Windfall Dance Company; the early years

Founder Debra Knapp describes the beginning

By Stephanie Lanyi

Published Dec. 10, 2006

The Windfall Dance Company is known as the first and most successful modern dance company in Bloomington, Ind. With its free dance classes and inspiring performances held each year, Windfall has come to be regarded as one of the best non-profit dance companies in Bloomington today.

Over the past 29 years Windfall has been through many changes. If it had not been for the four women who started Windfall, the company would not be what it has become today.

Founded by Debra Knapp who now teaches modern dance at New Mexico State University, Windfall was created as a way for the company members to earn a living and to service the Bloomington community.

“There were no other performing avenues for us in Bloomington,” says Knapp. “We all wanted to be choreographers.”

Windfall began because the company that existed before Windfall moved to Minneapolis. Knapp and five others decided to put on a modern dance concert in November of 1977 and received a good response from the community. After the first concert, the women decided to start their own company and Windfall officially began in April of 1978.

Windfall is among several other non-profit dance companies in Bloomington. According to Knapp, the hardest part of opening a studio is trying to find grants.

“One of our weaknesses was finding a good financial base,” says Knapp.” It becomes really difficult to keep something alive when you’re not making a lot of money doing it.”

Knapp left Windfall in 1988 and says she is just thrilled with the way the company has progressed.

“It’s been great that people keep breathing life into it,” says Knapp.

Approaching its 30th anniversary, Windfall is the most successful modern dance company in Bloomington and would not be where it is without the help of Knapp. Windfall began with a strong connection to the community and continues to build that connection almost 30 years later.

“Very seldom can people say that they started something and 30 years later it’s still alive and well,” says Knapp. “It definitely says something about how connected we were to the community.”

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