TESTIMONIALS
For the second consecutive year at the WDM International Dance Festival, I’ve had the privilege of learning from amazing teachers, coaches, choreographers, and internationally renowned artists. I’ve explored diverse dance styles alongside talented dancers from around the globe. Beyond the hours of intense training, the atmosphere, the friends I’ve made, and the supportive community have made me feel like part of a dance family. The scholarship opportunities offered at the end of the event provide invaluable support to aspiring young dancers. I’m truly grateful for my experience at WDM and look forward to next year!
- Rebeca Maria Zamfir
WDM Virtual Competition - 1st place winner - Romania
When I came to the workshop on the first day, I felt afraid. I was in another country, with new people. I thought I wouldn’t find myself. And yet it was the opposite. From the first glance at all the people, I felt a friendly atmosphere. I remember how the girls came up to me right away and asked if I needed help and if I didn’t understand something. WDM is not only a Festival and workshops, it is a place where you will make new friends. A place you never want to leave. I’ve learned a lot in two hard weeks, but I want to go back there again and learn even more and more. Thank you, WDM!
- Julia Brudz
WDM Aerial Dancer - Poland
 Participating in the World Dancer of the Year competition as part of the World Dance Movement workshops in Castellana Grotte, Italy, was truly life-changing. Winning an incredible number of amazing scholarships feels surreal, and I am beyond grateful for the opportunities. The workshops were inspiring, especially the one with Shannon Atkins, and dancing on the beautiful outdoor stage in the town square was a dream. Meeting talented dancers from all over the world made the experience even more unforgettable. A special thank you to Michele Assaf and Peter Oxford for making this incredible journey possible!
- Sienna Denby
WDM Senior World Dancer of the Year 2024 - Australia
I had an amazing experience competing at World Dance Movement with many talented dancers who are very passionate about dance. I love the festival atmosphere where we get to learn different styles and expressions of dance. The experience has widen my understanding of dance and has helped me to be a better dancer.
- Izac Tan
WDM Dancer - Singapore
Hello! Now that things are starting to settle down, I just wanted to express my gratitude towards you. WDM was one of the best weeks of my life and I give full credit to you. Thank you for creating such a positive learning environment with teachers and mentors that are devoted and true experts in their fields. Although I was only there for a week, WDM has changed my perspective on European dance and lifestyle. Europe has always been a dream of mine but it wasn’t until WDM that I realized that this was the place for me. There aren’t enough words in the dictionary to describe how important and transcending my experience at WDM was. Forever grateful for you. Thank you so very much.
- Grady Callahan
WDM Dancer - USA
The World dancer of the Year experience was everything and more! The most incredible memories made doing what I love. Dancing on the WDM stage with dancers from all over was the most amazing feeling! Learning from choreographers from all over the world is an experience I will cherish for life! Winning the title of World Dancer of the Year was a shock, honour and bonus achievement to the most fulfilling week of dance, culture and growth!
- Charli Wellington
WDM Student & World Dancer of the Year 2024 - Australia
I had a fantastic time at the World Dance Movement festival in Italy. The experience of learning and dancing with other dancers from around the world is something that I will treasure forever. Everyone was so friendly and accommodating that it didn’t feel like we were competing.Â
- Ashleigh Tan
WDM Dancer - Singapore
The World Dancer of the Year experience was amazing, and I loved getting to watch & experience talent from all over the world! It was great to be exposed to an international panel, performing in a unique location with a supportive environment!
- Chelsea Henderson
WDM Dancer - Australia
I was at WDM for 2 weeks. I thought that the participants would be constantly competing with each other, but I saw very friendly and open-minded people. I want to thank you for every lesson, which I consider very valuable and cool. I felt great, everyone was like one family. They helped each other when things didn’t work out. There was always someone nearby. Thank you again for being there and I hope we will meet again. Thank you, WDM Family.
- Zuzana Brudz
WDM Aerial Dancer - Poland
The World Dancer of the Year experience was amazing, and I loved getting to watch & experience talent from all over the world! It was great to be exposed to an international panel, performing in a unique location with a supportive environment!
- Yayoi Murakami
WDM Dancer - Japan
WDM, un emozione unica ogni anno, una grande famiglia che accoglie tutti a braccia aperte e ti fa sentire parte di un mondo , dove cresci artisticamente e umanamente!!
- Antonio Dellarosa
WDM Dancer & Entertainment - Italy
Ahà van una lÃneas sobre mi experiencia en WDM: “Desde todos los puntos de vista, vivir el WDM le recuerda al bailarÃn el por qué, le explica el cómo, le sorprende con el quién. Ya sabes dónde y cuando. ¿Qué más quieres?
