The Danscompany of Gainesville, Inc., was formed in November 1983 to offer semi-professional performance opportunities to Gainesville area dancers and with the intent to give back to the local community. The company consists of Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop and Contemporary groups featuring adults, youth, and children with over 120 performers and members each season. Each season, Danscompany performs
two productions, the full length ballet Cinderella and a Spring Concert followed by the original production of State of Wonder. Performers present pieces at local arts festivals, tree lightings, Ronald McDonald House, Tacacchale, local schools and more. Danscompany runs a Chance to Dance program teaching a weekly class at a local after school program providing performance opportunities to participants. The company also hosts toy and book drives. The love of dance, a desire to perform and give back to the local community motivates performing and board members as well as volunteers within the group to spend long hours and contribute to the company mission. Nina Kessler Cameron, the founding Artistic Director of the Danscompany, taught dance in Gainesville for 40 years. She opened her own studio, Cameron Dancenter, our resident company, in September 1983 in order to create a positive, inclusive environment and believed that dance is for everybody. Nina instilled the company with its core values of family, community, service, leadership, ingenuity and the generosity of spirit and heart that create the magic on and off the stage. We continue to "Dance from the Heart" in her spirit. Jeri-Lynn Rapczak, who trained under Nina's mentorship, serves as the current Artistic Director, and continues to seek new training and performance opportunities to help broaden the scope of Danscompany's experience and presence.
