LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the New
York Dance Festival "Coming Home" from July 20-22, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to those individuals and organizations whose creative talents
and commitment have contributed to the success and progress of society
and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic
humanity among us all; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 25th Anniversary of the New York Dance Festival "Coming Home"
from July 20-22, 2016, in Auburn, New York; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be feted with a myriad of
events to be held from July 20-22, 2016; the celebration will be kicked
off with a 25 Year "Talk Around", an incredible reunion including
story-telling, viewing of rare photos, and unearthed footage from the
New York Institute of Dance and Education's archives; and
WHEREAS, On July 21, 2016, a 25 Year Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre
Concert will be held, featuring both present and former company members;
finally on July 22, 2016, the 25th Annual "A Day in Dance" Gala Cele-
bration will highlight appearances by past and present International
Faculty of the Festival and participants of the Festival throughout its
25 year history; and
WHEREAS, In 1990, Sean McLeod, an internationally known producer,
choreographer and conceptual consultant of business, established the
precursor to today's New York Dance Festival at the New York Dance
Studio in Auburn, New York; and
WHEREAS, One year later, Sean McLeod forged a partnership with Cayuga
Community College's, Director of Student Services Joy Shortell, and past
college President Dr. Larry Poole, along with Purchase Conservatory of
Dance alum to create this artistic platform; additional guest artists
invited to join the faculty included Laurie Lubeck, from the American
Ballet Theatre; and Sheryl Woodmansee, from the Washington Ballet; to
teach in sessions twice a year, known as the Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre
Winter and Summer Dance Intensives; and
WHEREAS, Shortly after that time, Thomas Warfield and Roxanna Young
were brought in to teach the classic styles of modern dance, ballet, and
dance composition they learned while studying at the Purchase Conserva-
tory of Dance, just outside of New York City; and
WHEREAS, In 1999, the name was changed, and the New York Dance
Festival was established; throughout the last 25 years, the Festival has
grown in notoriety and size for providing an ever-increasing roster of
opportunities through its world-class faculty, collaborative initi-
atives, presentational genres, and corporate economic partnerships; and
WHEREAS, For over two decades, Sean McLeod and his incredible staff
have empowered people and helped them build their self-esteem; at the
New York Dance Festival women and men of all ages work in an environment
where consistent focus is given to correcting the tradition that a
person has to be broken by the industry before they can find their
greatness; and
WHEREAS, The festival is a two week experience like none other with
eight and a half hours of dance a day with master classes in Modern,
Ballet, Hip Hop, MT Afro Hip Hop, Tap, African, Reinforced Motor Func-
tion, and the McLeod Technique; with three different levels, beginner,
intermediate, and advanced, no one is overlooked or put through the
emotional trials of an audition; and

WHEREAS, The innovative and successful program is based on the
emotional safety of its participants, which is reflected in the New York
Institute of Dance and Education's philosophy that successful teaching
requires paying equal attention to the heart of every participant; and
WHEREAS, The New York Dance Festival strives to instill positive
emotional development and good mental health into its teachings; good
dancing is not its goal, it is only a vehicle; and
WHEREAS, The New York Dance Festival is a place where teachers come to
rejuvenate and interact with like-minded dance masters from around the
world; practicing the life changing principles through movement gives
the dancers an opportunity to see if happiness is a better way to learn
dance; at the festival, the staff aims to partner with everyone, cele-
brate the greatness of effort, and challenge everyone to grow in the
face of their fears; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those organiza-
tion which enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and
have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have
earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the New York Dance Festival "Coming
Home" from July 20-22, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sean McLeod, New York Dance Festival.