parenti in CityDance Ensemble's "Harmonica Breakdown" at Lansburgh Theatre, September 7 & 8, 2007

Dr. Janaki Rangarajan in "Bharatanrityam" at The National Cherry Blossom Festival, April 7, 2008

Ebony Qualls in Sahara Dance's "Drumline" at The Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre, August 24, 2007

Edwin Aparicio in Flamenco Aparicio's "Pue" - Alegrias" at GALA Hispanic Theatre, December 8, 2007

Edwin Aparicio in "Flamenco Night" at Las tapas Restaurant, May 1, 2008

Erin Mahoney-Du in The Washington Ballet's "The Four Temperaments Fourth Variation: Choleric" at Harman Center for the Arts, April 2-6, 2008

Estela Velez in Furia Flamenca's "Alegrias" at Jack Guidone Theater, April 5 & 6, 2008

Estela Velez in Furia Flamenca's "Zorongo" at Jack Guidone Theater, April 27 & 28, 2008

Genevieve Guinn in Flamenco Aparicio's "Deja vu" at GALA Hispanic Theatre, December 8, 2007

Helanius Wilkins in Edgeworks Dance Theater's "If I Wrote a Note to God" at American Dance Institute, May 2 & 3, 2008

Ja'Malik in City Dance Ensemble's "Contained Infinity" at Strathmore, October 27 & 28, 2007

Ja'Malik in City Dance Ensemble's "Jungle Books" at Lansburg Theatre, December 15 & 16, 2007

Jason Hartley in The Washinton Ballet's "High Lonesome" at Harman Center for the Arts, April 2-6, 2008

Jason Ignacio in City Dance Ensemble's "Jungle Books" at Lansburg Theatre, December 15 & 16, 2007

Jenifer Dobbins in "Persona" part of the 25th Annual Choreographers Showcase at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, February 2, 2008

Jennifer Rain Ferguson in Dana Tai Soon Burgess and Company's "Khaybet" at Thomas Jefferson Community Center Theater, May 16-18, 2008

Jonathan Jordan in The Washington Ballet's "Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes" at Harman Center for the Arts, January 30-February 3, 2008

Jonathan Jordan in The Washington Ballet's "Cinderella" at The Warner Theatre, May 7-11, 2008

Jonathan Jordan in The Washington Ballet's "The 4 Temperaments by Balanchine " at Harman Hall, April 2-6, 2008

Jonathan Jordan in The Washington Ballet's "High Lonesome" at Harman Center for the Arts, April 2-6, 2008

Jonathan Jordan in Washington Ballet's "There Where She Loved" at the Harman Center for the Arts, January 30-February 3, 2008

Junious "House" Brickhouse in Urban Artistry's "Free" at Walsh Black Box; Georgetown University, February 22 & 23, 2008

Kayla Hamilton in "Untitled" at The Jack Guidone Theater, April 12 & 13, 2008

Kelly Mayfield in Echo Park Contemporary Ballet's "From Within" at Dance Place, March 21, 2008

Kyra Jean Green in "Bubbles" at Strathmore, June 15, 2007

Ling Tang in "Everlasting Fire" at Atlas Performing Arts Center, May 17, 2008

Ludovic Jolivet in "Roger and Lucie" at Gala Hispanic Theatre, March 1, 2008

Luis Torres in The Washington Ballet's "Cinderella" at Warner Theatre, May 7-11, 2008

Maria Christina Herdoiza in Joy of Motion Senior Dance Company's "Underdog" at JCC of Greater Washington Kreeger Auditorium, Sunday May 11, 2008

Melissa Greco in "September Sonnet" & "Kaddish" at Dance Place, May 10 & 11, 2008

Misha Bosma in BosmaDance's "For What Was" at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, February 9 & 10, 2008

Nejla Yatkin in "Journey to the One, a Tango" (excerpt) at Kennedy Center, September 10, 2007

Nelson Sitton in Ziva's Spanish Dance Ensemble's "In the Tablau" at Round House Theater, March 8, 2008

Oscar Hawkins in Echo Park Contemporary Ballet's "Strange Fruit", at Dance Place, March 21, 2008

Parastoo Ghodsi in Silk Road Dance Company's "Dokhtar-e Khorasan" at Gunston Theatre, June 16, 2007

Rachel Kay Brookmire in Raqs Sahara's "Ya Msafer whadek" at The Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre, May 10 & 11, 2008

Rasta Thomas in Echo Park Contemporary Ballet's "Bumblebee" at Dance Place, March 21, 2008

Runqiao Du in Washington Ballet's "Out of Time" at The Washington Ballet England Studio Theater, February 19-March 9, 2008

Sara Jerez in Ziva's Spanish Dance Ensemble's "Guajiras" at Corcoran Gallery of Art, April 9, 2008

Sarah Ekelman in Joy of Motion Senior Dance Ensemble's "NEVER " at the JCC of Greater Washington Kreeger Auditorium, May 11, 2008

Sona Kharatian in The Washington Ballet's "2 Long 2 Love" at the England Studio, The Washington Ballet, February 19 - March 9, 2008

Stacey Tytler in Jane Franklin's "Branch" at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center , March 1, 2008

Suzanne Richard in Liz Lerman Dance Exchange's "The Farthest Earth From Thee" at Greenburg Theatre, American University, June 2 & 3, 2007

Tehreema Mitha in Tehreema Mitha Dance Company's "Dance of the Soul" at The Harman Center for the Arts, January 16, 2008

Tzveta Kassabova in PearsonWidrig Dance Theater's "Katrina, Katrina: Love Letters to New Orleans" at Dance Place, March 15 & 16, 2008

Vernon Gooden in Edgeworks Dance Theater's "the determining factor" at American Dance Institute, May 2 & 3, 2008

Vincent E. Thomas in VTDance's "Render & Proceed" at Dance Place, March 8 & 9, 2008

Outstanding Group Performance
A group or company can be recognized for its performance of, or within, an evening length production.

