ABOUT | Illinois High School Dance Festival

The IHSDF Board of Directors are ecstatic to announce our new initiative for the 2026-2027 school year: IHSDF Student Ambassadors!

The IHSDF Student Ambassador Program brings together passionate, high-school dance leaders to serve as representatives, peer guides, and event support for the annual Illinois High School Dance Festival. Ambassadors build leadership and communication skills while promoting unity, inclusion, and poise across the state’s dance community.

Key Roles & Responsibilities:

Ambassadors serve as the face of student leadership before, during, and after the Festival (Saturday, October 10) and Student Choreography State Showcase (Spring).

Example of responsibilities:

1. Festival Day Support

Check-In & Hospitality: Greet visiting high schools, distribute registration packets.
Master Class &: Assist guest artists and college faculty in class setups, help form across the floor lines, and model appropriate behaviors. Student ambassadors will be able to take classes, participate in college auditions (if desired), view professional company performances, etc.
Wayfinding & Navigation: Help peers navigate class transitions, lunch areas, and performance spaces.

2. Community & Peer Engagement

Cross-School Connection: Facilitate icebreakers and community-building during general sessions, lunch, and the college fair.
Culture Champions: Model respect, positivity, and support for all dancers regardless of school, style, or background.

3. Media & Outreach

Social Media Takeovers: Capture behind-the-scenes content to be featured on official IHSDF social media. Film or create dance trends for IHSDF to use. Content must be approved by IHSDF BOD. Student ambassadors will not have access to IHSDF social media log-in.
Social Media Sharing: Share IHSDF posts on personal social media accounts and engage with IHSDF social media posts. For example, share IHSDF to your Instagram story, comment on IHSDF posts, etc.
School Promotion: Serve as the primary liaison at their home school to encourage early registration and event enthusiasm.

4. Student Choreography State Showcase Specific

Help usher and pass out programs
Serve as backstage runners
Other responsibilities as specified

Eligibility & Expectations:

To apply for the Ambassador position, students must meet the following criteria:

Grade Level: Current Juniors, or Seniors enrolled in an Illinois high school dance program, Orchesis club, or dance team for the 2026-2027 school year.
Festival Attendance: Must have attended at least one previous IHSDF fall festival.
Leadership Traits: Demonstrates strong reliability, communication skills, teamwork, respect for peers/faculty, and a positive attitude. Professionalism in body language, tone of voice, word choice, etc.
Commitment:
- Timely communication via email and BAND App.
  - Attend two virtual orientation meetings prior to the festival.
  - Check in with assigned IHSDF Board of Director member morning of Festival
  - Fulfill assigned shift duties (duties are scheduled so ambassadors still participate in master classes/auditions and view performances, arrive and depart with their own school).

Selection & Application Process:

Online Application- Click here to complete application. Due no later than Friday, September 4th.
1. Students complete an application form outlining their leadership experience, why they want to represent IHSDF.
Teacher/Director Recommendation-Submitted by Dance Educator. Due no later than Friday, September 11th.
1. A short recommendation from the student's high school dance director, coach, or PE/Fine Arts faculty member confirming reliability and eligibility. This will be sent to the teacher once the student has completed their application.
Committee Review
1. The IHSDF Student Ambassador Board of Directors reviews submissions and selects representatives ensuring balanced regional and school representation across Illinois.
Selection announcement
1. All dancers who apply for the IHSDF Student ambassador program will receive an individualized email acknowledging if they have been selected to be a IHSDF Student Ambassador for the 2026-2027 school year on Sunday, September 13, 2026. Once ambassadors have accepted their role an announcement will be made on social media.
2 Virtual Orientation
1. Held prior to festival and week of festival (Wednesday September 23, 7pm) (Wednesday October 7 at 7pm)
2. During the virtual prep session selected student ambassadors will get to know each other, receive duty assignments, festival schedules, and leadership guidelines, etc.

Student Ambassador Program Benefits:

Leadership Experience: Gain practical experience in arts administration, event management, and team leadership.
Networking: Build direct connections with college recruiters, guest choreographers, and student leaders statewide.
Service Hours: Receive verified community service hours for all orientation and festival volunteer time.
Recognition: Special Ambassador t-shirt/tank, recognition during the opening/closing ceremonies, and a Certificate of Leadership. Recognition on IHSDF social media and website.

Other Information:

Depending on our final applicant numbers and event needs, we may reopen Student Ambassador applications in the spring for the Student Choreography State Showcase. If Student Ambassador applications are reopened in the Spring this would be open to students who applied in that fall that were not selected and students that have not previously applied.

If you have any questions regarding the IHSDF Student Ambassador Program please email marketing@ihsdancefestival.com

Important Dates:

Friday September 4, 2026: Student Ambassadors Applications Due

Friday September 11, 2026: Teacher/Coach Recommendation Forms Due

Sunday September 13: Student Ambassadors Selection Emails Sent

Wednesday September 23, 7pm: Student Ambassadors Virtual Meeting 1

Wednesday October 7 at 7pm: Student Ambassadors Virtual Meeting 2

Saturday October 10, 2026: Festival 2026 Hosted at Lyons Township High School

Spring: Student Choreography State Showcase Performance

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