REM Award Honorees (2004) — Brad Adams (Maine Dance Teachers Club)

Always striving to elevate the fine arts of dance here in Maine, Brad is a supporter of the Maine Dance Teachers Association, serving as President for several years. The group presents four seminars each year here in Waterville, bringing in teachers from all over the country to instruct our teachers and students. For the past ten years, the club has sponsored a weekend seminar in Boothbay Harbor for teachers and students alike.

Brad started his dancing career by taking classes from Mary Vanderhoff while in high school and soon becoming her assistant. He then realized that dance would be his chosen profession. He has also danced professionally as a member of the Equity Cast of Chicago at Lakewood Theater, and appeared along with a group of his talented students called The Brad Adams Ensemble. They performed extensively for the Maine Arts Commission, at several Portland New Year’s Eve Celebrations, at the Maine Arts Festivals, and at the newly renovated Merrill Auditorium dedication. Here in Waterville they were seen in many of the Touch of Country shows.

As a teacher, he is a member and serves on the Board of the Maine Dance Teachers Association, is a past member of the Dance Masters of America, the Professional Dance Teachers Association, (for which he has presented classes in Boston), and has been a featured instructor for NAADA in Connecticut.

This year he will be mark his 50th year as a teacher. At the spring recital, he will be accompanied by a select group of dancers from years past, in a routine for old times sake. Dancers will arrive from Alaska, Washington State, Michigan, New York, New Jersey and from many cities and town here in New England.

Brad is also an accomplished keyboard musician. He has played in several dance bands for lounges, clubs, and organizations for general dancing. For two summers, he was a featured organist at Lakewood Theater.

In November, Brad, along with a group of pupils and parents, will attend a clinic in New York City with the Rockettes, see the Christmas Show at Radio City, and attend one of the top studios in the city for several classes.

For more information about the Maine Dance Teachers Club, please visit its website