ROOTS Dance Summit 2025 Classes
OUR FOCUS & COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION
At ROOTS, education stands as a paramount focus for the Summit’s entire dance community over the weekend. While valuing our competition activities, our diverse classes and workshops also constitute an integral component of a holistic experience aimed at fostering growth both individually and within the collective community. Dancers, parents, teachers, and directors will all walk away with new things to think about and tools to improve themselves, their training, and their studio programs.
Master Classes
Participants: Students
Observation: Parents, Teachers, and Directors
Summit technique and movement classes offer dancers the opportunity to immerse themselves in a diverse range of master classes including Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz and Improvisation. Our classes are tailored to enhance their technique, foster artistic expression, and encourage personal growth. Led by a team of experienced and dynamic faculty, each class is designed to provide participants with invaluable insights and hands-on instruction, ensuring an enriching experience that empowers dancers to reach new heights in their craft. Whether honing technical precision or exploring emotive storytelling, the Summit promises to be a dynamic platform for dancers to refine their skills and ignite their passion for dance.
College & Career Workshops
Participants: Students, Parents, Teachers, and Directors
We will take participants beyond the studio floor by offering engaging college and career workshop panels for students and parents alike. These sessions provide invaluable insights and guidance on navigating the multifaceted world of dance education and professional opportunities. By encouraging participants to explore their goals, interests, and values, these workshops empower individuals to proactively prepare for a fulfilling journey tailored to their unique aspirations, ensuring they embark on a path aligned with their passions and ambitions.
Injury Prevention Workshop
Participants: Students
Observation: Parents, Teachers, and Directors
Our Summit injury prevention workshop is designed to empower dancers with essential knowledge and practices to safeguard their physical well-being and longevity in their careers. Through targeted exercises, education on body awareness, and proactive injury management strategies, participants learn to become their own advocates for health and resilience. By instilling a culture of prevention and self-care, this workshop equips dancers with the tools they need to navigate their careers safely, minimizing the risk of injury and maximizing their potential for long-term success and fulfillment.
Critique Session
Participants: Students
Observation: Parents, Teachers, and Directors
Feedback from the adjudicators in real-time during the competition is one thing. Critique while sitting in front of the faculty is another. The ROOTS critique session on Day 3 offers a constructive blend of specific artistic and technical assessments alongside etiquette and professionalism guidance. Facilitated by class instructors and adjudicators in the theater at the end of the weekend, these sessions provide dancers with generalized feedback to refine their craft while instilling essential teamwork and professionalism values. Parents, teachers and directors are also invited to listen in but the Q&A portion of the session will be directed toward the students. The faculty adjudicators will lead the forum which will provide overall insights of what they observed in classes, workshops and competition over the course of the weekend. The insights will provide invaluable artistic, technical, and assessments fostering sustainable individual, team, and program growth.
Health & Wellness Forums
Participants: Students, Parents, Teachers, and Directors
These vital forums welcome parents, teachers, and directors to join students in the conversation on crucial health and wellness issues impacting dancers of all ages. Led by leading experts in their respective fields, these sessions delve into crucial health and wellness topics prevalent in dancers' training journeys, offering valuable insights and strategies for all participants. Through open dialogue and shared expertise, participants gain a deeper understanding of how to nurture the physical, mental, and emotional health of dancers, fostering a supportive environment destigmatizing conducive to sustainable growth and success, while destigmatizing sensitive topics, some of which may have previously been taboo or neglected.
Parent Education Session
Participants: Parents
ROOTS recognizes that parents and guardians are a critical part of their dancer’s journey. This education session is dedicated to equipping parents with the knowledge and tools necessary to support the education and growth of their artistically inclined children. Through insightful discussions and practical guidance, parents gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities their children may encounter in pursuing their artistic passions. By empowering parents to navigate the intricacies of the artistic journey alongside their children, this session fosters a supportive environment where young artists can flourish and reach their full potential.
Teacher & Director Lunchtime Forum
Participants: Teachers and Directors
Our catered lunchtime meet-up for teachers and directors is more than just a gesture of gratitude (though it certainly is that!) for their unwavering dedication to helping our students realize their dreams. It serves as a vibrant gathering where we not only express appreciation but also foster new connections, forge friendships, and engage in meaningful discussions on various teaching topics. Amidst the delightful spread of culinary delights, we come together to celebrate our shared passion for dance education and explore innovative approaches to empower the next generation of dancers. Our ROOTS Director and Faculty will host the lunch and facilitate the lively and important conversation.
