New York, NY—May 5, 2026—Dance Media, the leading global platform for the dance industry with an audience of 16 million across digital, social, print, and event channels, has been acquired by Rubelmann Capital and Coogee Bay Partners in a strategic move to expand investment and innovation in the performing arts ecosystem.
The acquisition brings together Dance Media’s deep domain expertise, authoritative voice, editorial legacy, and expansive audience reach with the new owners’ vision for driving transformation and scaling the iconic brand. This alliance is anticipated to enhance Dance Media’s growth potential and impact across its digital, print, social media, and live-event platforms. Additionally, it will facilitate the development of new products designed to offer increased utility to the dance industry. As Dance Media embarks on this new era of growth, it will build upon a strong foundation to better serve all constituents in the dance ecosystem by investing in new opportunities across content, community, technology, and services.
Joshua Ellstein and Michael Felman, co-founders of Coogee Bay Partners, are joining forces once more with Peter Rappaport, founder of Rubelmann Capital. This renewed partnership follows their successful collaboration in developing Backstage from a legacy publication into a premier digital platform that serves and equips millions of enthusiasts, students, and professionals across the content creation and production sectors.
“Coogee Bay Partners and Rubelmann Capital bring deep expertise in digital strategy, audience development, technology, and analytics. Equally meaningful is their proven commitment to growing the arts with integrity over the long term, along with a genuine passion for serving the dance field. The incredibly dedicated team that has built Dance Media into the global leader it is today is excited for what is to come, particularly as Dance Magazine plans for its centennial next year,” says Joanna Harp, president of Dance Media.
“Dance Media represents decades of trusted expertise and is one of the most recognized and respected voices in the dance community. Drawing on our experience at Backstage, we see meaningful opportunities to strengthen and build on that foundation in ways that further support artists and all of the many other integral people and businesses in the dance world,” says Michael Felman.
Under new ownership, Dance Media will continue operating its six multichannel brands—Dance Magazine, Dance Spirit, Pointe, Dance Teacher, Dance Retailer News, and The Dance Edit—with a continued focus on serving the global dance community while exploring new avenues for growth and engagement. Dance Magazine, the global publication of record for dance, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027.
“The strength of Dance Media has always been its ability to connect every corner of the dance world—from studio to stage, classroom to boardroom,” says Harp. “With the support of Coogee Bay Partners and Rubelmann Capital, we are excited to build on that foundation and expand how we serve and elevate the field.”
Dance Media is a leading information and content company dedicated to the world of dance. Through its six multichannel properties—Dance Magazine, Dance Spirit, Pointe, Dance Teacher, Dance Retailer News, and The Dance Edit—the company delivers engaging content to dancers, dance professionals, and dance lovers worldwide. Across digital, social, print, and event channels, Dance Media reaches a global audience of approximately 16 million, spanning professional dancers, students, educators, studio owners, administrators, artistic and executive directors, choreographers, dance parents, patrons, and dance enthusiasts.
Rubelmann Capital is an independent sector–focused, middle-market private equity firm that invests in deals where it can bring more than capital. Its base of partners allows it to provide management teams with investors and board members who are experienced business operators, financial managers, and industry professionals with global networks and relationships, all of which can be leveraged to expand opportunities and drive increased growth for its companies.
Coogee Bay Partners is a boutique investment and consulting firm that specializes in providing targeted, high-impact strategic and operational expertise. The firm’s primary focus is on collaborating with emerging and established businesses to help them navigate complex market dynamics, optimize operations, and successfully execute growth strategies to achieve significant scale and maximize long-term value.