A New Horizon for Dance Exchange
Dear Friends,
As Dance Exchange prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary season, we are delighted to announce a new chapter of leadership for the organization.
Beginning July 1, Cassie Meador will serve as Artistic Director and Stephen Clapp as Executive Director. Together, they will co-lead Dance Exchange through a model rooted in collaboration, partnership, and the belief that our strongest work emerges when leadership is shared.
As Chair and Vice-Chair of the Dance Exchange Board, we are excited about the shared vision, collaborative partnership, and depth of experience Cassie and Stephen bring to this next chapter. Together, they are committed to building on Dance Exchange's remarkable legacy while investing in the people, relationships, and creative practices that continue to make this community so extraordinary.
This transition represents both continuity and possibility. Cassie has been part of the Dance Exchange community since 2002 and has served in an artistic leadership role since 2011, helping to shape the organization's artistic vision and community partnerships. Stephen first joined Dance Exchange as an intern in 2000 and returned five years ago as Creative Producer and Director of Racial Equity, bringing thoughtful leadership across our programs, partnerships, and organizational life. Together, Cassie and Stephen share a deep commitment to Dance Exchange's mission and an exciting vision for its future.
As we celebrate 50 Years of Exchange. A Future in Motion, we remain committed to expanding who gets to dance, where dance happens, what dance is about, and why dance matters. Through our work in Creative Aging, Climate Action, and Community Connection, we will continue creating spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds can gather, imagine, create, and thrive together.
This moment is also one of deep gratitude.
For more than eleven years, Silvia Roberts has been an integral part of Dance Exchange's leadership, serving most recently as Executive Managing Director. Through her steady leadership and care for our partners and the Community & Creative Hub, she has helped guide the organization through seasons of growth, challenge, and possibility. While she retired from her role at the end of June, Silvia will continue supporting the Community & Creative Hub through the end of August as Interim Hub Manager to ensure a smooth transition. We extend our heartfelt thanks for her remarkable contributions and wish her every success as she begins this next chapter.
As we honor our legacy and look toward a new horizon, we invite you to imagine what comes next with us. Whether you have been part of Dance Exchange for decades or are just discovering our community, you are part of the story we are creating together. We look forward to sharing more about our 50th anniversary season in the months ahead and to celebrating this milestone year together.
With gratitude,
Deborah Riley Elli Kerlow
Chair Vice-Chair
Dance Exchange Board of Directors Dance Exchange Board of Directors