Raqs Sahara in "Raqs Sahara" at National Theater, DC, September 24, 2007

Raqs Sahara for "Under a Desert Moon 6" at Harold & Sylvia Greenberg Theatre, May 10 & 11, 2008

Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh, in "Bell Song", at Lang Theatre, Atlas Performing Arts Center, May 17, 2008

The Washington Ballet in "Cinderella", at The Warner Theatre, May 7-11, 2008

The Washington Ballet in "Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes, There Where She Loved, Nine Sinatra Songs" at Harman Center for the Arts, January 30-February 3, 2008

The Washington Ballet in "The Four Temperaments, High Lonesome, Fives", at Harman Center for the Arts, April 2-6, 2008

Liz Lerman Dance Exchange for "The Farthest Earth From Thee and Nocturnes" at Gonda Theatre, Georgetown University, February 14-16, 2008

Olu Yemisi & Company Dancers in "Gbegbe" at Birthday Bash Dance Festival, October 5, 2007

VTDance in "Grandmother Project" at Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, June 1, 2007

Soul In Motion for "Reflecting Africa" & "Lamba" at Takoma Park Folk Festival, September 16, 2007

Dakshina/Daniel Singh in "Voy y Vengo" at Gala Hispanic Theater, March 1, 2008

The Washington Ballet in "Ballroom Dances" at Harman Center, January 30 -February 3, 2008

Kelly Mayfield and Reggie Cole in "Sensitive" at The Warehouse, May 6, 2008

Arts United of Washington for "The Scenic Route '07" at Dance Place, October 27 & 28, 2007

Laura Schandelmeier and Stephen Clapp's"Portals" at Dance Place, June 23 & 24, 2007

Contradiction Dance in "Casual Contact", "Objects of Hope" & "Sensitive" at The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, April 3, 2008

Bowen McCauley Dance in "Alleluia, Amen" at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center March 8 & 9, 2008

Bowen McCauley Dance in "Fratres", at The Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, October 27 & 28, 2007

Joy of Motion Youth Dance Ensemble's Senior Company in "The Secret Altar" and "In a Dark Sound" at JCC Kreeger Auditorium , May 11, 2008

Step Afrika! with Sweet Honey in the Rock in "Wade featuring Sweet Honey in the Rock," at The Warner Theatre, October 25, 2007

Next Reflex Dance Collective in "Affixed Exchanges", at Gunston Theater One, November 10 & 11, 2007

Step Afrika! with the Richmond Boys Choir in "MLK, JR. Tribute" at Alden Theater, January 20, 2008

Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Company in "Leaving Pusan" in "Dance Bethesda" at The Roundhouse Theater, March 8, 2008

Furia Flamenca in "Un Romance" as part of Joy of Motion's 31st Anniversary Concert at The Atlas Performing Arts Center, October 21, 2007 & at The Publick Playhouse, March 15, 2008

CityDance Ensemble in "Revolution of the Butterflies - Excerpt" at the Residence of the Chilean Ambassador Mariano Fernandez, April 3, 2008

Joy of Motion Junior Dance Company, in "Ebb and Flow," "WAR" and "Unsettled in Sixes," at JCC of Greater Washington Kreeger Auditorium, May 11, 2008

Jane Franklin Dance in "Branch" at The Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center, March 1, 2008

Jane Franklin Dance in "Soundwalk" at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center, March 1, 2008

CrossCurrents Dance Company in "At Last Light" & "...To Every Story" at Kennedy Center's Millenium Stage, March 10, 2008

Olney Ballet Theatre in "The Nutcracker" at The Olney Theatre Center, December 7-24, 2007

Stefanie Quinones Bass & Daniel Burkholder in "together/apart (we go each our way)" part of Dance Bethesda at Round House Theater, March 8, 2008

Silk Road Dance Company, in "Tulips of Badakhshan", at Terrace Theatre, Kennedy Center, September 10, 2007

Golden Universe Dance Studio in "Rainbow Dance (Yi Folk Dance)" at the Multicultural Market, September 29,2007

VTDance & INSPIRIT in "Day Two" at Dance Place, March 8 & 9, 2008

City Dance Ensemble in "Broken Prayers", at Lansburgh Theatre, March 7-9, 2008

Junious "House" Brickhouse and Urban Artistry in "The History" at Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theater , June 14th, 2007

Santi Budaya in "Contemporer Spirit of the Mask" at the Embassy of Indonesia, February 24, 2008

ClancyWorks Dance Company in "On Taking Steps to Climbing Mountains", at Dance Place, April 12 & 13, 2008

Nejla Yatkin, Tehreema Mitha and Gesel Mason in "Together: A Three Dancer Improvisation" at Atlas Performing Arts Center, November 12, 2007

Maryland Dance Ensemble in "How Long Brethren" at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, December 1 & 2, 2007

Tappers With Attitude Youth Ensemble in "Syncopated Sensations" at Dance Place, December 15 & 16, 2007

Echo Park Contemporary Ballet in "Can you move" at Down Dog Yoga Studio, November 17, 2007

Furia Flamenca for "Martinete" at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, December 13, 2007

Flamenco Aparicio in "Martinete", at GALA Hispanic Theatre, December 7th, 2007

Silk Road Dance Company in "Gul Bahaar" at Gunston Theatre, June 16, 2007

Golden Universe Dance Studio in "Stamp in Melody( Han Tang Dynasty Classical Dance)" at Publick Playhouse, March 15, 2008

The X Faction Dance Company in "007: The Mission", at The Ronald Reagan Building, July 21, 2007

Kankouran West African Dance Company in "Sounougal (Our Boat)" at Lisner Auditorium, September 1, 2007

CityDance Ensemble in "Unravel" at Carter Barron Amphitheatre, August 11, 2007

Aysha Upchurch's "Am I On ?" at the Kennedy Center's Millenum Stage, September 6 & 7, 2007