- Enrique Solla Charro
WDM Dancer - Spain
Il WDM è un’esperienza unica, E’ l’unico posto dove si possono incontrare diversi ballerini di tutto il mondo e studiare con i più grandi coreografi ed insegnanti!Â
- Valentina Verderame
WDM Dancer & Assistant - Italy
WDM is gewoon supper je leert er zoveel bij en maakt er veel nieuwe vrienden. Iedereen is er zo vriendelijk. Ik ben al 2x geweest en ik ga nu voor de derde keer. Elke leeraar is uniek. Its fun 🙂Â
- Kelly DE Zwaef
WDM Dancer - Belgium
Vivir WDM es experimentar, compartir y nutrir tu pasión, es crecer como amante de la danza, aprendiendo, abriendo fronteras. Absolutamente y sin lugar a dudas, una experiencia única y formidable.Â
- Eva Sánchez
WDM Faculty - Spain
Un incontro di sguardi, di corpi, di energie, di culture, di passioni, di movimenti, di caratteri, di stili che mi aiutano a crescere emotivamente, artisticamente e professionalmente!!!!Â
- Palmiriana Sibilia
WDM Dancer – Italy
Forget the super-crowded hotel-based conventions and come to WDM in Italy! Super fabulous dancing, fun socializing with dancers and choreographers from all over the world, scenic towns and beaches, and of course… gelati and other delicious delicacies!Â
- Belinda Wagner
WDM Parent - USA
I have never been to nor can think of any convention where Desmond Richardson knows your name and gives you amazing corrections on a daily basis. The fact that you’re in a beautiful town in Italy with some of the most amazing people is merely just a bonus.Â
- Ian Sherman
WDM Dancer - USA
World Dance Movement was a great experience for both myself and the students. It’s a great way to have fun in the sun and be taught by great teachers!! The teachers bring along an energy that encourages you to push yourself as a dancer and bring out the best in you.Â
- Sue Vassallo
WDM Teacher Attendee – Malta
 Il WDM è un evento che ti cambia la vita, ti fa vivere emozioni meravigliose con insegnanti di altissimo livello e bravissimi ballerini. E’ un incontro di culture accomunate da un unica passione: l’amore per la danza. Un insieme di energia e talento. Esperienze come questa fanno crescere, non solo artisticamente, ma soprattutto umanamente.  Il WDM è la mia grande famiglia, non potrei più farne a meno.Â
- Cristina Santangelo
WDM Dancer – Italy
Na World Dance Movement bardzo dużo siÄ™ nauczyÅ‚am, w bardzo przyjemniej atmosferze. Jest superÂ
(In English) In World Dance Movement I learned a lot! it was great fun and I will totally come next year!Â
- Natalie Dercz
WDM Dancer, 13 yrs old – Poland
WDM is amazing – it’s an intimate experience like no other. You get to learn from some of the greatest dance teachers in the world in a beautiful Italian setting. But even more – you get to know these teachers, hear their stories and get inspired by their passion. It is like no other opportunity available.Â
- Laura DiFilippo
WDM Parent – USA
WDM is the perfect place to challenge yourself as a dancer, make great friends from all over the world in an intimate environment, and experience Italy at its best! You will leave not only a better dancer but a better person. WDM is not just another dance convention but a cultural experience that combines all elements of dance with a fun and friendly family atmosphere. I will see you there!Â
- Jenna Branner
WDM Dancer - USA
World Dance Movement” is just that, master teachers and dancers from all over the world, uniting through dance and collectively learning from one another. It is an experience not to be missed, an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and learn about different cultures and investing oneself for ultimate growth.
- Desmond Richardson
Co-Founder/Artistic Director of Complexions Ballet & WDM faculty member - USA
Carissimo WDM (Michèle Assaf e tutta la bellissima famiglia di insegnanti)..l’esperienza vissuta quest’estate è INDIMENTICABILE, bellissime lezioni, rapporto tra insegnanti,ballerini e famigliari è stato unico …bellissimi gli spettacoli svoltisi ad ogni fine settimana…e personalmente ringrazio per le borse di studio per N.Y. date a mio figlio Giovanni La Rocca, che lo aiuteranno a crescere confrontandosi con altri insegnanti di alta qualità …Â
- Cristina Balagi e Roberto La Rocca
WDM Genitori - Italia
WDM was the first summer program I’ve ever been too, and I can honestly say I don’t want to go anywhere else. The training I received at WDM was personalized even with 30 other dancers in the room. Everyone got attention. My most valuable experience from WDM was taking class with dancers that spoke other languages and teachers too! Having different languages in the room made me very aware as a dancer and gave me a deeper understanding of what kind of dancer I am. Where else can you get that?! I can’t wait to return!Â
- JaLeesa Diggs
WDM Dancer - USA
WDM is the most amazing experience that I’ve never done in my life. You have the chance to study with the most important dancers in this world (AMAZING TEACHERS) and I think is really good also for your future, show to them what you can do and maybe they can see in you something!!! By the way for all year I just wait the summer for WDM, and I cant wait anymore already for this summe! Thankyou WDM DANCE! GianniÂ
- Gianni Goffredo
WDM Dancer - Germany
WDM is an amazing adventure for those who love to dance. It’s a wonderful experience where international faculty expose students from around the world to instruction that they would otherwise not have access to. These are intense weeks of technique and choreography in the most supportive enviornment my daughter has experience. The relationships built between students, teachers and parents are invaluable and lifelong.
