Arts Commission honors dance school director Linda Daniels McDonald

The Arlington Heights Arts Commission recently honored Linda Daniels McDonald, director of the McDonald Dance Academy, as the 2016 winner of the commission's sixth annual Cultural Arts Award.

Daniels McDonald was presented with the award during the village board meeting recently at the Arlington Heights Village Hall.

The award was given in recognition of Daniels McDonald's substantial contribution to dance education, as well as the many ways in which she has given back to the community.

In 1993, Daniels McDonald opened McDonald Dance Academy in Arlington Heights. She created a studio where proper technique was stressed and students could acquire a strong dance foundation in various dance disciplines.

Linda is the director of the Arlington Dance Ensemble, the performance group based out of her studio. She started the concert-based ensemble for students interested in performing and sharing their talents with the community. Every other year, the ensemble takes excerpts from "The Nutcracker" and performs them at local retirement communities.

Daniels McDonald is involved in philanthropic, work and the ensemble has presented many benefit concerts to help those in need. She co-hosts the annual "Dance for Life-Next Generation" dance concert associated with Dance for Life in Chicago. Proceeds from the concert go to the Aids Foundation and The Children's Place in Chicago.

She has served for 15 years on the Ambassador's Board for Dance for Life and on the board for the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, an educational organization with workshops open to students and teachers throughout the country. She also received her Master of Dance Educator Certification.

In 2012, Daniels McDonald received the Hearts of Gold Mentorship award from the Village of Arlington Heights. This award is presented to individuals who have influenced and served as a mentor for young lives.

In presenting the award, Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes said, "Congratulations, and thank you for your dedication and passion to the arts here in the Village of Arlington Heights. We wish you continued great success in all that you do for our village."

Daniels McDonald thanked the Arts Commission and said, "Sometimes, when being an artist you do so much out of passion and love for the art, you never really expect to be rewarded, and when you are, it's just such a wonderful thing."

The annual Village of Arlington Heights Cultural Arts award is based on a candidate's past or present relationship with the Arlington Heights Community; his or her resume; accomplished local and regional artistic achievements; and, in some instances, national and international honors.

To nominate a candidate for the 2017 Cultural Arts Award, contact Arts Commission liaison Derek Mach at dmach@vah.com or call (847) 368-5232.

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