The (MDEA) serves dance educators and elevates dance in the state as a creative process, discipline and performing art that informs the human experience in a variety of environments. Each year, the association recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of dance education. On Oct.17 at its annual conference and 10th anniversary celebration, the MDEA recognized two TU professors transforming lives through dance.

Department of Dance chair and professor Catherine Horta-Hayden was awarded Dance Educator of the Year – Postsecondary Education. Horta-Hayden is a former assistant provost for academic affairs, past president of the International Council for Research and Pedagogical Studies (CORPS) de Ballet Inc., current chair of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD) Commission on Accreditation and on the board of directors. She also recently received a Governor’s Citation in appreciation of her outstanding services to the citizens of the state.

The MDEA awarded professor emerita and former chair of the Department of Dance Susan Kirchner the Living Legacy Award for her commitment to dance education. Kirchner’s career at Towson University has included the stewardship of dance faculty and staff toward fulfilling the creative and scholarly research and realizing their teaching goals and insights. She has been a proactive administrator and advocate for dance within higher education for the past 21 years. Kirchner served as chair of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD) Ethics and Nominations committees. She also served on the executive board and vice president for the Division of Dance Science and Somatics of the National Dance Association (NDA).