West Chester Dance Works
Executive Update: Investment in Strategies for Our Future
West Chester Dance Works (WCDW) is on the move and preparing for a future including increased opportunities and engagements for our students, performance company members and greater community. As we continued with our “growing pains” from the merger of the Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts and West Chester Dance Works, we looked to an outside consultant for guidance. With the help of Lucress Irizzary, author and business consultant, we were able to reshape our administrative team and management structure to optimize the talents of our staff and better distribute the growing responsibilities. Our continuing transition includes expanding and applying improved
“…more dancing opportunities and people served.”
Diane Matthews Founder/Executive Director
Rachel Harris
Revisited
West Chester Dance Works is embarking on the reprise of one of our most illuminating and challenging full-length productions, Rachel Harris; One Woman Over the Line, the true story of Rachel Harris, an enslaved woman who escaped and lived free in West Chester PA, in the1830’s, only to be recaptured. This story was
bring this historical story to life. Following a four-year run of the full production in performances including in schools, colleges, and organizations beginning in 2008, we moved on to other projects and focuses. Beginning with per formances of excerpts in 2024 with plans to present the full production starting in February 2025, we are excited to bring back this dramatic story for audiences throughout the area. Dancing the Rachel Harris story helps us continue to fulfill our mission by educating, inspiring and bringing people together with this story that shows how people of varying backgrounds came together and took risks for the sake of the freedom and dignity of another.
Candace Matthews-Bass
Artistic Director
Keep Rising… Refreshing our Brand
The past two years, since the merger of the Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts and West Chester Dance Works, has been quite an undertaking. This has included staff expansion, restructuring finances, establishing new internal systems and even raising funds for capital improvements. These changes were critical to affirm and support the shift in internal operations, but a question remained: How will these decisions change WCDW’s identity to external audiences? How do these adjustments change WCDW’s impact among the community it serves? WCDW would require an outside expert in branding for this endeavor. With the assistance of pro-bono marketing consultant, Johanna Belda-Baek (Velocitas & Co), WCDW was inspired to re- envision its purpose, audience, point of view and mission. Starting with an evaluation of current activities, challenge areas and her attendance at WCDW’s 2024 Spring Concert, Johanna reminded WCDW of wh at it has practiced for years; community engagement would direct WCDW to the needed perspective. Time was put on the calendar for a diverse focus group including parents, donors, local organizational peers, foundation members and student alumni to develop what would become a brand new mission, accented with the defining principles that would now undergird WCDW’s operational plan, marketing and staffing design. From this work, WCDW adapted a new logo, core values, description and the opportunity to reintroduce itself to the world. Upon a visit to the studio, be sure to look for the newly adapted logo, colors, mission and core values in the lobby and classroom walls. WCDW looks forward to extending this refreshed identity in its forthcoming coming strategic plan, updated website and social media p resence.
Candace Matthews-Bass Artistic Director
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A Parent’s Perspective
As parents, we are constantly amazed at the increase in confidence as our children dance in front of an audience from the start of the season to the recital. This experience not only helps them gain self-esteem, but also shows other students that hard work pays off. Each dancer highlights a remarkable journey for many young dancers, filled with growth, joy, and unforgettable experiences. The last season at West Chester Dance Works offered much more than just dance lessons. It provided students with opportunities to build confidence, learn the value of teamwork, and explore different styles of dance. These experiences will shape their lives in positive ways and encourage them to continue dancing and expressing their creativity. Every human being deserves a chance to shine and grow through the joy of dance, and this studio has made that possible.
So Very Thankful
Your work continues to make a lasting and positive difference in this world of ours. You remind us there is beauty, compassion, strength, endurance, hope & loveliness... one performance/event at a time, one practice at a time, one dancer at a time... Thank you for the gift you are to all.
-WCDW Parents
Financial Perspective
It is with deep gratitude that we look back at the 2023-24 season and acknowledge the contributions of all who have supported us and made the past year possible! West Chester Dance Works, Inc., continues to be a solid cornerstone in our community. We are committed to encouraging physical, technical, and artistic growth, and promoting our mission to uplift, nurture, and transform dancers and the community!
For the year ending August 31, 2024, our community contributed, through donations and tuition, $294,953, to support our outstanding programming and outreach efforts. Our annual operating expenses of $322,525 went to programming, community outreach, scholarships, and administrative costs, of which a portion was related to contributed services. 61 cents of every dollar received was spent on programming, community outreach, and dance scholarship awards.
Although we ended the year at a slight operating loss, we believe the investment in our organization will be returned in the expansion of our service to the community in the coming seasons.
