U of I brings dancers together for statewide conference Sept. 26-27

MOSCOW, Idaho — Two days of movement, creativity and collaboration are coming to University of Idaho’s Moscow campus with the ninth annual Idaho Dance Education Organization (IDEO) conference, Creativity in Motion. The event — set for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26-27 — invites dance artists, students and educators from across the Northwest to connect, learn and perform.

The IDEO conference, hosted by U of I’s Dance Program, is open to participants ages 14 and older, and features workshops with keynote presenter George Staib, a long-time dance educator and artistic director of Atlanta-based dance company Staibdance. Staib, named one of top dance educators in the country by Dance Teacher Magazine, is a professor of practice in dance at Emory University, a faculty member and choreographer for the American Dance Festival and the founder of a summer dance intensive in Italy, now in its 13th year.  

Regional dance educators will also lead specialized workshops for high school and college dancers, as well as professional development for dance teachers and professional artists.  

“We are excited to have dance educators from throughout Idaho, as well as Washington, Oregon and Montana, join us in Moscow to share a variety of movement experiences and special topics in this two-day, dance-packed conference,” said Melanie Meenan, conference coordinator and clinical associate professor.

The conference includes two concerts:

• “Celebration of Dance,” Friday, Sept. 26: A showcase of conference attendees, including regional studios, companies and artists. Purchase tickets at tinyurl.com/ats5xr6d or at the door.
• “Echoes & Earth,” Saturday, Sept. 27: Portland-based Push/Fold will perform alongside U of I dance students in new work choreographed by Push/Fold’s artistic director, Samuel Hobbs. Purchase tickets at givebutter.com/pushfoldmoscow or at the door.  

Both concerts, which are open to the public, will take place at 7 p.m. at the Hartung Theater on campus. Tickets are available online or at the door and are $5 for the first show and $10-$20 for the second.  

Participants can register for both days of the conference or for Saturday only. General admission is $75 for one day and $85 for two, with discounted tickets available for students. Registration includes workshops, evening performances and lunch on Saturday. Register at tinyurl.com/4dbnv8ea.

Email dance@uidaho.edu for more information.

Media contact

Melanie Meenan 
U of I Dance Program coordinator and IDEO 2025 conference coordinator 
208-885-2184 
dance@uidaho.edu