DANCE DATA PROJECT® RELEASES FIRST EVER PERCUSSIVE DANCE COMPANIES DATA BYTE: SECTOR OPERATES AT NET DEFICIT,REVEALING LARGEST ECONOMIC DISPARITY RECORDED BY DDP
Northfield, IL | November 11th, 2025 | Dance Data Project® (DDP) today announces the publication of its Percussive Dance Companies Data Byte, an analysis of the financial scale and stability of 28 percussive dance organizations across the United States. This latest Data Byte marks DDP’s first in-depth examination of the percussive sector–encompassing forms such as tap, Irish step, flamenco, and body percussion–highlighting the important albeit dramatically smaller economic footprint compared to contemporary/modern and ballet companies.
The Percussive Dance Companies Data Byte analyzed the financial information of 28 organizations, with 25 companies reporting complete FY2023 data. Together, these companies reported combined aggregate expenditures of $11,065,309 and revenues of $10,723,690, resulting in a net deficit of $341,619 for FY2023. Despite this deficit, 17 of the 28 companies (68%) finished the year with a surplus, while 8 companies (32%) operated in deficit.
“The findings from this Data Byte reveal both the resilience and precarity of the percussive dance sector,” said Junyla Silmon, DDP’s Senior Research Consultant and report lead. “While many of these organizations have sustained operations through strong community engagement and artistic innovation, the scale of their financial resources remains strikingly limited compared to other dance forms.”
When comparing across sectors, the analysis underscores the vast economic disparity facing percussive dance organizations. In FY2023, the Largest 25 percussive companies’ expenditures were 13 times smaller than those of their contemporary and modern counterparts, and 54.9 times smaller than the ballet sector. Similarly, revenue for the same group was 10.9 times smaller than contemporary and modern companies, and 52.6 times smaller than ballet companies.
This represents the greatest economic disparity DDP has recorded among the dance sectors it has studied to date. Although percussive dance companies such as flamenco and step dance institutions are globally recognized and rooted in centuries- old traditions that predate or parallel ballet and modern dance, they account for only a fraction of the financial footprint observed across the U.S. dance landscape.
“These findings point to a critical imbalance in visibility and investment,” said Elizabeth “Liza” Yntema, DDP President and Founder. “Percussive dance forms have played an integral role in shaping the evolution of dance worldwide, yet the financial data shows they remain vastly underfunded and undervalued. The health of the dance ecosystem depends on recognizing and supporting these vital, historically rich forms.” Ms. Yntema added, “I would like to thank Michael Feller, dance enthusiast and board member of Dorrance Dance, whose insight encouraged a more in-depth exploration of percussive dance. Many of our strongest initiatives are inspired by those actively engaged in the field.”
The Percussive Dance Companies Data Byte is part of DDP’s ongoing effort to expand research beyond ballet to include all major professional dance sectors, providing data-driven insights that inform advocacy for greater equity and sustainability across the field.
The full Data Byte is available at www.dancedataproject.com/research.
