History of VRDC

Founded in 1980, the inspiring and growing Vineland Regional Dance Company (VRDC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) New Jersey Corporation, run by a Board of Directors and is an “HONOR” Company of Regional Dance America Northeast (RDA/NE). The VRDC provides professional training to young people interested in dance and offers dance culture to the South Jersey area. In 1992, the VRDC received the “Pride in Vineland Award” from the Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce “in recognition for the contributions and notoriety of NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL magnitude achieved individually and for the community of Vineland.” Each year since its inception, the company has received a grant from the new Jersey State Council on the Arts, made available by the Cumberland County Cultural and Heritage Commission.

Performing “The Nutcracker Ballet” since 1978, the VRDC can boast being the only company in New jersey to have performed this ballet with a full symphony orchestra in 1988 and 1989 and it is the longest running Nutcracker in South Jersey. In 2004, the VRDC was featured in a new book entitled, “The Nutcracker Backstage: The Story and the Magic” authored by Angela Whitehill and William Noble. Over ten photographs by photographer Chris Kane share the spotlight with renowned dance companies such as the new York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. This exposure has brought South Jersey to the forefront of the dance world.

The company dancers are afforded the opportunity to work with world renowned master teachers and choreographers, Their excellent technique has won them scholarships to: the Pennsylvania Ballet, Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, the Boston Conservatory, Boston Ballet, Adelphi University, Goucher College, Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, SUNY Purchase, Burklyn Ballet Theatre, The Hartt School, Cedar Lake Ballet, the Craft of Choreography, Jacob’s Pillow, and the prestigious Juilliard School. The Monticello Choreographic Award and the Princess Grace Foundation – USA Dance Scholarship have also been awarded to two VRDC dancers. Many have gone on to become professional dancers, TV producers, Broadway managers, choreographers and dance teachers. On April 25, 2006, the VRDC dancers received a Commending Resolution from the Vineland City Council and Mayor Perry Barse for their invaluable contributions to the local arts community and dance culture. They were praised as cultural ambassadors for the City of Vineland and for enhancing the quality of life through dance.

The VRDC is achieving multi-regional impact within New Jersey by performing 25-30 times a year in the South Jersey area. The VRDC also performs throughout the Northeastern United States. By presenting new works of high artistic quality and works from standard repertoire such as “The Nutcracker Ballet,” “The Sleeping Beauty,” “Les Sylphides” and “Coppelia,” the VRDC is inspiring audiences and forcing them to notice that dance can enhance the quality of life as well as stimulate economic vitality.

This past season, the VRDC traveled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to participate in the national Regional Dance America Northeast (RDA/NE) Festival. The VRDC is full of unparalleled discipline, dedication, determination and commitment, and has been justly acclaimed as one of the finest dance companies in the northeastern United States. To become a member of the company that dances with panache, write to us at VRDC, 2388 N. East Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 OR click MEMBERSHIP.