Parents Promoting Dance

The Dance Theater of Syracuse (DTS) is an emerging dance force in Central New York . 

Vision Statement

11.11.11, will forever mark, a new direction for our organization, formerly known as Parents Promoting Dance. We have chosen to rename ourselves. A name that encompasses the fullness of what we, have become…as an organization, a school and a company. The name we have chosen for ourselves pays homage to the dance legacy from which we come and the dance legacy that we endeavor to impart to or dancers. We are channeling Alvin Ailey, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Arthur Mitchell and the Dance Theater of Harlem and Garth Fagan and Garth Fagan Dance and Katherine Dunham. We caught a vision to walk into that light and that love and that level of artistry, excellence and passion to birth and to share this legacy with future generations of young people in Central New York who aspire to master the art of dance, heighten their creativity and artistry and to bond with a community of people that will use their art to affect change for good in the world. Toward that end: The Dance Theater of Syracuse (DTS) is an emerging dance force in Central New York which honors the dance traditions the great African American Dance pioneers of the 20th Century.

A pre-professional conservatory of dance specializing in seeding the training of the next generation of accomplished artists. The DTS School: aspires to become the feeder school in Central New York to: the major conservatories across the country; including The Julliard School the Ailey Fordham Program, Boston Conservatory and the North Carolina School of the Arts; and the major dance companies of our day. The DTS Ensemble seeks to become the first professional Dance Company in Syracuse, New York – a place for emerging choreographers to develop and present new works; and a place for our young protégés to return to and perform should they desire to return to Central New York.

Founded in the year 2000,  DTS has endeavored to seek out and nurture creative young people who are interested in the arts.   DTS is committed to providing exceptional instruction to enable gifted students the opportunity to explore, develop and present their artistic talents in the performing arts.  Toward this end DTS provides year round dance instruction,  master classes, performance opportunities and field trips to our growing student body.

DTS also supports and coordinates student attendance at dance intensive workshops near and far.  Our dancers have participated in many summer dance intensives including: The New York State Summer School of the Arts, Garth Fagan Dance, Peridance, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Philadanco, the Syracuse University Summer Dance Intensive and the Dance Theater of Harlem.

DTS Dancers have participated in numerous community festivals and events including: the Table of Silence Project: A Prayer for Peace with Buglisi Dance Theatre, The T.A.P Festival, Juneteenth, The Westcott Cultural Fair, Plowshares, World Aids Day, The Clean Slate Diaries and The Great New York State Fair.  DTS also enjoys performing in schools through the county.

The DTS School is located in the Westcott Nation of Syracuse,NY.  Our goal is to provide each student with a life-long passion for the art of dance and the necessary pre-requisites to pursue careers as performers, choreographers, teachers and or, the confidence and the work ethic to pursue the career of their dreams.

Recent Accomplishments:

2013:  Tevin Johnson wins Gold in the National NAACP ACT-S0 Competition

Two students accepted to the Professional Division – Ailey School Summer Intensive-on scholarship. Two DTS students accepted to Dance Theater of Harlem Summer Intensive and the Syracuse Summer Dance Intensive Program.

100% of our graduates go on to college.