In Memoriam – Irma Ziegler

The International Dance Organization (IDO) mourns the passing of Irma Ziegler, one of the true pioneers of the international dance competition community, whose vision, leadership and lifelong dedication helped shape the world of competitive dance for generations.

As the founder of Headliners Dance Championships, Irma created far more than a dance competition. She built one of North America's most respected educational dance organizations, inspiring thousands of dancers, teachers and studios through her unwavering commitment to excellence, opportunity and artistic growth. Her work elevated competitive dance and opened doors for countless young performers to pursue their dreams.

Irma believed that dance had the power to unite people beyond borders. Through Headliners, she helped strengthen the relationship between the American dance community and the International Dance Organization, encouraging dancers to embrace international competition and friendship. For many years, Headliners proudly served as the qualification event for American dancers competing at the IDO World Championships, creating opportunities for generations of athletes to represent the United States on the world stage. Her dedication played an important role in connecting American dance excellence with the global dance family.

Her contribution to the IDO extended far beyond the judging panel. For more than two decades, Irma became one of the key figures connecting the American and international dance communities. As IDO Adjudicator, Supervisor and Chairperson, she brought exceptional professionalism, integrity and compassion to World and Continental Championships around the globe, earning the admiration and respect of colleagues, organizers and dancers alike.

Her influence also helped shape the evolution of the IDO itself. Reflecting on more than twenty years of collaboration, Michael Wendt, IDO Honorary Lifetime President and longtime organizer of the IDO World Show Dance and World Tap Dance Championships in Riesa, Germany, recalled that he had learned so much from Irma and Headliners in making the championships increasingly professional and successful. He expressed his profound gratitude, saying that the IDO owes Irma Ziegler a huge "Thank You" for everything she gave to dance—a sentiment shared today by the entire International Dance Organization.

In recognition of her extraordinary commitment, the International Dance Organization proudly presented Irma with the IDO Lifetime Award for Tremendous Contribution to the Development and Promotion of IDO—one of the organization's highest distinctions, honoring individuals whose lifelong work has left a lasting impact on the worldwide dance community.

Beyond her remarkable achievements, Irma will always be remembered for the person she was. She possessed extraordinary kindness, unwavering loyalty, remarkable generosity and the rare ability to make everyone feel welcome. Her warmth created lifelong friendships across continents, and her encouragement inspired countless people both inside and outside the dance world.

As Robert Planutis so beautifully expressed, "The dance world has lost one of its finest ambassadors." Her vision, generosity and dedication helped shape Headliners, the United States Dance Sport & Cheer Federation, and the International Dance Organization, while her friendship enriched the lives of so many around the world.

On behalf of the IDO Presidium, our member federations and the entire worldwide dance family, we extend our deepest condolences to her husband Murray, her daughter Shari Tomasiello, her family, friends and the entire Headliners Dance Championships family.

As Michael Wendt wrote in his farewell, "We will not forget her. She has given so much to dance." Those simple yet powerful words perfectly capture the feelings of the International Dance Organization today.

Irma's legacy will continue to live on in every dancer she inspired, every official she mentored, every championship she helped build and every friendship she created throughout the international dance community.

A Message from the President

"Today, we have lost not only one of dance's greatest ambassadors, but also a dear member of our family. Irma devoted her life to creating opportunities for dancers, building friendships across continents and reminding us that dance is, above all, about people.

Those of us who had the privilege of working alongside her will remember her smile, her warmth, her wisdom and her unwavering commitment to excellence. Her contributions to the IDO cannot be measured only by the championships she supported or the generations of dancers she inspired, but by the values she lived every single day—kindness, integrity, respect and friendship.

On behalf of the International Dance Organization, I thank Irma for a lifetime of dedication. Her legacy will continue to guide us, and her memory will forever be a part of the IDO family.

May she rest in peace."

Prof. Dr. Velibor Srdić
President
International Dance Organization (IDO)

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