2026 Minnesota Dance Summit: A Great Success!

March 2, 2026

On Saturday, February 21, dance educators from the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota gathered for the 2026 Minnesota Dance Summit: Rhythm and Legacy 2.0. The day started with a Pilates warm-up session led by guest teacher Ingrid Ciaccia. Then, educators continued the day working extensively in modern Afro-Caribbean and tap groove genres with guest artists Davente Gilreath (Dance 2010) and Matthew Wagner (Dance 1999), respectively. As they danced, they questioned and reframed the history of these forms and reflected on the power of teaching dance to young people. Everyone took away ideas and strategies they will use in their teaching.

Participants move together during the 2026 Minnesota Dance Summit

By all accounts, the Dance Summit was a great success! Participants were energized by the opportunity to dance together instead of always being the leader. At the end of the day, one educator reflected, “Thank you for hosting a beautiful day of learning through movement and reflection.” Another wrote, “It brings me such joy to share space with these talented, dedicated artists in Minnesota.” One common theme in the evaluations was appreciating the sense of collegial support and community that was shared by all.

The day was attended by educators teaching dance in K-12 schools, higher education, and independent studios. It was facilitated by Perpich Center’s Dance Education Specialist, Mary Harding. Mary reflected, “Ultimately, the day was filled with new learning and new community connections. Participants shared ideas for next workshops, too. I can’t wait to connect with them again!”

Mary Harding is both the Dance Education Specialist (since 2018) and the Arts High School Dance Instructor (since 1990) at Perpich. In her dance career she has performed professionally with ballet, jazz, and modern companies. While a member of the Zenon Dance Company, Harding taught dance residencies in schools across the nation. In 2002, The National Dance Association and Sportime named her the National Dance Teacher of the Year. In the same year, Mary received the SURDNA Arts Teachers Fellowship. Over the years, she has developed multiple interdisciplinary works with her colleagues and students and has presented this work at national conferences. Read more.

Davente Gilreath (Dance 2010) was born and raised in Minneapolis. His dance training began at Perpich Center for Arts Education where he was exposed to styles of dance including modern, ballet, jazz, African, and contact improvisation. Gilreath furthered his dance training at the University of Minnesota where he worked with professors such as Ananya Chatterjea, Erin Thompson, and Toni Pierce‐Sands. During this time he was also able to perform and create work with Minnesota‐based companies such as Threads Dance Project and Contempo Physical Dance (with Marciano Silva dos Santos). Gilreath joined Garth Fagan Dance in 2014 and during his 8 years with the company, performed numerous key works from the Fagan cannon around the country including new works choreographed by PJ Pennewell, the company director. He was promoted to senior company member and appointed the Director of the Garth Fagan Dance Student Ensemble. He also taught Intermediate/Advanced Fagan Technique for the Garth Fagan Dance School and for the Garth Fagan Summer Movement Institute. Gilreath is now a dance instructor at The University of Minnesota where he teaches Contemporary, African Diasporic Movement, and Jazz. In the last 3 years since returning to Minneapolis, he has danced for choreographers Joe Chvala, Darrius Strong, and is in his second season with Ananya Dance Theatre. He has set choreography for senior students at TU Dance, Perpich Center for Arts Education, Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, PiM Arts, and in his own solo work “Rumination”, which premiered in Choreographers’ Evening, Walker Art Center, Nov. 2024.

Several participants take a selfie during the 2026 Minnesota Dance Summit

Matthew Wagner (Dance 1999) is an Assistant Professor of Dance and Musical Theater at the University of Minnesota Duluth. His research is focused in dances of the African Diaspora like tap and jazz, and numerous other percussive and improvisational dance forms. Professionally, his work has been seen at the 92nd St. Y, St. Marks, Theater by the Sea, TexArts, UMD, Perpich Center for Arts Education, Renegade Theater Company, Nor-Shor Theater, and with his former Tap company, Step Brothers NYC. Matthew likes to incorporate a sense of play and exploration into his work, encouraging students to be bold in their choices. Teachers like Mary Harding, Suyenne Simoes, Susan Hebach, Roxane Butterfly, and Sharon Levi have had an immense impact on his practice.

Ingrid Ciaccia is a dance educator and certified Yoga and Pilates instructor. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Sarah Lawrence College and a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and German Cultural Studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Driven by a passion for exploring the relationship between body, mind, and movement, Ingrid’s work blends artistry with technical precision. As Studio Manager and Instructor at St. Paul Pilates and Fitness, she guides clients through breath-synchronized exercises that build strength, flexibility, and stamina while nurturing body awareness and emotional well-being. In her role as a dance educator, she inspires students to cultivate responsibility, creativity, and confidence both on and off the stage. Ingrid has directed dance programs at Rye Country Day School and Culver Academies, where she was honored with the Delmar T. Spivey Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2022. Her teaching philosophy bridges the classroom and the Pilates studio, encouraging creative exploration and interdisciplinary collaboration.