We all have a mentor we look back on fondly, who helped frame our world for the better—a steadfast 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, whom you carry in your heart throughout life.
Honoring Del Kieffner
|
In 2007, Performing Arts Educators established the Del Kieffner Award to honor Del Kieffner, a devoted music teacher who represents generations of performing arts educators who have selflessly nurtured young student performers. His outstanding commitment and contributions in the Orlando, Florida community were endless. You will be missed!
About the AwardThis award of national recognition is presented annually to an instrumental, choral, or dance director who has gone above and beyond in mentoring young students in the performing arts. It celebrates quiet excellence, dedication, and the profound impact of educators who inspire artistic growth and resilience.
|
Del Kieffner Award Recipients
Sheela Ramanath, MFA
Kalavaridhi Center for Performing Arts
The 19th Annual Del Kieffner Award Recipient (2026) Carnegie Hall
|
Sheela Ramanath, MFA
|
Recent Recipients
Rebecca Darling Studio D The 18th Annual Del Kieffner Award Recipient (2025) Carnegie Hall RebeCCA DARLING'S BIO
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 20+ 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. |
Nancy Green The Dance Emporium The 17th Annual Del Kieffner Award Recipient (2024) Carnegie Hall Nancy GREEN's BIO
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 Kieffner award. |
The Smith Family Mansfield Music Philanthropists The 16th Annual Del Kieffner Award Recipient (2023) Carnegie Hall THE SMITH FAMILY
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." |
Dr. Peggy Dettwiler Professor, Mansfield Univ. The 15th Annual Del Kieffner Award Recipient (2022) Carnegie Hall PEGGY DETTWILER's BIO
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 a former mulit-year President of the Eastern Division of the American Choral Directors Association. |
Dr. Tiffany Jefferson Montage Theatre of Dance The 14th Annual Del Kieffner Award Recipient (2021) Carnegie Hall TIFFANY Jefferson's Bio
Dr. Tiffany Jefferson is a nationally acclaimed choreographer, educator, and cultural storyteller who harnesses dance to teach, preserve, and elevate Black excellence. A native of Oklahoma City, she serves as Director of Dance at Hinds Community College, where she founded the institution’s first dance program and has established it as a model for Mississippi and the region. As founder and Artistic Director of Montage Theatre of Dance, she has led the company to perform at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and during the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. Her work has taken dancers to international stages across the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, and Jamaica, expanding the reach of Southern artistry worldwide. A proud Jackson State University graduate, Jefferson earned her Ph.D. in educational leadership, a master’s in dance education from Wichita State University, and a bachelor’s in business marketing from Oklahoma State University (where she was crowned Miss Black Oklahoma in 1996 and named an All-American collegiate cheerleader). She has studied with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Broadway Dance Center, and other leading institutions. Her mentorship has produced dancers who have performed with Alvin Ailey, Cirque du Soleil, and on stages like the Super Bowl halftime show and the Grammys. Jefferson’s excellence has been honored as Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year, JSU Artist Prowess Recipient, Del Kieffner Carnegie Hall Director of the Year, Hinds Hero, and Life Star Award recipient at Hinds Community College. She remains deeply connected to Jackson State, where she has choreographed major productions including The Wiz and The Color Purple. Beyond the stage, she serves as dance ministry director at New Jerusalem Church and instructor at Dance Works Studio in Clinton. Further, as reigning Mrs. Mississippi American 2024, she uses her platform to uplift stories of purpose and perseverance. A proud wife and mother, Jefferson continues to shape the cultural landscape of Mississippi and beyond, embodying strength, creativity, and vision. |
PREVIOUS DEL KIEFFNER AWARD RECIPIENTS
- 2019 (13th Annual Award): Esther P. Owens, M.S., Mahogany Dancers, Hinds Community College – Carnegie Hall
- 2018 (12th Annual Award): Fontaine Dollas Dubus, Joppa Dance Company – Carnegie Hall
- 2017 (11th Annual Award): Kathy Costa, DanceWorks Dance Studio – Carnegie Hall
- 2016 (10th Annual Award): Kathie Kececi, In Motion Dance Studio – Carnegie Hall
- 2015 (9th Annual Award): Ronda Barber, Step By Step Dance Company – Carnegie Hall
- 2014 (8th Annual Award): Renee Sussman, St. John the Baptist Dance Company – Carnegie Hall
- 2013 (7th Annual Award): Matt Straub, Producer, Performing Arts Educators – Carnegie Hall
- 2012 (6th Annual Award): Linda Rees, Dance Magic Performing Arts Center – London 2012 Olympics
- 2011 (5th Annual Award): Doreen Cran, A Dance Class – Lincoln Center
- 2010 (4th Annual Award): Lynnell Ediger-Kirdzala, American Youth Harp Ensemble – Kennedy Center
- 2009 (3rd Annual Award): Teresa Andris, Bowman Studios – Lincoln Center
- 2008 (2nd Annual Award): Bridget Archer, Bridget Archer Dancers – Lincoln Center
- 2007 (1st Annual Award): Stan Brown, The Pepper Steppers – Lincoln Center
Nominate an Outstanding Mentor
The Del Kieffner Award celebrates directors who inspire and nurture the next generation of performing artists through exceptional mentorship.We invite nominations from peers, students, colleagues, and community members who wish to recognize a deserving instrumental, choral, or dance educator.To submit a nomination for the next annual award, please complete the form below. Selected nominees will be reviewed by the PAE team, with the recipient honored during our invitational events.
