For four days each September, Amelia Island becomes more than a beautiful and historic coastal destination; it transforms itself into a stage for creativity, collaboration, and movement with the return of the dynamic Amelia Island Dance Festival (AIDF) each year. This year’s festival, running from September 10 to September 13, offers an extraordinary lineup of acclaimed performers, emerging artists, and exciting opportunities for audiences of all ages to experience the power of dance right here on Amelia Island.
This year, the festival enters a dramatic new phase, as many returning artists are coming not simply to perform, but to create! Through world premieres, original collaborations, and immersive experiences designed specifically for Amelia Island audiences, the 2026 festival celebrates dance as a living art form: one that continues to evolve, inspire, and bring people together.
From professionally staged performances and emerging artist showcases to free community events and more than 30 workshops, AIDF offers something for everyone. “The festival isn’t just an event,” says Susan “Susie” Dodge, AIDF executive artistic director. “It’s a showcase of dance, unity, and artistic expression. Our goal has always been to make dance and healthy movement vibrant and accessible for Amelia Islanders and visitors alike.”
A DREAM REALIZED ON AMELIA ISLAND
It’s remarkable that what began as a dream among a few dance enthusiasts has quickly grown into one of Northeast Florida’s premier dance events. The Amelia Island Dance Festival was born after Susie relocated to Amelia Island in 2014. A former member of the legendary Paul Taylor Dance Company and other top New York dance troupes, Susie expected to continue her connection to dance, but starting a festival on Amelia Island was not initially part of the plan.
As she became involved in the community, Susie discovered a growing number of local dance teachers, students, and arts supporters who wanted more opportunities to experience dance. Amelia Island already enthusiastically celebrated music through popular events like the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival and Sounds on Centre, visual arts through the annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival and Artrageous Artwalk, and literature through the Amelia Island Book Festival. The question became simple: why not a festival dedicated to dance?
With that idea, the movement began. Susie joined forces with fellow dance advocates and community leaders to create AIDF as a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing exceptional dance experiences to the island. Among those early supporters was Linda Loftis-Vrooman, AIDF president, who studied, performed, and choreographed in New York City before becoming director of the Fernandina Beach studio of Royal Academy of Dance. Local realtor and theater enthusiast Carey Dresser, who also danced in New York, including with the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center, became part of the festival’s leadership team.
Since its inception, AIDF has grown far beyond its annual performances. The organization has presented dozens of sold-out shows, hosted hundreds of workshops, partnered with local organizations, awarded scholarships to promising dancers, and introduced dance in unexpected places – from beaches and marshes to community events and celebrations around the island.
Today, the festival is a destination for artists and audiences alike. Thanks to its reputation for thoughtful programming and enthusiastic support from the community, acclaimed performers from across the country are choosing Amelia Island as a place not only to share their artistry, but to create something new.
WORLD PREMIERES BRING COLLABORATION CENTER STAGE
This year, AIDF isn’t simply presenting extraordinary dance, it’s creating it! Many returning artists are using the Festival as a creative space to premiere original works, develop new collaborations, and explore fresh ways of connecting with audiences. The result is a season unlike any before, where artists from different disciplines and backgrounds come together to create experiences uniquely for Amelia Island.
Broadway tap sensation John Manzari returns in a new role, producing an original tap work created especially for the festival. Featuring five exceptional tap dancers, the brand-new piece will make its debut before an Amelia Island audience – the first opportunity for anyone to experience this exciting collaboration.
East by North Dance Theatre joins forces with acclaimed percussionist Mal Stein for an immersive new work designed to blur the line between performer and audience. Rather than watching from a distance, audiences will become part of the artistic experience as dancers move throughout the venue.
After making her festival debut last year, Colombian-born Sofía Forero returns with a deeply personal new work inspired by the music, culture, and traditions of her grandmother. Trained in classical ballet, contemporary, salsa, and other styles at New York’s Joffrey Ballet School and The Ailey School, Forero brings a distinctive Latin influence to her choreography. Through dance, she explores themes of love, resilience, and celebration, weaving together personal stories with cultural heritage.
Jacksonville native and Douglas Anderson School of the Arts graduate James Boyd III returns with the explosive athleticism and versatility that have made him one of today’s most dynamic performers. Known for his gravity-defying movement, Boyd has appeared on So You Think You Can Dance and performed alongside global icons including Elton John, Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, and Misty Copeland. For this year’s festival, he brings an innovative multimedia work that blends contemporary dance with technology and visual storytelling, exploring the evolving relationship between movement and the digital world.
Anubhava Dance Company returns for its second festival appearance, bringing audiences another opportunity to experience the beauty, discipline, and richness of classical Indian dance. The Jon Lehrer Dance Company returns with one of its most celebrated works, while Carlos Garland is preparing a special surprise for festival audiences.