Teatro de Danza Contemporanea in "Cuatro Poemas", at Dance Place, October 20 & 21, 2007

The X Faction Dance Company in "Torn" at The Atlas, October 21, 2007

Ziva's Spanish Dance Ensemble in "In the Tablau" at Round House Theater, March 8, 2008

Ziva's Spanish Dance Ensemble in "Duende y Compas" at Corcoran Gallery of Art, April 9, 2008

Golden Universe Dance Studio in "Jubilant( JiaoZhou YangGe Dance)" at Publick Playhouse, March 15, 2008

Raqs Sahara in "Saharabesque!" at The Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theater, August 24, 2007

Furia Flamenca in "Alegrias del Manton" at Dance Place, July 7 & 8, 2007

Coyaba Dance Theater in "Destiny" at the Lansburgh Theater, December 1, 2007

Step Afrika!'s "Nxt/Step" the at Lansburgh Theatre, December 1, 2007

Outstanding Youth Performance
This award is for an outstanding youth soloist or group performance, for ages 18 and under. Please note, this is the only category where youth are recognized.

The Center Dance Company in "Fiancess Pas de Six, from Act III of Swan Lake" at Thomas Jefferson Theater, May 16-18, 2008

The Washington School of Ballet's "Annual Spring Performance" at THEARC, May 31, 2008

Melissa Kantor for Joy of Motion Dance Ensemble's "Joyful Motion" at The Kreeger Auditorium, JCC of Greater Washington, May 11, 2008

Bowen McCauley Dance Junior Company's in "Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals" at Kenmore Performing Arts Center, May 3 & 4, 2008

Joy of Motion Dance Center's Youth Dance Ensemble's " Youth Dance Ensemble Concert" at JCC Kreeger Auditorium, May 11, 2008

Northeast Performing Arts Group's "The Lion King:RELOADED"" at Howard University's Cramton Auditorium, January 31 - February 2, 2008

Dimensions Center for the Performing Arts in "Injustice Suite" at The Annabelle Ferguson Auditorium, February 17. 2008

J.O. Wilson CityDance DREAM program students in "Hip Hop Divas" at J.O. Wilson Elementary School, May 1, 2008

The Shizumi Kodomo Dance Troupe in "The Seeds of Hope" at The National Cherry Blossom Festival, March 29, 2008

The Shizumi Kodomo Dance Troupe in "Sakura" at The National Cherry Blossom Festival, March 29, 2008

Motion Mania's Diamond Youth Company in "Apologize" part of Jane Franklin Dance Youth Dance Festival at Ainslie Arts Center, Episcopal High School, March 8, 2008

Olney Ballet Theatre in "The Nutcracker" at The Olney Theatre Center, December 7-24, 2007

Future Shock DC in "Recess" at Lisner Auditorium, May 12, 2007

Fairfax Chinese Dance Troupe in "By the Lotus Pond" at The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, September 29, 2007

Fairfax Chinese Dance Troupe in "Passion of Snowy Mountain" at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School, February 16, 2008

Maryland Youth Ballet in "Brahms Fantasies" at The Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater, October 27 & 28, 2007

Sarah Chang, Spencer Ramirez, and Katherine Williams in "Celesital Orbits" at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, October 20, 2007

Tappers With Attitude Youth Ensemble in "Syncopated Sensations" at Dance Place, December 15 & 16, 2007

Fairfax Chinese Dance Troupe at the International Children's Festival at Wolf Trap, September 22, 2007

Olney Ballet Theatre in the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" at Olney Theatre Center, April 19 & 20, 2008

Maryland Youth Ballet in "Cakewalk" at Montgomery College Rockville Campus, May 10 & 11

Joy of Motion Youth Dance Ensemble Senior Company's "Whirlpools" at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater, September 10, 2007

Anita Chen from Golden Universe Dance Studio in "Zan Ha (Dai Ethnic Dance)" at Publick Playhouse, March 15, 2008

Dora Duvisac in Joy of Motion Youth Dance Ensemble's "Saraswati Vandana" at the Kreeger Auditorium, JCC Greater Washington, May 11, 2008

Maria Christina Herdoiza's in "Underdog" at Kreeger Auditorium, JCC of Greater Washington May 11, 2008

Joy of Motion Senior Dance Ensemble's "!?!WHAT!?!?" , "The Secret Altar" and "All that Jazz" at JCC of Greater Washington Kreeger Auditorium, May 11, 2008

Outstanding New Work
This award goes to a choreographer for his/her creation of an outstanding new work this season. The work can be a part of a showcase or mixed bill.

Ling Tang for "Everlasting Fire" at Lang Theatre, Atlas Performing Arts Center, May 17, 2008

Nejla Y. Yatkin for The Washington Ballet's "2 Long 2 Love" at The Washinton Ballet England Studio Theater, February 19- March 3, 2008

The Washington Ballet Studio Company's "MOON/DANCE" at ATLAS Performing Arts Center, October 12 & 13, 2007

Ludovic Jolivet for Dakshina/Daniel Singh's "Voy y vengo" at Gala Hispanic Theatre, March 1, 2008

Flamenco Aparicio's "Entre Los Matorrales" at GALA Hispanic Theatre, December 8, 2007

Liz Lerman Dance Exchange's "The Farthest Earth From Thee and Love, Etcetera." at Greenburg Theatre, American University and Gonda Theatre, Georgetown University, June 2 & 3, 2007 and February 14-16, 2008

Lotta Lundgren and Amanda Abrams for "On G Street" at G Street between 9th & 7th, September 29, 2007

Jane Franklin Dance for "Soundwalk" at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, March 1, 2008

Lucy Bowen McCauley for Bowen McCauley Dance's "Fratres" at The Kennedy Center Terrace, October 27 & 28, 2007

