The genre-defying dancer, professor, and director of Lehman's dance program Amy Larimer has been named Innovative Dance Educator by the New York State Dance Education Association.

The award was presented at the association's annual winter conference. 

"I'm grateful to NYSDEA for creating these awards," Larimer said. "Despite the fact that teaching is at the heart of what we do in academia, there are very few opportunities to be recognized for it, especially by outside organizations.  I think these kinds of awards can help affirm the importance of teaching by giving it the same kind of weight generally reserved for scholarship."

The New York State Dance Education Association is an advocacy anbd professional development organization composed of dance educators working in venues ranging from preschool through graduate programs, as well as private studios, arts organizations, and cultural institutions. The association also serves researchers, vendors, service organizations, administrators, parents, and students.