Who We Are

Dance Wisconsin is a regional dance company that promotes excellence in the art of dance. The company presents high-quality productions featuring dancers from all over southern and central Wisconsin and distinguished guest artists from companies around the world. These productions not only offer the opportunity for young people to explore new heights, but also to learn teamwork, commitment and a sense of pride in accomplishing something truly extraordinary. Dance Wisconsin is the state’s only Honor Company in Midstates Regional Dance America.

Dance Wisconsin provides the vehicle for young dancers to go beyond their studio dance experience and learn more about their art form while making valuable connects in the dance world at a professional and collegian level. Dance Wisconsin offers dedicated dancers the opportunity to train at a high level to achieve their goals whether they are simply to be the best dancer they can be or if they wish to pursue dancing beyond High School. Dance Wisconsin offers them the training and opportunities to help make anything happen.

Dance Wisconsin also opens the door for youngsters who may never have the opportunity to learn about dance. Artistic director Jo Jean Retrum has successfully pioneered the Dance in the Schools program, which reaches students who may not have been exposed to the art of classical ballet or other genres of dance.  She and her staff of professional teachers teach dance classes in some of Dane County’s largest student populations serving free and reduced lunch. The Dance in the Schools program taught in two to three week residencies during Physical Education Classes meets the State of Wisconsin’s criteria for the dance unit in elementary schools. Almost entirely self funded by grants written by a team of volunteers, the program introduces multiple forms of dance including ballet, jazz, hip hop as well as the mindfulness of yoga to elementary classes grades 1 - 5. Since the beginning of the Dance in the Schools program Ms. Retrum has discovered multiple dancers that have gone on to dance on full scholarship at her dance studio Monona Academy of Dance and advanced to dancing with Dance Wisconsin and even on to professional dancing careers or teaching dance. Most importantly they have become well rounded individuals giving back to their communicities.

Dance Wisconsin Company

Our Dance Wisconsin dance company consists of dancers ranging in age from 12 to adult.  They are the only group in the state awarded the National Dance America Honor Company by Regional Dance America, an organization that provides a vital link for dancers into the professional and/or collegian world. Dance Wisconsin dancers train year round, attending workshops and programs at some of the most prestigious professional dance companies, including Bolshoi Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Boston Ballet, BalletMet, Alonzo King Lines, Joffrey Ballet and many more. They are consistently recognized each year for being among the top young dancers in the nation.

Company dancers are the ballet de corps for Dance Wisconsin, providing the foundation for our annual productions. They also work with nationally recognized choreographers who come to Madison to set dance pieces for the annual Regional Dance America Midstates Dance Festival. It is a process that takes nearly a year beginning with learning the steps from choreographers during the summer months to working for nine months to perfect their moves and ending with the annual Dance Festival in Spring. Dancers showcase their works in the winter to a visiting Midstates’ adjudicator. The adjudication involves a full ballet class conducted by the artistic director and a performance of selected pieces, including those choreographed by Dance Wisconsin dancers. Final selections are featured at the annual Dance Festival. The festival offers exposure and opportunities, including dance workshops, summer intensive scholarships, college scholarships and cash scholarships as well, with some of the nation’s top names in the dance industry attend or provide instruction during the event.

Dance Wisconsin does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all our dancers, members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and patrons.