named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Beginners' Lesson Program
Introductory session before each dance to teach basic contra dance patterns, roles (Larks and Robins), and etiquette, designed to integrate new dancers into the community.
Inclusive Dance Community Guidelines
Set of community norms promoting safety, respect, and inclusivity, including gender-neutral roles, consent-based dancing, and support for LGBTQIA+ participants.
Weekly Contra Dance Series
Weekly social dance event featuring live music, beginner lessons at 6:30 PM, and contra dancing from 7:00 to 10:00 PM with experienced callers and a welcoming community atmosphere.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Traditional & Cultural Performing Arts 2 activities
- Preserve and promote traditional English and American folk artsTeaches, documents, and sustains traditional and historical English and American dance, music, and song. Actively promotes new expressions within these traditions and supports communities where they can thrive, aligning with its mission to connect individuals who enjoy these art forms.
- Produce and support traditional dance and music eventsOrganizes signature annual and special events including the Playford Ball, 12th Night Dance, inaugural balls, and regional gatherings like the Brattleboro Playford Ball and Amherst Assembly. Also supports urban contra dances with skilled callers and live musicians, and has choreographed dances used in the broader community.
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Dance Program Access and Scholarship Support 1 activity
- Fund summer dance camp scholarships for membersProvides partial scholarship grants covering up to 40% of summer dance camp fees for members, and supplements external scholarships to cover up to 100% of costs through CDNY grant funding.
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Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Promote access and participation through membership and volunteer programsOffers discounted admission for members, free guest passes, and free entry in exchange for volunteer service at dance events. These initiatives aim to lower barriers to entry and encourage community involvement in traditional dance activities.
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Ballet and Dance Education Programs 1 activity
- Provide dance education and skill development programsOffers structured workshops, seasonal dance labs, and pre-dance instruction focused on teaching and improving skills in Contra and English Country Dance forms. Includes walk-throughs before each dance, ongoing caller cues, and specialized sessions such as the CDNY Dance Lab series and preparatory events for the annual Playford Ball.
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Support musician and caller training and mentorshipBuilds capacity in the traditional dance community by mentoring new callers and supporting musicians’ development, including funding specialized study and offering instruction at national workshops such as CDSS Early Music Week at Pinewoods Camp.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Host weekly traditional dance eventsOrganizes weekly English Country and Contra dances in New York City from September to early June, including beginner instruction, skills sessions, and live music. Events are held on Tuesdays (English) and Saturdays (Contra), with typical attendance ranging from 30 to 70 dancers per night, including first-time participants.
- Produce educational and recorded resources on traditional dance and musicAuthored instructional materials including a musicianship curriculum for English Country Dance teachers, published a book of dances titled 'Celebrations' with a companion CD, and produced 14 recordings featuring traditional dance music by the band Bare Necessities.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$64K
Contributions & grants$8K12%
Program service revenue$52K80%
Investment income$90%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$64K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$750
balance sheet
Total assets$287K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$287K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +18.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 3
- Grace Mueller — Director at Large, Volunteers
- Helen White — Director at large
- Martin Fager — Director at large
relationships · 31
Who they work with
- Alexandra Deis-Lauby Partner — Primary contact for callers and dance coordination at CDNY events.
- American Cancer Society Partner — Collaborates with members to participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.
- Ashley Smith Partner — Former Website Manager who contributed to the organization's digital presence.
- Ashokan Fiddle and Dance Camps Partner — Collaborates with or promotes joint programming through shared dance camp offerings in rustic settings.
- Bare Necessities Partner — Collaborative musical partnership producing English dance recordings
- Bay Area Country Dance Society Network — Part of a broader network of organizations promoting country dance, with reciprocal recognition and resource sharing.
- Brooklyn Contra Partner — Collaborative partner in conducting caller workshops for new caller development
- CDSS Network — Participates in CDSS Early Music Week at Pinewoods Camp.
- COUNTRY DANCE AND SONG SOCIETY INC Network — CDNY is affiliated with the Country Dance and Song Society, as indicated by member pricing and organizational alignment.
- Childgrove Partner — Collaborates with Childgrove, a YouTube channel run by CDNY teacher Paul Ross, to provide instructional videos for English Country Dance.
- Childgrove YouTube channel Partner — Stewardship of a digital archive preserving English Country Dance content
- Christina Conroy Partner — Volunteer Piano Care/Sound Technician supporting event operations.
- Church of the Village Partner — Host venue for CDNY dance events.
- Church of the Village Partner — Venue for Playford Ball preparatory sessions.
- Country Dance and Song Society Network — CDNY is affiliated with CDSS, which offers additional scholarship opportunities for members.
- Country Dance and Song Society Network — Membership and board service affiliation
- Country Dance and Song Society Inc Partner — Affiliate organization supporting traditional dance programming.
- Eventbrite Partner — Uses Eventbrite as a platform for ticket reservations for dance workshops.
- Florilegium Chamber Choir Partner — Organizational affiliation through choral participation
- Folk Dance Federation of Japan Partner — International collaboration for teaching English dance workshops
- Good-Shepherd Faith Presbyterian Church Partner — Venue for the Playford Ball event.
- Half Moon Sword Partner — Collaborative relationship involving shared performances and festival hosting
- Jeff Slivko Partner — Volunteer American Program Coordinator supporting program delivery.
- Lambertville ECD Partner — References Lambertville ECD's online collection of over 400 English Country Dance videos as a learning resource for dancers.
- National Federation of Teachers of Folk Dance Partner — Guest teaching engagement in Japan
- Oratorio Society of New York Partner — Organizational affiliation through choral participation
- Pinewoods Camp Partner — Hosts CDSS Early Music Week where the organization supports musician instruction and development.
- Pinewoods Camp Partner — Partners to offer traditional dance and music programming, including TradMad Week and other events at Pinewoods.
- Pourparler Network — Steering committee membership in a group for traditional dance and music educators
- Snapdragon Partner — Band engaged to provide music for the Playford Ball.
+ 1 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Culturally Responsive and Gender-Inclusive Dance Practicesmethodology: gender_inclusive_rolesBy replacing gendered roles with inclusive alternatives (Larks/Robins) and using gender-neutral positional calling, the organization increases accessibility and belonging for participants of all gender identities, because explicit structural inclusivity reduces social anxiety and encourages participation through mutual respect and clear communication norms.
- Education as Cultural Preservationmethodology: education-for-preservationBy teaching historical dance forms and providing educational programming on musical heritage, the organization preserves traditional country dance and music, because experiential learning rooted in historical continuity fosters appreciation, skill transmission, and cultural stewardship across generations.
- Participatory Dance for Inclusive Community Buildingmethodology: community-building-through-participatory-danceBy using participatory folk and contra dances with rotating partners and live caller instruction, the organization fosters inclusive, intergenerational community connection and breaks down social barriers, because shared physical activity in a structured, accessible format enables nonverbal, equitable interaction across diverse identities.