Giordano Dance Chicago Youth Arts Education Programs
Giordano Dance Chicago, 1111 North Wells Street, Suite 307, Chicago, IL 60610
About
Giordano Dance Chicago Youth Arts Education focuses on jazz dance choreography as part of its Youth Arts Education programming. The program includes mentorships and scholarships, as well as free Chicago Public Schools programs and free park programs.
Giordano Dance Chicago is described as America’s original jazz dance company and one of the longest running dance companies in the world, with deep roots in Chicago and around the globe in 28 countries, 47 states, and more than 1,300 cities. The company is one of the few dance companies in the world that has a foundational technique, the Nan Giordano Certification Program®, with certified teachers in 9 countries and 37 states. Giordano Dance Chicago is committed to Youth Arts Education at home and on tour through mentorships, scholarships, and free Chicago Public Schools and park programs.
The artistic leadership team includes Nan Giordano as artistic leader, Cesar G. Salinas as Associate Artistic Director, Al Blackstone as Resident Choreographer, and founder Gus Giordano as the founder of the company. Nan Giordano is responsible for commissioning innovative choreographic works and mentoring thousands of dancers, and she is celebrating 42 years as an artistic leader as the company enters its 64th season. One outreach student shared, “Giordano gave me confidence,” attributed to Adriana, a 4th grade GDC outreach student.
The organization’s mission states that Giordano Dance Chicago creates and presents innovative jazz dance choreography, often redefining and expanding the definition of jazz dance, and brings this American art form to audiences and students of all ages and backgrounds. The mission also states that GDC is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Giordano Technique and that this mission and organizational vision inform the organization’s artistic programming.
Last updated July 30, 2026.
Giordano Dance Chicago is described as America’s original jazz dance company and one of the longest running dance companies in the world, with deep roots in Chicago and around the globe in 28 countries, 47 states, and more than 1,300 cities. The company is one of the few dance companies in the world that has a foundational technique, the Nan Giordano Certification Program®, with certified teachers in 9 countries and 37 states. Giordano Dance Chicago is committed to Youth Arts Education at home and on tour through mentorships, scholarships, and free Chicago Public Schools and park programs.
The artistic leadership team includes Nan Giordano as artistic leader, Cesar G. Salinas as Associate Artistic Director, Al Blackstone as Resident Choreographer, and founder Gus Giordano as the founder of the company. Nan Giordano is responsible for commissioning innovative choreographic works and mentoring thousands of dancers, and she is celebrating 42 years as an artistic leader as the company enters its 64th season. One outreach student shared, “Giordano gave me confidence,” attributed to Adriana, a 4th grade GDC outreach student.
The organization’s mission states that Giordano Dance Chicago creates and presents innovative jazz dance choreography, often redefining and expanding the definition of jazz dance, and brings this American art form to audiences and students of all ages and backgrounds. The mission also states that GDC is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Giordano Technique and that this mission and organizational vision inform the organization’s artistic programming.
Last updated July 30, 2026.
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