A jazz enthusiast from an early age, she made efforts to become a singer, however had more success as a journalist and producer.
Her first act of note in jazz history was in introducing Teddy Wilson to the Benny Goodman Orchestra and persuaded them to play in Chicago.
It was one of the first sit-down jazz concerts in America and was also significant because it was a public performance with an interracial ensemble.
[3] She later made other efforts to help interracial music collaboration, and was the host of significant parties and concerts for the jazz world.
Among these recordings are Bigard's original hit version of "Caravan", Hodges' "Jeep's Blues" and Williams' "Dooji Wooji" (all written or co-written by Ellington).
[6] Following the death of her brother during the Second World War, she joined the Women's Army Corps and later did secret operations with the Office of Strategic Services.
In the 1960s, Dance became active in the Civil rights movement and was a founder of Catholic Interracial Council in Connecticut.