Dancin' Unlimited was originally the "Dance Theater Company of Northern Virginia," and organized in 1972 by Robert Thoma. Mr. Thoma had a goal to "assemble and train a company of young people who would specialize in jazz dancing." Drawing upon his background in Broadway, musical comedy, and using contemporary music and ideas, he choreographed works that emphasized theatrical jazz dance. With the company's acceptance into the Northeast Regional Ballet Association in 1974, they became the only all-jazz dance company in the region.

Marilyn York became the Artistic Director in 1976. The company was known, during the early 1980's, as the Virginia Jazz Theatre. They grew into a stable and cohesive performing unit through membership of professional adult dancers who had settled in the area and wished to continue performing. They focused on theatrical jazz dance concerts, with emphasis on technical excellence. In addition to bringing quality jazz dance to the Washington DC metropolitan area, the company also became a training ground for the serious jazz dancer, including the older high school and college dancers, aiming toward musical theatre and concert jazz performance.

In 1982, Ms. York changed the name to Dancin' Unlimited, the first company in the area to produce all-jazz dance theatrical productions and cabaret-style shows. As a result, the "Jazz and Tap Dance Festival" was born in 1985, in Northern Virginia. Each year the best local companies participate in a weekend of jazz and tap dance at it's finest. The Jazz and Tap Dance Festival, with the help of grants from The Arts Council of Fairfax County, has also hosted guest companies from across the United States. This event is now an annually anticipated community treasure.