MOSCOW, ID – The University of Idaho will bring together dancers, educators, and students from across the Northwest for the ninth annual Idaho Dance Education Organization (IDEO) conference, “Creativity in Motion,” scheduled for Sept. 26–27 on the Moscow campus.

The two-day event will feature workshops, performances, and professional development opportunities for participants ages 14 and older. This year’s keynote presenter is George Staib, a nationally recognized dance educator and artistic director of the Atlanta-based company Staibdance. Staib, who has been honored by Dance Teacher Magazine as one of the country’s top educators, is also a professor of practice in dance at Emory University and a faculty member with the American Dance Festival.

Regional dance educators will lead workshops tailored for high school and college students, as well as sessions designed for professional artists and teachers. “We are excited to have dance educators from throughout Idaho, as well as Washington, Oregon and Montana, join us in Moscow to share a variety of movement experiences and special topics in this two-day, dance-packed conference,” said conference coordinator Melanie Meenan.

The conference will also feature two public evening performances at U of I’s Hartung Theater. Celebration of Dance, on Friday, Sept. 26, will showcase regional studios, companies, and artists. Echoes & Earth, on Saturday, Sept. 27, will pair Portland-based Push/Fold with U of I students in a new work by Push/Fold’s artistic director, Samuel Hobbs. Tickets are $5 for the first concert and $10–$20 for the second.

Conference registration costs $75 for one day or $85 for both days, with student discounts available. Admission includes workshops, Saturday lunch, and evening performances. More information is available at dance@uidaho.edu.