Daniel Phoenix Singh for "Bell Song" at Dance Place, May 10 & 11, 2008

Step Afrika!'s "Nxt/Step" at The Lansburgh Theatre, December 1, 2007

Urban Artistry's "Urban Reflections" at GWU: Lisner Auditorium, May 2, 2008

Tehreema Mitha Dance Company's "Face the Day (Uttho jago)" at Atlas Performing Arts Center, May 17, 2008

Gesel Mason, Nejla Yatkin and Tehreema Mitha for "Together" at Atlas Performing Arts Center , Nov. 12, 2007

Lusy Bowen McCauley for Bowen McCauley Dance's "Carnival of the Animals" at Kenmore Performing Arts Center, May 3 & 4, 2008

El Teatro De Danza Contemporanea De El Salvador's "Moments of Reflection" at Dance Place, October 20 & 21, 2007

Lucy Bowen McCauley for Bowen McCauley Dance's "Gustatory Romp" at Kennedy Center, October 27 & 28, 2007

Jason Parson for Echo Park Contemporary Ballet's "Maps" at Dance Place, March 21, 2008

Golden Universe Dance Studio for "Jubilant (Chinese JiaoZhou YangGe Dance)" at Publick Playhouse, March 15, 2008

Cedric Tillman & Ann Behrends for Echo Park Contemporary Ballet's "Gravity's Angel" at Dance Place, March 21, 2008

Vincent Thomas for VTDance's "Render & Proceed" at Dance Place, March 8 & 9, 2008

City Dance Ensemble's "Broken Prayers" at The Lansburgh Theatre, March 7-9, 2008

Katerina Rodgoard for Joy of Motion Youth Dance Ensemble Junior Company's, "War" at JCC of Greater Washington Kreeger Auditorium, May 11, 2008

Laura Schandelmeier and Stephen Clapp for "Portals" at Dance Place, June 23 & 24, 2007

Meisha Bosma for BosmaDance's "Sky Kisses Earth" at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center February 9 & 10, 2008

Meisha Bosma & Leah Wrobel for BosmaDance's "For What Was" at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, February 9 & 10, 2008

Cedric Tillman for Echo Park Contemporary Ballet's "Ego Trip" at Down Dog Yoga Studio, November 17, 2007

Stella Choi for Fairfax Chinese Dance Troupe's "Passion of Snowy Mountain" at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School, February 16, 2008

Christopher Morgan for City Dance Ensemble's "Unusable Signal" at Strathmore, October 27 & 28, 2007

Estela Velez for Furia Flamenca's "Zorongo" at the The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, December 13, 2007

Estela Velez for Furia Flamenca's "Martinete" at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, December 13, 2007

Debra Kanter for CrossCurrents Dance Company's "Into Our Eyes" at Kreeger Auditorium, January 26 & 27, 2008

Christopher Morgan for CityDance Ensemble's "So Foul a Lie" at Lansburgh Theatre, March 7-9, 2008

The X Faction Dance Company's "Torn" at The Atlas, October 21, 2007

Aysha Upchurch's "Am I On?" at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, September 6 & 7, 2007

Jane Franklin for Jane Franklin Dance's "Hand Hold" at Schlesinger Center, March 1, 2008

Ziva's Spanish Dance Ensemble's "En Laces de Ritmos" & "Homenaje Al Matador" at Corcoran Gallery of Art, April 9, 2008

Joy of Motion Youth Dance Ensemble's "Joy of Motion Spring Dance Concert" at JCC of Greater Washington Kreeger Auditorium, May 11, 2008

Julia Smith for Joy of Motion Dance Ensemble Junior Company's "Unsettled in Sixes" at JCC of Greater Washington Kreeger Auditorium, May 11, 2008

Nellie Rainwater for "She's alone and I'm alone" at Joy of Motion Jack Guidone Theater, February 16 & 17, 2008

CityDance Ensemble's "Jungle Books" at Lansburgh Theatre, December 15 & 16, 2007

Emerging Performer or Group
The Emerging Performer or Group Award is for an artist or group who is gaining recognition for their performance. Groups may be professional or pre-professional, and are eligible for this award during their first five years of performance.


Kayla Hamilton in "Shift: Choreographers Moving Forward" at Jack Guidone Theater/Joy of Motion Dance Center, April 12 & 13, 2008

Junious "House" Brickhouse and Urban Artistry in "Urban Reflections" at GWU: Lisner Auditorium, May 2, 2008

Urban Artistry for "The History, Capital Funk Showcase 2008: U Betta Work! " at Georgetown University, Lisner Auditorium, and the Harold & Sylvia Greenberg Theatre, June 14, 2007 & April 9, May 2, 2008

Ronya Lee Anderson in "Looking Back, Pushing Forward" at Dance Place, April 12 & 13, 2008

Next Reflex Dance Collective in "Conversations" at American Dance Institute, April 12 & 13, 2008 & "New Works" at The Jack Guidone Theater, February 16-17, 2008

Brianne Barrow Little in Jane Franklin Dance's "Hand Hold" at Schlesinger Center, March 1, 2008

Shylo Martinez in Echo Park Contemporary Ballet's "Art" at Dance Place, March 21, 2008

Santi Budaya in "Contemporer Spirit of the Mask" at Embassy of Indonesia, 24 February 2008

Future Shock DC in "Recess" at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, June 2, 2007

Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company in "Bell Song" at Lincoln Theatre, October 26-28, 2007

Echo Park Contemporary Ballet in "Listen" at Down Dog Yoga Studio, November 17, 2007

Ja'Malik in "Contained Infinity" at Strathmore, October 27 & 28, 2007

Aysha Upchurch's Life Rhythm Move Project for "Am I On?" at The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, September 6 & 7, 2007

Furia Flamenca in "Martinete" at The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, December 13, 2007

DCypher Dance in "DCypher IN CONCERT!" at the Jack Guidone Theater, January 26 & 27, 2008

