The Naples International Dance Festival returns Friday, Feb. 26 through Sunday, Feb. 28, 2027, and this year’s program is being shaped by a committee of dancers who built their careers on the world’s major stages.
Presented by United Arts Collier, the three-day festival pairs internationally known dancers with Southwest Florida audiences through performances, masterclasses, wellness sessions and free community events. Organizers describe the idea behind it as “Where Movement Meets Paradise.”
The Artistic Planning Committee is co-chaired by Francie Huber and Eric Otto, joined by Megan LeCrone, Tyler Angle and Melissa Hough, under the creative direction of United Arts Collier CEO Elysia Dawn. Between them they have danced with New York City Ballet, the Paul Taylor Dance Company, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, the Norwegian National Ballet and on Broadway. The committee sets the festival’s artistic direction, including featured artists, programming, educational offerings and the premier performance.
Huber is a former principal with the Paul Taylor Dance Company, a Bessie Award recipient and Fulbright Scholar who lives in Southwest Florida and teaches at Florida Gulf Coast University. Angle is a principal dancer with New York City Ballet. Hough closed a 24-year career in June after thirteen seasons as a principal with the Norwegian National Ballet.
“The artists guiding this festival with UAC have built their extraordinary careers from the studios to the stage, and that knowledge is poured into what we’re creating for students and audiences alike,” said Dawn. “It’s a privilege to have these world-class artists shaping this festival we created for our community, and I’m grateful for the time, passion, and expertise they’re bringing to Collier County.”
The last festival included dance-on-film screenings, masterclasses at Opera Naples, a free all-ages workshop at Naples Botanical Garden led by Ailey Arts in Education teaching artist Nasha Thomas, and programming built around wellness and accessibility, including Dance for Parkinson’s Disease.
Gulfshore Life and The Naples Press return as media sponsors. Artists, venues and ticket details will be announced in the coming months.
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