Episode 87 – Dance Teacher Summit Recap
In this episode of Make Dance Fun, Becca and Dani share a recap from Dance Teacher Summit in New York City.
Dance Teacher Summit Highlights:
- New York Energy: Being back in NYC was a highlight in itself—the food, style, and nonstop inspiration brought fresh energy to the experience.
- Connecting with Friends: They reconnected with industry friends, fellow teachers, and alumni. Meeting Melissa McGee and her Ohio State Dance Team in person was a highlight, and their staffs bonded over brunch and shared ideas.
- Garment District Becca and Dani, along with some staff, squeezed in a quick trip to the garment district.
- Creative Staff Outing: A fun trip to an Klein Designs embroidery studio in Brooklyn, run by a Rhythm alum, gave their staff a chance to personalize items and have a fun night out.
- ACE Awards: Rhythm alum Bella Mills presented choreography and they loved attending this event.
Becca and Dani presented two sessions:
- “Summer Down to a Science” – using the scientific method as a creative framework for structuring fun and successful summer programs.
- Branding & Social Media – tips, strategies, and reminders for keeping your studio’s presence strong and fresh.
Staff Takeaways
With a large group of their team in attendance, Rhythm was able to “divide and conquer” across multiple classes. The staff shared notes and insights in real time and are already implementing improvements, such as updating trial class processes and refreshing assistant teacher strategies. Their teachers especially loved the hip hop sessions and getting inspo for new class combos!
Becca & Dani’s Personal Favorite Classes
- Dani: A seminar with Lauren Ritchie on guiding kids through their emotional journey in dance.
- Becca: Classes with Shanna Kirkpatrick, especially Discipline Over Distraction, which offered practical time management tools.
Looking Ahead
The Summit energized them to bring new ideas back to Rhythm and continue implementing them with their staff. Next up - travel to Nashville for the Dance Educators Collective, where they’ll present again and serve as council members.
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