Jazz Dance Committee Holds Annual Online Meeting and Confirms Key Directions for 2026

The International Dance Organization (IDO) Jazz Dance Committee held its annual meeting on 30 January 2026, conducted online via Zoom, bringing together 38 delegates and guests from 24 countries.

The meeting was chaired by Breanna Willis, IDO Jazz Dance Committee Chairperson, with representatives from the Jazz Committee, Dancers Commission, Performing Arts Department, Presidium, and other IDO dance disciplines in attendance.

Review of 2025 Championships

In her Chairperson’s report, Breanna Willis reflected on a strong competitive year for Jazz Dance within IDO.
The IDO European Jazz Championships 2025 in Poland welcomed 1,434 dancers from 14 countries, while the IDO World Jazz Championships 2025 in Belgium gathered 1,195 dancers from 26 countries. Both events were highlighted for their high artistic level and strong international participation.
During the World Championships in Belgium, a dedicated Jazz Forum was also held, fostering open discussion and exchange among Jazz professionals.

Confirmed Jazz Championships for 2026

The committee officially confirmed the major Jazz Dance events for 2026:

• IDO European Jazz Championships: 21–29 September 2026, Skopje

• IDO World Jazz Championships: 26–29 November 2026, Podčetrtek

Member Proposals and Decisions

Several proposals were presented and thoroughly discussed:

• Revised performance time limits for Jazz (proposal from Sweden) were extensively debated from artistic, organizational, and dancer perspectives. After discussion, the proposal was tabled.

• Splitting the Children age category (proposal from Poland) was discussed and subsequently defeated.

• A proposal to introduce Small Formations (8–15 dancers) in Performing Arts disciplines was discussed but not supported by the delegates.

Dance Floor Safety Proposal

A significant proposal from the Dancers Commission, presented by Mika Einmal (Germany), addressed minimum subfloor requirements beneath Marley dance floors to reduce injury risk.
The proposal emphasized dancer health and safety and received strong support in principle. The Show Dance Committee recommended further development of the proposal, linking improved flooring standards with adjusted start fees to support organizers in implementation. The matter will be forwarded to the IDO Presidium for further consideration.

Artistic Freedom in Jazz Performances

Under “Any Other Business,” delegates discussed the use of titles in Jazz performances. The majority opinion supported artistic freedom, allowing choreographers to decide whether to use a title or not.

Looking Ahead

The meeting concluded with updates on the upcoming IDO Gala Final, IDO Awards, and the 45th Anniversary celebrations, including the Hall of Fame nomination process.
The next Jazz Dance Committee meeting will be announced in due course.

The IDO Jazz Dance Committee reaffirmed its commitment to artistic quality, dancer welfare, and open dialogue, ensuring continued development of Jazz Dance within the IDO structure.

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