The influence of Jody Gottfried Arnhold (M.A. '73) on dance education at ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ and on behalf of young students everywhere cannot be overstated.

In a new , Arnhold makes the case for a sizable investment in arts education in post-pandemic New York City classrooms alongside her co-authors: jazz great Wynton Marsalis, American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer Misty Copeland and Russell Granet, Executive Director of Lincoln Center Education.

β€œHappy days will not return to New York...until we finally address the health, economic and educational inequities that the pandemic exposed,” write Arnhold and her esteemed co-authors. β€œOne proven way to promote equity and excellence in education is to give every public-school student in New York City access to high-quality instruction in dance, music, theater and the visual arts.”

Jody Arnhold

DANCE MOVES In her creative and philanthropic efforts, Jody Gottfried Arnhold (M.A. ’73) aims to help facilitate a pipeline of dance education professionals who can serve the field for the future. (Photo Credit: Deborah Feingold)

A former New York Public Schools dance teacher, Arnhold is the namesake of the College’s Arnhold Institute for Dance Education Research, Policy & Leadership β€”&²Τ²ϊ²υ±θ;made possible by a gift from Arnhold and her husband John.

The Institute is recognized internationally for advancing the ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ legacy as the creator of dance education. Arnhold and her husband also established the nation’s only doctoral dance education program, which also carries her name.

Beyond ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄, Arnhold founded the Dance Education Lab at the 92nd Street Y. The long list of her honors includes a ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ Distinguished Alumni Award.

β€” Steve Giegerich