Santi Budaya, LLC in "Alang Babega Dance" at American University, July, 22,2007

Ja Malik in CityDance Ensemble's "Broken Prayers, Shakespeare Sonnets" at Lansburg Theatre, March 7-9

The X Faction Dance Company in "Torn" at The Atlas, October 21, 2007

Aaron Jackson in Arts United of Washington's "The Scenic Route" at Dance Place, October 27 & 28, 2007

Arts United of Washington in "The Scenic Route" at Dance Place, October 27 & 28, 2007

Ling Tang in "Everlasting Fire" at Atlas Performing Arts Center, May 17, 2008

Sharna Fabiano in "Uno" at Dance Place, March 29 and 30, 2008,

Vernon Gooden in EDGEWORK Dance Theater's "bruised, not broken" at American Dance Institute, May 2 & 3, 2008

Emerging Choreographer
The Emerging Choreographer Award is for an artist who is gaining recognition for choreographic talent and work in the DC Metro area. The choreographer can be an established dancer but may be recognized in this category only for the first five years of his/her choreographic career.

Derek Brown for X-Faction Dance Company's "James Bond?" at UUMAH White Attire Affair, July 21, 2007

Sarah Levitt for "Agreeable" at the Warehouse, May 6, 2008

Dawn Hessler for Motion Mania Dance Center's "Apologize" at "Jane Franklin Dance's Youth Dance Festival," Ainslie Arts Center, Episcopal High School, March 8, 2008

Jakari Sherman for Step Afrika!'s "Tribute" at Atlas Performing Arts Center, May 30 - June 4, 2007

Jakari Sherman for Step Afrika!'s "Nxt/Step" at Lansburgh Theatre, December 1, 2007

DaKiya Lambert for Dimensions Center for the Performing Arts's "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at Annabelle Ferguson Auditorium, February 17, 2008

Roxann Morgan Rowley for Next Reflex Dance Collective's "Affixed Exchanges" at Gunston Theater One, November 10 & 11, 2007

Estela Velez for Furia Flamenca's "Un Romance" at Publick Playhouse, March 15, 2008

Ja Malik for City Dance Ensemble's "Broken Prayers" at The Lansburgh Theatre, March 7-9, 2008

Darcy Mandell for "At Last Light" at The Jack Guidone Theater, August 11-12, 2007 and the Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, March 10, 2008

Justin Lewis for Tappers With Attitude's "High Noon" at Dance Place, December 15 & 16, 2007

Stella Choi for Fairfax Chinese Dance Troupe's "Passion of Snowy Mountain" at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School, February 16, 2008

Estela Velez for Furia Flamenca's "Zorongo" at the Millennium Stage, December 13, 2007

Erna S Widyastuti for "The Legend of Majapahit" at Auditorium University District Columbia, July, 22,2007

Tzveta Kassabova for "to blue" at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, February 2, 2008

Kyra Jean Green for "Bubbles" at Strathmore, June 15, 2007

Aysha Upchurch for "Am I on" at the Kennedy Center's Millenium Stage September 7, 2007

Derek Brown for The X Faction Dance Company's "Torn" at The Atlas, October 21, 2007

Melissa Saint Amour for Arts United of Washington's "Go With Jack Kerouac," "Migration," & "The Scenic Route," at Dance Place, October 27 & 28, 2007

Danilo Rivera for Teatro de Danza Contemporanea's "Retazos de Vida", at Dance Place, October 20 & 21, 2007

Ling Tang for "Everlasting Fire" at Atlas Performing Arts Center, May 17, 2008

Sharna Fabiano for Sharna Fabiano Tango Company's "Uno" at Dance Place, March 29 & 30, 2008

Excellence in Costume Design
This award recognizes a costume designer who captures a choreographer's vision in a creative, innovative, and wearable way.

Laurel Victoria Gray for Silk Road Dance Company's "Azzizam" at National Cathedral, May 10, 2008

Kathleen Geldard for Liz Lerman Dance Exchange's "The Farthest Earth From Thee and Love, Etcetera." at Greenburg Theatre, American University and Gonda Theatre, Georgetown University, June 2 & 3, 2007 and February 14-16, 2008

Roxann Morgan for Next Reflex dance Collective's "Affixed Exchanges" Jack Guidone Theater, February 16 & 17, 2008

Laurel Gray for Silk Road Dance Company's "Gul Bahaar" at Gunston Theatre One, June 16, 2007

Sasha Ludwig-Siegel for Bowen McCauley Dance's "Alleluia Amen" at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center, March 8 & 9, 2008

Jodi Ozimek for VTDance's "Render & Proceed" at Dance Place, March 8 & 9, 2008

Erna S. Widyastuti for Santi Budaya's "Contemporer Spirit of the Mask" at Embassy of Indonesia, February 24, 2008

Christopher K. Morgan and Kyle L. Lang for CityDance Ensemble's "So Foul a Lie" at Lansburgh Theatre, March 9, 2008

John Coskunses for CityDance Ensemble's "Broken Prayers" at Lansburgh Theatre, March 9, 2008

Tehreema Mitha for Tehreema Mitha Dance Company's "Classical and Contemporary Dance Program" at Dance Place, August 4 & 5, 2007

Future Shock DC for "Recess" at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, June 2, 2007

Daniel Phoenix Singh & Roxann Morgan Rowley for Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company's "Bell Song" at Lincoln Theatre, October 26-28, 2007

Erna S Widyastuti for Santi Budaya's "Autumn Live" at UDC, July, 22,2007

Judy Hansen for CityDance Ensemble's "Unravel" at the Carter Baron Amphitheater, August 11, 2007

Eleanor Rufty Carlyon for "Portals" at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, February 5, 2008

Laurel Victoria Gray for Silk Road Dance Company's "Desert Rose" at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, October 21, 2007

Judy Hansen for Eric Hampton/Maryland Youth Ballet's "Cakewalk" at Robert Parilla Center for the Performing Arts, May 10 & 11, 2008

Helanius Wilkins and Michelle Rudolph for Edgeworks "the determining factor", at American Dance Institute, May 2 & 3, 2008

Excellence in Lighting Design
This award recognizes a lighting designer who uses theatrical lighting to illuminate a choreographer's vision.