-Board Treasurer
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Revenue: $294,953
Total Expenses: $322,525
2023-2024 Donors
America Online Giving Foundation
Kimberly Beazley
Shanee Bryant
Sharayne Mark Coffin
Michelle Cope
The Daniszewski Family
Steven Datlof
Katie Dubow
Lisa Eleftherakis
Bryan Fisher
Jerry Flanagan
Tracy Flanagan
Jennifer Gentile-Guy
Clarinda Gordon
Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
Nataki Hudson
. . . . . . .. . . . . .
Stephanie Hutnick
Donna Hymes
JD2 Environmental, Inc
Rachel Kagan
Betsy Kalish
Sue Kelley
Happy Kidwell
Miriam I Lawson
Mary Lynch
Ranjani Manjunath
Diane Matthews
Kathleen McBratnie Memorial Foundation, CCCF
Katelyn McDevitt
The McGibboney Family
Ann McNally
• Signature/Training Company is a professional modern dance company offering performances, lecture demonstrations, and residencies for artistic, cultural, and educational outreach.
Persymmphonie Miller
Jonella Mongo
The Nsereko Family
Dalila Santos
Chui Kian Smidt
Mashana Smith
The Smith Family
Judith Thomas
Lavinia Toaltoan
Roann Valbrum
West Chester Dance Works Family Members
Many additional anonymous donors of time, resources & in-kind support
WCDW Programs
• D.M. Dance Machine uses an energized compilation of jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop dance to reach peer audiences.
• Junior Performers gives youth ages 9-12 an opportunity to dance in an atmosphere that develops professionalism and individual dance growth while offering performing experiences.
• Annointed Dance and Annointed Too use dance skills in Christian ministry. Songs are interpreted through dance movement and faith, and shared in community outreach.
• The Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts is the resident studio for WCDW, the educational outreach arm providing opportunities for dancers and the public to receive exposure to quality dance instruction.
• Additional programs include Relevate Youth, Artist in Residence, Black History Assemblies, and Dance Scholarships
2024-2025 WCDW Leadership
COMPANY MANAGEMENT
Founder/Executive Director
Diane Matthews
Artistic Director & DM Dance Machine Director
Candace Matthews-Bass
Junior Performers Director
Mary Lynch
Annointed Too Director
Adrianna “Nikki” Matthews
Annointed Too Co-choreographer
Kiara Bass
Instructor/Choreographer & Company Assistant
Kelly Dhamo
Performance & Booking Manager
Ashanti Meaux
Events Manager
Guillermina Rios
Operations Manager
Stacie Scheer
Financial Manager
Jennie Radford
Accountant
Scott Frankenfield
DIANE MATTHEWS
SCHOOL OF DANCE ARTS STAFF
Shareese Asparagus
Isabella Brun
Antoinette M. Coward-Gilmore
Kelly Dhamo
Audrey Hammit
Susannah Lijoi
Lauren Linder
West Chester Dance Works
315-9 Westtown Road
West Chester, PA 19382
phone: 610.692.3398
email: info@wcdw.org web: wcdw.org
Mary Lynch
Adrianna “Nikki” Matthews
Diane Matthews
Candace Matthews-Bass
Senfuab Stoney
Kacei Womack
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Donna Hymes
Vice President
Rodney Matthews
Treasurer
James D. Smith Jr.
Board Members
Steven Datlof
Diane Matthews
Faith Nsereko
L. Diane Toaltoan
2023-2024 Group Membership
SIGNATURE/TRAINING COMPANY
Isabella Brun
Amanda Krenos
Eva Krewson
Mary Lynch
Candace Matthews-Bass
Adam Nsereko
Rachael Smith
D.M. DANCE MACHINE
Samantha Brun
Isabella Brun
Arianna Eleftherakis
Macy Fisher
Cameron Fisher
Eva Krewson
Regina Lijoi
WEST CHESTER DANCE WORKS IS A NON-PROFIT 501(C)3 COMPANY, IN RESIDENCE AT THE DIANE MATTHEWS SCHOOL OF DANCE ARTS
Susannah Lijoi
Ella Lynch
Aniyah McGibboney
Adam Nsereko
Sadye Scheer
Hazel Simms
Rachael Smith
Isla Stuart
Ranay Torres
JUNIOR PERFORMERS
Haylee Benz
Leah Broussard
Jeneeta Durham
Quinn Galey
Zuri Hudson Araoluwa Osimokun
ANNOINTED DANCE
Tracy Flanagan
Donna Hymes
Karen Johnson
Sue Kelley
Esther Smidt
Roann Valbrum
Grace Zarnoch
ANNOINTED TOO
Isabella Brun
Macy Fisher
Sophie Krewson
Ella Lynch
Aniyah McGibboney
Adam Nsereko
Hazel Simms
Rachael Smith
*Photos courtesy of several generous contributors including Sandrien B Photography and WCDW staff
OUR MISSION
The mission of West Chester Dance Works (WCDW) is to uplift, nurture and transform dancers and community through an accessible, inclusive dance experience.
