Last week, the dance education community gathered at The Loft at City Winery in New York City, to celebrate five exemplary educators whose work has shaped generations of dancers and strengthened their communities.
This year’s 2026 Dance Teacher Awards honorees—Jacqulyn Buglisi, Archie Burnett, Zvi Gotheiner, Sheela Ramanath, and Lynn Simonson—represent a remarkable range of dance traditions, teaching philosophies, and artistic legacies.
If you were able to join us for this special event, thank you for dedicating your afternoon to recognizing the immense contributions of these teaching artists.
If you couldn’t make it this time, it’s not too late to soak up everything these educators had to share. Here are some highlights from the inspiring, heartwarming event.
Jacqulyn Buglisi
“For me, dance is not an art form; it’s a way of being alive,” said Jacqulyn Buglisi, founder and artistic director of Buglisi Dance Theatre, in her acceptance speech. “Dance has been the greatest love of my life, and I have lived it, breathed it, and devoted myself to its endless possibilities.”
Throughout her career, Buglisi has connected technique, artistry, and humanity, carrying forward the legacy of Martha Graham while inspiring generations of dancers to reach their fullest potential: “I teach because I believe in the power of dance to transform a life. Because generations of dancers are hungry to learn.”
Archie Burnett
A celebrated performer, educator, and member of the House of Ninja, Archie Burnett has shared the art and culture of voguing with dancers globally, championing individuality, authenticity, and the power of community.
“Dance has been my life since the time I was born…and I’m very proud and happy I can share my life with kids and people around the world,” he said in his acceptance speech. Burnett also paid tribute to the people who shaped his journey, thanking “all of the people and experiences that added to what I call my ‘dance DNA.’ They’re the real heroes, and without them I would not be and could not be.”
Zvi Gotheiner
Through decades of teaching, including his longstanding open class at New York City Center, Gotheiner has created a welcoming space for dancers to explore movement, trust themselves, and discover greater freedom in their physicality.
After suffering a stroke in 2021, he feared his time in the dance world might be over. Instead, his return to teaching has deepened his commitment to openness and accessibility—and reshaped his own understanding of what it means to teach.
Reflecting on his recovery during the event, he said: “To be able to walk again, I need mentors again. I have had to let go of all my assumptions and all my theories as a teacher and become a student again.”
Sheela Ramanath
As founder and artistic director of Kalavaridhi Center for Performing Arts, Sheela Ramanath has championed bharatanatyam, connecting students to Indian classical dance through rigorous training, cultural understanding, artistry, and service.
“Reflecting on my 25 years of teaching bharatanatyam, I have realized that this journey has taught me as much as I have tried to teach my students,” she said.
For Ramanath, teaching goes far beyond mastering a movement or perfecting choreography. It’s about the growth that happens along the way: learning discipline, patience, and perseverance; building confidence; and becoming more responsible and sensitive to others. “I believe these are life’s valuable lessons that stay with students long after they leave the classroom.”
Lynn Simonson
In a moving close to the celebration, Lynn Simonson congratulated her fellow honorees and reflected on the teachers and mentors who have helped shape her own path.
The creator of Simonson Technique and founder of Better Brain & Balance, Simonson has transformed jazz-dance pedagogy with an approach that honors each dancer’s individuality. She has also extended her teaching philosophy to inclusive movement programs for older adults.
“As teachers, we have a huge responsibility to hold a space of integrity and safety. We teach, we educate, we mentor, we encourage. We plant seeds, we pay it forward, and then we let it go. And after that, we start again,” she said. “Have we chosen this profession or did it choose us? Because on some level, whether intuitive or conscious, we know we are of heart service, and mine is filled.”
Congratulations again to our honorees. We hope to see you next year at the 2027 Dance Teacher Awards!