Joshua Michaels for The Washington Ballet's "Cinderella" at The Warner Theatre, May 7-11, 2008

Lynn Joslin for Maryland Youth Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, December 21-30, 2007

Susan Kilbourne for Tappers With Attitude Youth Ensemble's "Syncopated Sensations" at Dance Place, December 15 & 16, 2007

Maja White for "Step Afrika!" at The Kennedy Center, January 22-27, 2008 & at The Lansburgh Theatre, December 1, 2007

Martha Mountain for Bowen McCauley Dance's "Fratres" at Kennedy Center Terrace Theatre, October 27 & 28, 2008

Justin Thomas for Liz Lerman Dance Exchange's "The Farthest Earth From Thee" at Greenberg Theatre, June 2 & 3, 2007

Joshua Michaels for the Washington Ballet's "Cinderella" at Warner Theatre, May 8-11, 2008

Jessica Marchant for VTDance's "Render & Proceed" at Dance Place, March 8 & 9, 2008

Cathy Eliot for Laura Schandelmeier and Stephen Clapp's "Portals" at Dance Place, June 23 & 24, 2008

Lynn Joslin in Eric Hampton/Maryland Youth Ballet's "Cakewalk" at Robert Parilla Center for the Performing Arts, May 10 & 11, 2008

Stefan Johnson in Ziva's Spanish Dance Ensemble's "Duende y Compas" at Corcoran Gallery of Art, April 9, 2008

Excellence in Sound Design/Original Composition
This award recognizes a composer who creates outstanding music compositions for dance.

Ludovic Jolivet in Dakshina/Daniel Pheonix Singh's "Undercurrents" at Gala Hispanic Theatre, March 1, 2008

Behzad Habibzai for Flamenco Aparicio's "Alegrias" at GALA Hispanic Theatre, December 8, 2007

Tehreema Mitha for "Kite on the Wind" at the Kennedy Center, April 4-12,2008

Stephen Clapp for "Portals" at Dance Place, June 23 & 24, 2008

Shuba Shankaran for Tehreema Mitha Dance Company's "The Scent of my Earth" at Dance Place, August 4 & 5, 2007

Matt Jones and Amikaeyla Gaston for CityDance Ensemble's "Falling" at Lansburgh Theatre, March 9, 2008

John Lee and Dan Roberts for Arts United of Washington's "The Scenic Route" at Dance Place, October 27 & 28, 2007

John Lee for Arts United of Washington's "Muzzarella" at Dance Place, October 27 & 28, 2007

Jonathan Matis for Daniel Burkholder's "My ocean is never blue" at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, February 2, 2008

Gina Biver for Jane Franklin Dance's "Sound Walk" at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center, March 1, 2008

Ramin Rad & Yuval David for Ziva's Spanish Dance Ensemble's "The Copla Flamenca" at Corcoran Gallery of Art, April 9, 2008

Yoko K for Ilana Silverstein's "Essence" at Joy of Motion Jack Guidone Theater, February 16 & 17, 2008

Excellence in Stage Design/Multimedia
This award recognizes a designer or videographer who creates an outstanding scenic environment in which dance is performed.

James Kronzer for The Washington Ballet's "Cinderella" at The Warner Theatre, May 7-11, 2008

John St. Amour and Ben Levine for Arts United of Washington's "The Scenic Route 07" at Dance Place, October 27-28, 2007

Cheryl M. Brown for Derek Brown/The X Faction Dance Company's "007: The Mission" at The Ronald Reagan Building, July 21, 2007

Cheryl M. Brown in Derek Brown/The X Faction Dance Company's "Torn" at The Atlas, October 21, 2007

Brian Williams in Step Afrika!'s "Nxt/Step" at Lansburgh Theater, December 1, 2007

Outstanding Overall Production – Small Venue
The nominees in this category performed in venues with fewer than 400 seats, are chosen for original full evening productions this season, and include all dance genres. They are judged on the many elements involved in creating a dance production including production quality, programming choices, choreography, choice of collaborators, and technical and artistic expression of the dancers.

The Center Dance Company and Dana Tai Soon Burgess and Company in "Spring Forward!" at Thomas Jefferson Community Theater, May 16-18, 2008

Sahara Dance for "Under a Desert Moon 6" at The Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre, May 10 & 11, 2008

The Washington Ballet for "7 X 7: Love Duets" at The Washington Ballet England Studio Theater, February 19- March 9, 2008

The Washington Ballet, Studio Company in "MOON/DANCE" at ATLAS Performing Arts Center, October 12 & 13, 2007

Vincent E. Thomas, VTDance in "Grandmother project" at Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, June 1, 2007

Flamenco Aparicio in "Edwin Aparicio: Selected Works" at GALA Hispanic Theatre, December 8, 2007

Contradiction Dance for "Contradiction Dance: An Exchange Between Life & Dance" at Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, April 3, 2008

Step Afrika! at The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, January 22-27, 2008

Joy of Motion Senior Dance Company in Youth Dance Ensemble's Spring Performance at JCC of Greater Washington Kreeger Auditorium, May 11, 2008

"Dance Bethesda" at The Round House Theater, March 3, 2008

ClancyWorks Dance Company for "Spinning Webs" at Dance Place, April 12 & 13 2008

Echo Park Contemporary Ballet for "ART, an evening of dance solo artistry" at Dance Place, March 21, 2008

Laura Schandelmeier & Stephen Clapp for "Portals" at Dance Place, June 23 & 24, 2008

VTDance & INSPIRIT for "Ideals and Isms" at Dance Place, March 8 & 9, 2008

Tehreema Mitha Dance Company at Dance Place, August 4 & 5, 2007

Arts United of Washington for "The Scenic Route 07" at Dance Place, October 27 & 28, 2007

