We all have a mentor we look back on fondly, who helped frame our world for the better. A support in good times and bad. The teacher in the darkened wings as you first stepped onto the bare stage. The director who remained when the judges chose another. The one who earned the right to correct and encourage you and whom you carry in your heart throughout life.
In 2007, Performing Arts Educators established the Del Kieffner Award, to honor Del Kieffner, a devoted music teacher who stands as a representative of the multitudes and generations of performing arts teachers who each in his or her own way have selflessly taught and nurtured succeeding generations of young student performers. His outstanding commitment and contributions in the Orlando, Florida community were endless. You will be missed!
This award of national recognition is given out annually to an instrumental, choral, or dance director who went above and beyond in their mentoring of young students in the performing arts.
Del Kieffner Award Recipients
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The 18th Annual Del Kieffner Award Recipient, Ms. Rebecca Darling, Studio D
Rebecca toured the world with Pilobolus Dance Theater, performing and collaborating on groundbreaking works. But it’s her dedication to mentoring young dancers that truly sets her apart. In 2004, Rebecca founded Studio D and later D-Tour Dance Company, where she has directed 18 original productions, always inspiring the next generation. As a guest teacher at institutions like New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute and Wesleyan University, and through her global masterclasses, Rebecca has touched the lives of countless dancers and choreographers. Her dedication to teaching modern dance, choreography, and improvisation has empowered countless dancers to develop not only their technical skills but their own artistic voices. Her work in the community reflects the spirit of Del Kieffner, whose legacy this award honors. Like Del, Rebecca has devoted herself to shaping young artists, empowering them not just in dance but in life. Rebecca, your impact is immeasurable, and we are so proud to present you with this well-deserved recognition. The 17th Annual Del Kieffner Award Recipient, Ms. Nancy Green, The Dance Emporium
Nancy is a teacher known on the national stage, the founder and owner for over 25 years of the Dance Emporium in Middletown, New York, a single, homeschooling mom of 4 and a cancer survivor. Nancy’s passion for supporting young students in their pursuit of the performing arts shines through in their dedication to her as a director and in all the ways she has created wonderful opportunities for her students to grow including performing throughout the US and across the world from Italy to Greece, on the prestigious stages of Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and iconic stages such as Disneyworld and even on the high seas! Nancy quietly lives her role in life. She says, “I’m proud to continue to mentor young people in not only dance genres but in life skills. It is my intention to help others see that nothing is impossible.” Nothing could better represent the values of the Del Keifner award. |
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The 16th Annual Del Kieffner Award Recipient, The Smith Family, Philanthropic Supporters of the Mansfield University Music Department
The Smith family has long been associated with the vocal program at Mansfield, beginning in 1957 when Olynda Chaffee Smith received her music education degree. Over the years, Howard and Olynda Smith have supported the program with their time and gifts. They saw this as an essential way to strengthen their community. It is with this in mind that the Smith family continues to support the vocal program in honor of the important work that our parents started. The Smith family has touched countless Mansfield students through several decades of loyalty and support to Music at Mansfield. Howard and Olynda participated in six European tours with the Concert Choir traveling to 10 different countries from 1996-2011. They were present when Mansfield earned Gold at the World Choir Games in Graz, Austria. The Smith family has sponsored countless scholarships for voice majors and provided funding for choral travel. Mansfield Choral Director Dr. Peggy Dettwiler shared, “Mansfield’s esteemed choral program wouldn’t be where it is today without the Smith family and their generosity. |
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The 15th Annual Del Kieffner Award Recipient, Dr. Peggy Dettwiler DMA, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Mansfield University
As a recipient of the Del Kieffner Award, Dr. Dettwiler joins a select ensemble of people who have positively shaped and influenced the lives of the students they’ve taught. Dr. Dettwiler conducts the Concert Choir, Festival Chorus, and Chamber Singers, and teaches choral conducting and methods at Mansfield University, Mansfield, Pennsylvania. She holds the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. In 2010, Dr. Dettwiler received the Elaine Brown Award for Choral Excellence from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, and she placed second in 2011 and 2013 for the American Prize for Choral Conductors at the College/University level. In 2016, she served on the jury for the World Choir Games in Sochi, Russia. Most recently, she prepared 80 singers from Mansfield University to sing the choruses for Carnegie Hall’s Gala Benefit Celebration of Bernstein’s Candide, garnering a mention in the New York Times newspaper. Dr. Dettwiler is currently President of the Eastern Division of the American Choral Directors Association. |
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The 14th Annual Del Kieffner Award Recipient, Ms. Tiffany Jefferson, Montage Theatre of Dance
Tiffany Jefferson is the director of the Hinds Community College Dance program in Raymond, Mississippi. Mrs. Jefferson is the 2020 Del Kieffner, Carnegie Hall director of the year, the 2020 City with Soul honoree, the 2013 Humanities Teacher of Year Recipient, and the Hinds Community College 2018 Hind’s Hero and Life Star Award Recipient. Mrs. Jefferson is the artistic director and founder of Montage Theatre of Dance. She is one of the lead instructors of Dance Works Studio in Clinton, MS. Tiffany Jefferson is a Ph.D. at Jackson State University. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Dance Education from Wichita State University and received her undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University where she was the 1996 Miss Black Oklahoma and an All-American collegiate cheerleader. She has also studied with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Broadway Dance Center, International Ballet Competition, Monsters of Hip Hop, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, TAP into the Network, American Collegiate Dance Festival Association, and many other governing bodies. |
PREVIOUS DEL KIEFFNER AWARD RECIPIENTS
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2019 13th Annual Award - Esther P. Owens, M.S., Mahogany Dancers, Hinds Community College
2018 12th Annual Award - Fontaine Dollas Dubus, Joppa Dance Company 2017 11th Annual Award - Kathy Costa, DanceWorks Dance Studio 2016 10th Annual Award - Kathie Kececi, In Motion Dance Studio 2015 9th Annual Award - Ronda Barber, Step By Step Dance Company 2014 8th Annual Award - Renee Sussman, St. John the Baptist Dance Company 2013 7th Annual Award - Matt Straub, Producer, Performing Arts Educators 2012 6th Annual Award - Linda Rees, Dance Magic Performing Arts Center 2011 5th Annual Award - Doreen Cran, A Dance Class 2010 4th Annual Award - Lynnell Ediger-Kirdzala, American Youth Harp Ensemble 2009 3rd Annual Award - Teresa Andris, Bowman Studios 2008 2nd Annual Award - Bridget Archer, Bridget Archer Dancers 2007 1st Annual Award - Stan Brown, The Pepper Steppers |