Enable "JavaScript" and reload this page to see email links. The NFDI World Dance Scholarship

[Home] [News] [Benefits] [Join] [Dances & Classes] [Special Events Calendar] [Advertise] [Workshops] [Scholarships] [Youth Fund] [NFDI Contact] [NFDI Board] [Resources] [Links] [Start a New Club]

NFDI World Dance Scholarship

There is also a PDF version of this form.

Scholarships are offered annually (at the discretion of the NFDI Board) by the Northwest Folk Dancers, Incorporated (NFDI), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting folk dancing in the northwestern United States. Scholarships are awarded to defray the cost of attending a folk dance workshop, institute, dance camp, or festival of the recipient's choice (specified in advance on the application form); the scholarship recipient will be expected to teach dances learned at the event to at least two NFDI member clubs.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the scholarship is twofold:

  1. To encourage new teachers of folk dancing who can revitalize folk dancing with their enthusiasm and leadership
  2. To stimulate the introduction of new dances into the local folk dance community.

AMOUNT: Scholarships are offered in amounts from $100–$250 to partially defray the expenses of transportation, lodging, and event fees (including the cost of music and dance instructions) for a folk dance workshop, institute, dance camp, or festival.

ELIGIBILITY: To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

  1. Be a NFDI member in good standing (current membership dues paid).
  2. Demonstrate proficiency and above-average interest in folk dancing.
  3. Express the desire and exhibit the potential to teach ethnic dance.
  4. Agree to attend the dance instruction given at the selected folk dance workshop, institute, dance camp, or festival and to learn the dances presented with the expectation of teaching them after the event.
  5. Agree to acquire or prepare complete instructional materials: dance descriptions or syllabi; background notes on the source of the dance, its history, styling, variations, etc.; and appropriate recorded music (and sheet music, if available).
  6. Agree to teach a minimum of two dances learned at the event to at least two NFDI member clubs within the ensuing six months.
  7. Submit a completed application form and a minimum of two recommendations (one from a current folk dance instructor) to the NFDI board.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications can be submitted at any time during the year.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT:

  1. Teach at least two dances learned at the folk dance workshop, institute, dance camp, or festival to at least two NFDI member clubs. Notify the NFDI board of the dates, times, and locations of the teaching sessions at least a week prior to the class so that a board member has the opportunity to be present.
  2. Provide a complete set of instructional materials to NFDI and to each club where dances are taught in fulfillment of this contract. Costs of reproducing the dance descriptions, notes, and recorded music will be reimbursed by NFDI.
  3. Write an article about your experience attending the workshop or camp. What was it like, and what did you learn?
  4. Furnish receipts and a completed expense report to the NFDI board substantiating the expenses for which the scholarship money was used.
  5. If circumstances prevent the fulfillment of this contract, the scholarship recipient will return the full amount of the scholarship to NFDI.
  6. Money can be applied toward events attended any time during the year (including events attended prior to the scholarship award.)

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NFDI BOARD:

  1. Notify the scholarship winner(s).
  2. Provide the scholarship money to the recipient(s).
  3. Keep accurate records of how this contract is fulfilled and obtain reimbursement of the scholarship moneys if the scholarship recipient fails to fulfill the agreement.

AWARD CRITERIA: The NFDI board reserves the right not to award scholarships if, in the opinion of the board, none of the candidates meet the qualifications. Amount of award is at the discretion of the NFDI board. All decisions of the board are final.

The applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria (not necessarily listed in order of importance):

  1. Proficiency in folk dance, as observed by board members and/or attested to in letters of recommendation attached to the application. Proficiency will be judged by whether the candidate has a sense of rhythm, authentic styling, appropriate movement, and proper carriage, among other things.
  2. Interest in teaching folk dance, as expressed on the application form, to NFDI board members, or by previous training in teaching dance.
  3. Frequent attendance at regularly scheduled folk dance events (four times per month, or more).
  4. Commitment to the local folk dance community. Candidates who have been dancing in the local area for more than a year and who expect to remain in the Northwest will be given preference over those who are new to the area or who expect to be leaving the area within less than a year.
  5. Recommendations, and the folk dance knowledge and skill level of the people who prepared them. At least one recommendation should be from a current folk dance teacher.
  6. Need, and previous scholarship awards. Preference will be given to candidates with a demonstrated need for the scholarship money, and to candidates who have not previously been awarded this scholarship. This scholarship may not be granted to the same candidate more than two times.

We, the undersigned, agree to abide by the terms and conditions set forth in this document.

Applicant

NFDI President


________________________________ Date ___________
Signature


________________________________ Date ___________
Signature

________________________________
Printed name

________________________________
Printed name

NFDI SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

(Please type or print)

Name:

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Address:

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Phone:

(Day) _________________________ (Evening ) ____________________________

Event Name:


______________________________________

Event Location:

City: ________________________________________ State/Province/District: __________________

Country: ____________________________________

Dance Ethnicity:


___________________________________

Event Dates:

From: _________________________________ To: ___________________________________

Event Costs:

Registration fee: ____________________ Travel (est.): ____________________________________

Lodging (est.): ________________________________________

Please submit the following attachments with all pages of this application:

  1. Applicant’s statement (not to exceed one page). The statement should include information on the applicant’s dance background, interests, dance philosophy, experience, and affiliations. Also include information about where, when, and how often you dance, teaching experience (if any), and any other information you want the scholarship committee to consider when reviewing your application.
  2. Recommendations (a minimum of two, but not more than four, not to exceed 150 words each). The recommendations should assess the applicant’s dance experience and skill, the applicant’s potential to become a teacher of ethnic dance, and the applicant’s ability to interact with other dancers. At least one recommendation should be from a current folk dance teacher.

Mail to: NFDI Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 333, Lynnwood, WA 98046-0333

or send via email to NFDI.

Copyright © 1999-2024 Northwest Folk Dancers Incorporated
Address comments and questions to: NFDI Webmaster

[Home] [News] [Benefits] [Join] [Dances & Classes] [Special Events Calendar] [Advertise] [Workshops] [Scholarships] [Youth Fund] [NFDI Contact] [NFDI Board] [Resources] [Links] [Start a New Club]