Nejla Yatkin, Tehreema Mitha and Gesel Mason for "The Essence of Dance" at Atlas Performing Arts Center, November 12, 2007

Tappers With Attitude Youth Ensemble for "Syncopated Sensations" at Dance Place, December 15 & 16, 2007

Dance Asia Alliance for "Dance Asia 2007" at The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, September 29, 2007

Indian Dance Educators Association for "Dance Festival of India 2007" at Kreeger Auditorium & Thomas Jefferson Theater, November 16 & 17, 2007

25th Annual Choreographers' Showcase at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, February 2, 2008

DC Artist Collective for "A Showcase of Dance Diversity" at Greenberg Theatre, June 16, 2007

Divine Dance Institute for "Crimson Thread" at Kay Theater, University of Maryland, June 16 & 17, 2007

"Joy of Motion 31st Anniversary Concert" at The Atlas, October 21, 2007

DCypher Dance in "The Cipher on H" at Atlas Performing Arts Center, July 7, 2007

Liz Lerman Dance Exchange in "Love, Etcetera" at Gonda Theatre, Georgetown University, February 14-16, 2008

Ziva's Spanish Dance Ensemble in "Duende y Compas" at Corcoran Gallery of Art, April 9, 2008

Kathy Harty Gray Dance Theatre for "Women in Virginia & Other Favorites" at Tyler Auditorium, November 4 & 5, 2007

El Teatro De Danza Contemporanea De El Salvador in "Power Passion Poetry" at Gala Theatre at Tivoli Square, May 3 & 4, 2008

Outstanding Overall Production – Large Venue
The nominees in this category performed in venues with more than 400 seats, are chosen for original full evening productions this season, and include all dance genres. They are judged on the many elements involved in creating a dance production including production quality, programming choices, choreography, choice of collaborators, and technical and artistic expression of the dancers.

Motion Mania in "20th Anniversary" at Robert Parilla Performing Arts Center, January 18 & 19, 2008

The Washington Ballet for "High Lonesome" at Harman Center for the Arts, April 2-6, 2008

The Washington Ballet's "Cinderella" at Warner Theatre, May 7-11, 2008

Silk Road Dance Company for "Gul Bahaar" at Gunston Theater One, June 16, 2007

Bowen McCauley Dance for "Bowen McCauley Dance 12th Anniversary Concert with all Live Music at the Terrace," at Kennedy Center Terrace, October 27 & 28, 2007

Bowen McCauley Dance for "Rapture" at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, March 8 & 9 2008

Northeast Performing Arts Group for "The Lion King:RELOADED" at Howard University's Cramton Auditorium, January 31 - February 2, 2008

"World Dance Showcase" at Publick Playhouse, March 15, 2007

Olney Ballet Theatre for "The Nutcracker" at The Olney Theatre Center, December 7-24, 2007

CityDance Ensemble for "Jungle Books" at the Lansburgh Theatre, December 15 &16, 2007

Future Shock DC for "Poetry In Motion" at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, June 2, 2007

BosmaDance for "Euphoria" at Rachel M. Schlesigner Concert Hall and Arts Center, February 9 & 10, 2008

CityDance Ensemble for "Shakespeare Sonnets" at the Harman Center for the Arts, March 7 - 9, 2008

Santi Budaya Indonesian Dance for "The Journey to the Scenery of Indonesia" at UDC, July 22,2007

The Washington Ballet for "Genius" at the Harman Center for the Arts, January 30-February 3, 2008

Washington Ballet for "Cinderella" at The Warner Theatre, May 8-11, 2008

Step Afrika!, Coyaba Dance Theater and Washington Reflections Dance Company for "Winter Heat" at Lansburgh Theater, December 1, 2007

Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education
This award recognizes an individual or organization for outstanding ongoing contributions to the field of dance through educational efforts. These efforts may include academic or non-academic dance training, outreach programs, and/or performances for students and nontraditional audiences.

Olu Yemisi for her teaching the past 8 years in the Washington DC area. She has always been about excellence in her lessons, workshops, and lecture/ demonstrations.

Junious "House" Brickhouse and Urban Artistry for their continued excellence and contribution to proper education for youth in urban dance culture, urban arts culture and hip hop culture in several outreach programs organized by LAYC, Project mytime and N.

Rima Faber founded and directed The Primary Movers (1979-1997),a dance school in DC that addressed the technical, artistic, psychological, cognitive, and even academic development of children of all ages, and began teaching academics through dance and creative movement in DC Public schools in 1980. She received her doctorate in education (1997), and was instrumental in forming the National Dance Education Organization and the Capital Region Educators of Dance Organizations. She chaired the NDEO Task Forces to develop national "Standards for Dance in Early Childhood," and "Standards for Learning and Teaching Dance in the Arts: Ages 5-18, and and just freely served to develop standards for DC's "Arts Education Learning Standards for Dance." .

Rita Jackson is an extraordinary woman and mother working to save the young people who live in her community. She has provided more than twenty nine years of services continuously to more than 5000 young people. Founder and Executive Director of Northeast Performing Arts Group and Northeast Outreach Youth Center which she began with her own resources, she is always aggressively seeking resources to maintain a Safe Haven atmosphere for the young people that she comes in contact with on a daily basis.

Dimensions Center for the Performing Arts for excellence in dance education. Even though they are a new studio, they have been dedicated in authentic dance education, training, and performance opportunities to the youth of Prince George's County.

Miya Hisaka, ballet and modern dance instructor at Joy of Motion Dance Center. Ms. Hisaka is committed to quality and professionalism in dance education for adults and has been a mentor and inspiration to countless DC dancers.

Lorraine Speigler with Citydance at Strathmore. She's done an excellent job developing the program.

