The Global Destination for Dance

Welcome to the Bates Dance Festival.

 
 
 
 
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What a phenomenal summer at BDF. We are profoundly grateful to everyone who made our 44th season so special—our incredible students who poured their hearts into learning and growing, our faculty who shared their wisdom and love for dance, our tireless cohort of interns who supported the festival in countless ways, and our extraordinary staff who kept everything running smoothly with grace and patience. We did it.

This season brought unforgettable moments, including the world premiere of Cynthia Oliver Co. Dance Theatre’s Turn. Turning. TURNT. and an incredible festival finale with Jesse Factor’s The Marthaodyssey. The BDFéte was also a beautiful celebration of our community and the art we share.

We are already looking ahead to Season 45 with so much anticipation. Big ideas are taking shape behind the scenes, and we cannot wait to bring another unforgettable summer of dance, growth, and community to life.

We will be sharing full details, artist announcements, and program reveals very soon!

About the Festival

Training Programs

We offer programs for dancers of all ages, backgrounds, and levels. Check out the 2026 Training Programs now!

Summer Performances

Bates Dance Festival presents a full Performance Series of innovative contemporary artists each summer.

The 2027 Season will be announced in February.

Last summer was amazing!

About

Learn more about BDF and its history.

Training

BDF offers programs for all ages.

Visit

Take a virtual tour of the campus and schedule your visit.

Support

Help support BDF.

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Bates has become an ever important nexus of dance. It provides fertile ground for development and growth in the art form, and is helping to shape its future.

Steve Koester, faculty
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It is a rare occasion for young artists like ourselves to be seen, celebrated and asked to grow the way we were at BDF. We were immersed in the world of dance for three weeks in the way we all hope to be, but struggle to do, in our own communities. We left Bates with a sense of joy, creativity, clarity and community …

Lida Winfield & Ellen Smith Ahern, Emerging Artists
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BDF surpassed my expectations… incredible faculty, supportive community environment, and a rich, diverse, incredibly talented group of attendees.

BFD Sudent
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I am one of many examples of BDF’s commitment to artists from the local community and around the world over long periods of time. The festival has been a home where I can rediscover my artistry at every stage of my career.

Paul Matteson, Faculty
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My summer at BDF was the best and most successful I've ever had. The people, the dancing, the opportunities, your kindness and generosity are completely unparalleled. Not enough people understand the imperative of fostering community, which makes dance as an art form function as a significant part of society.

BDF Student
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We found Youth Arts to be a consistently wonderful program. The faculty is top notch. The focus on respectful and mature engagement with each other and with the artistic process is equally impressive. The kids are learning self-discipline and mutual respect.

Parent
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I took my son Isaiah to see Rennie Harris last summer. The performance sparked his interest in dance. When I asked how he liked the performance he said with sparkles in his eyes, I want to be a dancer."

Audience Member
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There is something deep and supremely relevant about attending, participating, performing, and/or visiting BDF that seamlessly and potently infiltrates the community i.e. dancers, dance enthusiasts, and the curious.

Kendra Portier, Emerging Choreographer/Faculty