About ROOTS Dance Summit 2025
Why Attend The Summit?
We believe that students, parents, teachers and directors of dance programs want the same thing - opportunities for transformational growth and experiences that enrich the environment where our dancers and teachers work hard every day to successfully reach their goals.
ROOTS Dance Summit is an experience designed to bring together all important constituencies of our studios; students, parents, teachers, and directors - to build community and understanding toward our shared purpose.
Our values-based program seeks to bring balance to a competitive culture - embracing the value and desire for healthy competition, and adding elements like celebration and community building to ensure we stay true to our purpose as educators.
It is in this spirit that the faculty and staff of ROOTS stand with our dance education community, honoring the incredible work that is done every day.
We promise to deliver a program that elevates the best of who we are. We will judge our efforts by the degree to which students, and the training programs that serve them, grow stronger as a result of their time at The Summit.
While we aren’t looking to change the world in three days, we WILL make a huge difference for our participants.
Onward! See you all at ROOTS!
LOCATIONS
Phoenix, AZ: January 24-26
Madison Performing Arts Center
Get more information on the venue and travel here!
Montgomery, AL: February 7-9
Montgomery Performing Arts Center
Get more information on the venue and travel here!
Join us for more summit locations in the following season - 2025/26!
OUR FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS
Welcome to ROOTS Dance Summit, where our mission is to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive community for studio and school communities; to inspire artistic excellence, and empower the next generation of dancers.
At ROOTS, we recognize that dance is more than just movement; it's a powerful form of expression that connects people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
The weekend’s schedule is built on the following foundations:
Community
Dynamic student, teacher, and parent forums to bring about a greater understanding of issues that impact the dance community's health and individual dancers' well-being.
Classes
Inspirational instruction from diverse leading educators and artists to facilitate strength, movement capacity, intention, creativity, and confidence.
Competition
Healthy stage performance that will recognize the excellence among us to motivate individual and team self-awareness, effort, and respect.
Critique
In-depth feedback forums will provide artistic and technical assessments fostering sustainable individual, team, and program growth.
Celebration
Engaging social activities will focus on dance as a joyful practice and build momentum toward tackling shared interests, nurturing sustainable relationships, and creating positive change.
College & Careers
Empowering mentorship and specialized programming that is dedicated to educating young artists about their post-high school options and opportunities.
ROOTS SUMMIT Leadership
Francisco Gella
Artistic and Education Director
Santa Fe, NM
Jeffrey Hoffman
Executive Director
Santa Fe, NM
Angela Carter
Managing and Competition Director
Los Angeles, CA
Tara Debevec
Customer Experience Coordinator
Santa Fe, NM
Anastasia Miller
Marketing and Merchandising Coordinator
Los Angeles, CA
A PLACE OF BELONGING
Our commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable experience.
Creating a sense of belonging and inclusiveness is paramount for ROOTS Dance Summit as it fosters a vibrant and supportive community where dancers of all backgrounds feel valued and respected. In a space where diverse talents converge, nurturing an environment where everyone feels welcomed cultivates creativity and collaboration.
Belongingness not only enhances the overall experience for participants but also encourages individuals to express themselves authentically - on the stage and off the stage. thereby enriching the artistic landscape of the summit.
Inclusivity ensures that no one feels marginalized or excluded, promoting equity and fairness within the dance community. By prioritizing a culture of acceptance and understanding, ROOTS Dance Summit not only celebrates the uniqueness of each dancer but also strengthens the bonds that unite them in their shared passion for movement and expression.
Our team is committed to putting these values into practice not only for the benefit of creating a safe and enriching Summit environment, but also to instill them into dancers, parents and teachers to influence their own dance communities when they return home.
Our pledge to put these values and beliefs into practice
- We provide targeted scholarships to give students the opportunity to participate regardless of their ability to pay.
- We foster and sustain an environment built on mutual respect by providing time and activities for participants to get to know each other.
- We hold each other and our participants accountable for using communication and engaging in behavior that is constructive and respectful.
- We do not tolerate hateful, discriminatory, harassing or threatening language or behavior between participants or between staff and participants.
- We create a competition and educational environment that celebrates individuality and uniqueness.
PRODUCERS
ROOTS Dance Summit is powered by Francisco Gella Dance Works. At the heart of this organization led by founding chief creative officer Francisco Gella, lies a profound commitment to nurturing the next generation of dance artists. With a mission centered on identifying and developing young talent and potential, the company serves as a beacon of inspiration and mentorship in the dance community.
Through innovative training programs, workshops, educational initiatives, and a robust scholarship program, Francisco Gella Dance Works empowers young artists from a diverse mix of backgrounds and identities to discover their unique voices, hone their technical skills, and cultivate their artistic vision.
With a focus on holistic growth and individualized attention, the company provides a highly supportive environment where aspiring dancers can flourish both artistically and personally. By instilling a deep sense of discipline, creativity, and professionalism, Francisco Gella Dance Works equips young artists with the tools they need to thrive in the ever-evolving world of dance and beyond.