Together, these artists represent the spirit of the 2026 Festival: collaboration, creativity, and the excitement of experiencing something for the very first time. Unlike a touring production that arrives fully finished, many of this year’s performances are being developed specifically for Amelia Island audiences. Throughout the festival, artists rehearse, exchange ideas, and refine choreography while working alongside fellow dancers, musicians, and creative collaborators. Audiences aren’t simply seeing performances that have traveled the country – they are witnessing the debut of works that may continue evolving long after the festival concludes. That creative process has become one of the festival’s defining characteristics, giving both artists and audiences the rare opportunity to share in the excitement of something entirely new.
THE NEXT GENERATION TAKES THE STAGE
While world-renowned artists capture the spotlight, one of the Amelia Island Dance Festival’s greatest joys is introducing audiences to the next generation of dancers and choreographers. The Emerging & Local Artist Performances showcase choreographers and performers whose careers are already gaining national recognition. This year’s lineup includes Allyson Sledge, Meaghan Novoa, Andrea Mason, and Joy Echols, along with talented local and regional performers.
Each artist brings a unique perspective, letting audiences experience the creativity shaping the future of dance. The Young Choreographers Performance continues that mission by celebrating talented high school students whose original works are selected through a regional application process. Presented on a professional stage alongside festival artists, these aspiring artists gain invaluable experience while sharing their artistic voices with the community. For audiences, it’s a chance to witness tomorrow’s choreographers today.
THE POWER OF DANCE IS FOR EVERYONE
From the beginning, the Amelia Island Dance Festival has been guided by one simple belief: dance should be accessible to everyone. That philosophy comes to life through more than 30 workshops led by talented AIDF artists. Participants can explore a wide variety of styles, including ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, tap, musical theatre, ballroom, African dance traditions, Indian dance, country line dancing, and more.
Whether someone has years of training or is stepping into a dance class for the first time, the workshops offer a welcoming way to move, learn, and connect. Beyond learning new steps, the workshops offer something equally valuable: connection. Participants of different ages and backgrounds share the studio, encouraging one another while discovering that dance is as much about expression and community as it is technique. For many festival guests, a workshop becomes the highlight of the weekend – a chance to interact with professional artists, ask questions, and experience the discipline, creativity, and joys that come with a career in dance.
The festival’s commitment extends beyond the stage through educational outreach, scholarships, artist residencies, and community partnerships that bring the joy of dance to thousands of children and adults throughout the year. Thanks to the generous support of the Theodore & Pauline Cohen Charitable Trust, all workshops are offered free of charge, ensuring that everyone in the community has access to meaningful dance experiences.
DANCING IN THE PARK EXPANDS
AIDF’s beloved free community celebration returns bigger than ever with “Dancing in the Park” on Saturday, September 12, at Central Park in Fernandina Beach. Created for children, families, and community members of all ages, the event transforms the park into an interactive celebration where everyone is invited to not just watch but to participate!
“Our goal is to present an event where every child and every family can experience the joy of movement,” says Susie. “Whether someone has danced for years or has never taken a dance class, Dancing in the Park is an invitation to explore, create, laugh, and connect with our community.”
This year’s event introduces the Dance Passport Adventure, an engaging experience where children explore dance traditions from around the world while collecting passport stamps along the way. Families may enjoy interactive workshops, live performances, creative activities, wellness experiences, community vendors, and food trucks.
“Participants can travel through dance styles and cultures with activities ranging from Broadway-inspired movement and rhythm exploration to dance through the decades, storytelling, and social media-inspired dances,” notes Susie.
A FESTIVAL PREVIEW AT STORY & SONG CENTER FOR ARTS & CULTURE
As the festival enters another season, its impact reaches far beyond four days of performances. It continues to inspire young dancers, strengthen Amelia Island’s thriving arts community, and introduce audiences to forms of movement they may never have experienced before. Whether you are a lifelong dance enthusiast or discovering dance for the first time, AIDF offers an unforgettable weekend celebrating creativity, connection, and the universal language of movement. All are invited in September to experience it all.
And if you don’t want to wait for September, get a preview of the festival during “A Celebration of Global Dance Traditions” on Saturday, August 8, from 5:00–6:30 p.m. at Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture. This lively evening features high-energy performances by festival artists and special guests, offering a glimpse of the diversity, creativity, and artistry that make the September festival a must-see celebration of dance. For tickets and more information, visit storyandsongarts.org.
This year’s Festival is more than a showcase of exceptional talent. It is a celebration of what happens when artists come together, collaborate, and invite audiences to join along. For tickets, schedules, workshop registration, and more information, visit ameliaislanddancefestival.org.