Helen Hayes for outstanding dedication to her students and her craft. Her work with Joy of Motion Dance Center and the Joy of Motion Youth Dance Ensemble's high level of achievement. Helen Hayes is an extraordinarily gifted teacher, a genius at joining technique and spirit. Her enthusiasm and strength inspires all of her students, from beginner to advanced, to experience the emotional power of dance. To be a student of Helen’s is a life changing adventure,asking that we dance from the depths of our souls, just as she teaches from the depths of her heart.

Joy of Motion Dance Centers for affordable, eclectic dance options; and incredibly talented staff.

Lucy Bowen McCauley of Bowen McCauley Dance.Bowen McCauley Dance coordinated and led a dance company at Kenmore Middle School in Arlington Public Schools in Virginia, leading to a 90-minute, five-piece performance on May 3&4, 2008. Bowen McCauley Dance coordinated and led a dance company at Kenmore Middle School in Arlington Public Schools in Virginia, leading to a 90-minute, five-piece performance on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday May 4 with both student and professional dancers. Most innovative was the integration of science and mathematics in costume design by students in coordination with faculty from Virginia Tech's Math and Science Education graduate program in Falls Church. As we redefine our idea of a liberal education in an increasingly technology-focused society, it is important for artists to recognize their experiments with colors, textures, design, materials and movement are among the best examples of cross-curricular, trans-disciplinary science.

Victoria Moss, Tappers with Attitude Youth Ensemble Artistic Director for her dedication to preserve and promote tap dance as a percussive art and fostering this new generation of tap dancers - through performance, instruction, outreach and incredible choreographic opportunities - to carry on the art.

The directors of Metropolitan Fine Arts Center for excellence in dance education, fostering a love for dance, music, theater, and the arts, and for inspiring hundreds of performers annually.

Mrs.Anuradha Nehru for creating awareness of the Indian dance form Kuchipudi, and for dedication in teaching this form of dance to perfection.

Elizabeth Johnson, Associate Artistic Director of Liz Lerman Dance Exchange functions as artist, choreographer, teacher, administrator, and mentor in myriad ways that extend the definition of what dance education can be. She has built the Teen Exchange of Liz Lerman Dance Exchange into a comprehensive program that engages teens as whole people, imparting dance and choreographic technique while cultivating participants' intellects, leadership skills and community vision. In arts-in-education contexts she is pursuing innovative ways to use dance and artmaking to teach core curriculum, especially science, through work with such partners as the National Human Genome Research Institute and the Maryland Science Center.

Sahara Dance Studio has standardize teaching techniques which made it the one of the best Middle Eastern Dance Studio there is in DC. There are various levels and dance interpretations available to students.

Mel Allard: For 11 years she has worked with HST (Home School Theatre) which started out as stage movement and dance for non-dancer types to a full-fledged dance program consisting of 12 classes of varying levels - including "boys jazz" with 12 boys!

Doug Yeuell Executive Director for Joy of Motion Dance Center. For dance outreach to people over 50 who can still find pleasure and the satisfaction of self expression through dance movement.

Septime Webre, Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet, is a tireless advocate for dance education. Under his leadership, The Washington School of Ballet continues to be recognized nationally and internationally for its commitment to excellence in dance. In addition, during his tenure at the head of the organization, Mr. Webre has led the development of two extraordinary programs: TWB@THEARC and DanceDC: Inaugurated in Summer 2005, TWB@THEARC houses both unique community programs for The Washington Ballet and a branch of The Washington School of Ballet east of the Anacostia River. A progressive forging ground for The Washington Ballet and our partners, The Town Hall Education Arts and Recreation Center (THEARC) is a distinctive environment for adults and children of all ages to learn, share, discover and thrive. With state-of-the-art facilities, THEARC serves its unique community in innovative ways and with grassroots meaning. Now reaching over 600 students, the DanceDC program has grown and expanded dramatically since its pilot year in 1999. The Washington Ballet's partnership with DC Public Schools and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is in its fifth year, helping to make DanceDC The Washington Ballet's highly acclaimed flagship education program. DanceDC uses The Washington Ballet's unique integrated dance/language arts curriculum, Dancing With Words, to help children: • Write poems, read folk tales, and keep journals to develop their verbal and written skills as they learn dance; • Study about dance leaders, particularly African-American and Latino artists; and, • Engage in creative movement work. The language arts is in complete compliance with the Washington, D.C. Public School Standards for the grades we reach. The in-school programs component have a stronger focus on the language arts component and integrating that component with music, dance and the visual arts. The after-school classes also offer creative writing and other language arts activities, while focusing more on in-depth, classical, pre-ballet technique training.

Alan M. Kriegsman Award
This award recognizes a person or organization for his/her ongoing artistic or community service to the DC/MD/VA region. Nominees can be school directors, artists who have made an impact on the field, persons or organizations that have supported the dance community, etc. THIS AWARD IS DECIDED BY STEP 2 IN THE MDCDA PROCESS-ARTIST BALLOT.

Nancy Newell, DC Dance Collective and the DC Artists Collective for their on-going efforts at providing a place for dancers to perform, practice, educate and share with the community without interference from the administration. Nancy created DC Dance Collective and DC Artist Collective to allow artists to keep the integrity of their chosen dance style while also giving them a safe space to create, reflect and grow their art form. Her efforts have created a safe haven for many youth and adult artists in the DC Metro area, who would otherwise not be able to afford dance.

Assane Konte for all the work he has done in the African Dance commmunity.

Alexandra Tomalonis as a dance writer and dance editor of Dance View, danceviewtimes.com. She offers insight into the artform and is selfless and hard working to assure dialogue & diversity of opinion.

Douglas Yeuell-For tirelessly promoting "Dance is For Everyone" as the motto of Joy of Motion, creating an inclusive and thriving dance community in the organization; for living that motto in his teaching, dancing, choreography and administration of Joy of Motion Dance Center.He teaches everyone he comes into contact with by his extraordinary example, which in turn, inspires people to be their best.