About Us
About Us
National FastDance Association
Founded by Bill Maddox in 1998, the National FastDance Association (NFA) is the largest dance organization of its kind in America. Our mission has been to promote and pass along the various forms of fast dancing to future generations, as well as to provide our members with discounted music licensing and access to liability insurance. We have recently expanded – our licenses will now be extended to all types of dances and dancers.
For more than 26 years we have had a relationship with the three national PRO’s (Performing Rights Organizations), ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. They are in the business of enforcing Federal Music Copyright Laws by issuing licenses to present copyrighted music. The NFA has obtained Blanket License Agreements with the three performing rights organizations and we offer our members tremendous savings on these music licenses for their clubs and events. We are able to hold down the cost of fees because we have so many dancers under our national licensing umbrella.
We are amazed and delighted at the resurgence of interest and participation in swing dance styles in the last couple of decades. Where there were once pockets here or there of Boppers, Swingers, Shaggers, etc., we now are seeing a proliferation of dance organizations and major events all across America. There are many parties and events for our dancers all around the country every weekend.
The Shag has moved Westward out of the Carolinas. Shaggers can be found as far North as New England and as far West as St. Louis and Utah. The Bop has extended its popularity out of the Southeast into the Northeast and Midwest. The Lindy or Lindy Hop is enjoyed all along the Eastern and Western seaboards. The Push and Whip are spreading in Texas and beyond. The Jitterbug, once nearly extinct, has had a rebirth in Chicago and areas of the Southeast. The Swing, whether East or West Coast, is currently the fastest growing fast dance style. Swing dance clubs can now be found in every major city.
Many dance conventions are offering spectacular and sophisticated national competitions for our dancers. The shag and swing communities are doing a great job in bringing in younger dancers in their teens. They are contributing a new excitement and vitality and are taking our dances to new levels of performance and enjoyment. Our basic 6- and 8-count dance styles make transitioning from one dance style to another very easy. East Coast dancers can dance with Shaggers. Boppers and Hand Dancers can easily dance with West Coasters. Jitterbuggers and Lindy Hoppers can play off one another. The dances and music (all triple-count for the most part), are all coming together to make a great blend and mixture of fast dance styles.
We feel strongly about our dance & music heritage, and the need to keep it alive and vibrant.