- Leslie Scragg
Parent of Dancer
WDM is unlike any other summer dance program I have ever been apart of. On top of being in one of the most beautiful places in the world, being surrounded by amazing people from all different countries, you are taking classes from a diversity of the most talented, giving teachers. I made so many close new friends who now seem like family. I can not explain how much I gained at WDM, come out and see for yourself.Â
- Kelci Tookey
WDM Dancer – Canada
WDM is one of the most culturally rich and self-satisfying dance experiences I’ve ever been a part of. Working with inspiring choreographers and wonderful dancers from all over the world in a beautiful, authentic Italian setting has shown me the true beauty of dance. I made lasting friendships and new relationships with beautiful people who all gather together with a strong passion toward dance–you can’t get that experience anywhere else!Â
- Kelsey Orem
WDM Dancer – USA
 Re: YOU ARE THE WDM FACEBOOK CONTEST WINNER! Happy New Year to you and the rest of the WDM Staff as well!! I did get the classes and I absolutely loved them! It was definitely different to take class looking at a screen, but they were all packed with great information and you could feel the motivation pouring out from the screen! Your entire staff is so inspirational. I wanted to make it a goal to come to Italy this summer to experience your workshop first hand, but if it doesn’t work out… I will definitely be buying some classes! Thank you again!!Â
- Jordon McIntosh
WDM Online Dancer
WDM is a convention that will change your life. There is no other place where you can meet so many different and amazing dancers from all over the world, who are reaching and striving for the same goals you are. Also having teachers, full of wisdom, who are willing to give their all to help us reach all our goals and more is one of the many great things about going to WDM. Just being in the atmosphere of the Italian culture is so fulfilling, but the best part is you leave with life long experiences, friends, and memories. WDM is the BEST!!!!!Â
- Terrance Martin
WDM Dancer – USA
I can honestly say that some of my best memories are from the WDM experience. This convention is full of amazing choreographers and dancers that want nothing more than to meet new people and learn new styles of dance. It is obvious that everyone who attends WDM does so because they are truly passionate about the art of dance and are looking for self-improvement, not just as a dancer but also as a person. I came out of this convention with a renewed love for dance…which is why I went back the very next year to take more classes in Castellanaa Grotte! I would highly recommend WDM!Â
- Elise Pacicco
WDM Dancer – USA
 E’ stato un piacere partecipare al WDM… Il prestigio e la professionalità degli insegnanti, con cui ho avuto l’onore di studiare le 3 settimane, mi hanno fatto crescere sia fisicamente che mentalmente! L’ambiente e la familiarità che mi hanno accompagnato per tutte le 3 settimane è stato qualcosa di meraviglioso! Non mi sarà possibile partecipare al WDM 2012 perche… sarò a studiarea New York e per questo ringrazio il maestro Desmond Richardson, Michèle Assaf e Francesca Dario che mi hanno assegnato 2 borse di studio presso Complexions e Peridance Capezio Center! Grazie WDM!!!
- Giovanni La Rocca
WDM Dancer & winner of the WDM Online Scholarship Competition for WDM 2011! - Italy
- Adriana Recchia
Vincitrice della borsa di studio per il Peridance Certificate Program di 2 anni dal WDM 2011 - Italy
To me, the World Dancer of the Year experience was incredible and something that I will never forget. Firstly, the environment. It was so uplifting and I will never forget the roar of the crowd that I heard when I entered and exited the stage. Performing on the WDM stage and looking out to see an ocean of faces invested in my dance felt so surreal. They got to watch me do what I love most and enjoyed the experience with me. I loved every second of the competition and I will cherish the memories forever. I also got to push myself outside of my comfort zone and make many new friends from all over the world and learn about them and their culture. My fellow competitors and friends always cheered me on and were my biggest supporters/fan club and we became a family. Although we all had our eyes set on the prize, it didn’t stop us from having fun together.
- Kiera Mettiere
Junior World Dancer of the Year 2024 - Australia
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