DanceOne Summit offers free virtual Summit Sessions
Our take
The DanceOne Summit, formerly known as the Dance Teacher Summit, is gearing up to make waves in New York City this August. However, the excitement is not just reserved for the summer; it starts now with the launch of free virtual Summit Sessions. These one-hour sessions are tailored to empower dance educators, providing them access to industry leaders and thought-provoking content. For instance, the first session, led by Alexandra Beller on January 28, promises to delve into the introspective aspects of teaching dance, emphasizing the values and pedagogical frameworks that shape our classrooms. This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need for professional development in the arts, which is crucial not just for educators but for the dance community as a whole.
The relevance of these sessions extends beyond the immediacy of the event. In a world where the arts continuously face challenges for funding and recognition, opportunities for professional growth and dialogue are invaluable. By fostering a community where educators can learn from one another and reflect on their practices, DanceOne Summit is contributing to a culture of excellence and innovation in dance education. This aligns with broader trends in the arts, as seen in initiatives like the Dance takes center stage in Lincoln Center’s ‘Summer for the City’ program, which seeks to elevate the visibility and appreciation of dance in public spaces. It’s about building bridges within the artistic community and ensuring that dance remains a vibrant and evolving discipline.
Moreover, the emphasis on values and pedagogy in the Summit Sessions is particularly significant in today's educational landscape. As educators, it is imperative to continuously assess our motivations and methodologies. The session led by Beller is a timely reminder that teaching is not merely about imparting knowledge but rather about understanding the deeper implications of our choices. This perspective can enhance the learning experience for students, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment. As the dance community navigates the complexities of teaching and learning in a post-pandemic world, these discussions are not just beneficial; they are essential for nurturing a new generation of dancers.
Looking ahead, the question remains: how can we leverage these virtual sessions to create lasting impacts beyond their scheduled dates? The DanceOne Summit's commitment to providing free access is a step in the right direction, but it also begs the question of sustainability. Will participants carry the insights gained from these sessions into their classrooms and communities, fostering a ripple effect of positivity and growth? Or will this remain a momentary engagement, lost in the hustle of daily routines?
In conclusion, the DanceOne Summit's initiative to offer free virtual sessions presents a unique opportunity for dance educators to engage deeply with their craft. As we anticipate the event in August, let us not overlook the significance of these early sessions. They provide not only professional enrichment but also a platform for dialogue and reflection that can ultimately transform our approach to dance education. As we embrace this opportunity, we should remain committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and support within the dance community.
DanceOne Summit (formerly Dance Teacher Summit) is coming back to NYC this August, but it’s still months to go until summer. As the excitement builds toward the epic event, DanceOne will be offering free Summit Sessions, a series of one-hour virtual sessions designed to give dance educators everywhere access to top-tier voices in the industry.
The first Summit Session kicks off on January 28, at 10am (PST)/1pm (EST), with Alexandra Beller, who will be leading a Values + Pedagogy Mirror Class. The writing-based session explores why you teach the way you do and how unconscious habits may be shaping your classroom.
Here, Dance Informa speaks with DanceOne Summit Event Director Chantel Feola, as well as the three Summit Sessions speakers about this amazing resource for dance teachers, studio owners, choreographers and dancers.
“Sessions will focus on everything from building yourself as an educator to technique development, nutrition, studio business, marketing and finances – and so much more,” explains Feola. “These are designed to be hands-on, workshop-style conversations that help educators dig deeper, think differently and walk away with practical strategies they can use immediately.”
The Summit Sessions will offer the same caliber of voices that are presented at DanceOne Summit – but in an incredibly accessible and convenient virtual option. “Summit Sessions give educators a preview of some of the incredible speakers you’ll see live this summer,” Feola says. “These monthly sessions are completely free and will be recorded. By registering, participants will receive email updates and access to the recordings — making it easy to share with staff and continue growing as a leader and educator as we count down to DanceOne Summit.”
January Summit Sessions speaker Alexandra Beller says she will be focusing on three important topics for her sessions. Re-Designing the Dance Class: Teaching from Your Values will be a reflective session that helps dance teachers align what they believe about teaching with how their classes are actually structured and led. Bartenieff Fundamentals: Supporting the Whole Dancer is a physical, somatic class offering practical tools to build stronger, more connected and more expressive dancers. And Finding the Right Correction: Movement Observation & Clear Feedback will be a practical session focused on seeing movement more clearly and delivering precise, effective corrections with confidence and care.
“My Summit Sessions focus on helping dance teachers develop clearer, more intentional systems for teaching — grounded in the body, aligned with their values, and responsive to the realities of today’s classrooms,” Beller tells Dance Informa. “The sessions are geared toward dance teachers and studio leaders who are experienced, thoughtful and curious, but may feel stuck, burned out or unsure how to evolve their teaching without losing rigor. Across the classes, we’ll explore somatic foundations, movement observation and pedagogical choice-making — offering both physical experiences and practical frameworks teachers can take directly back to their studios.”
Beller adds, “My hope is that participants leave with renewed clarity, language they can trust and a deeper sense of confidence in why they teach the way they do — not just how.”
The February Summit Session will be led by Arielle Di Leo, founder and CEO of Loop Costumes, and will be held virtually on February 25, at 8:30am (PST)/11:30am (EST). Di Leo’s session, Circularity in Costumes: Practical Strategies for Studios & Performers, is designed for studio owners, directors and teachers who want to rethink how costumes move through their programs.
“We’ll explore the full lifecycle of a costume – from purchase to performance to what happens after – and discuss how circular practices like reuse and resale can reduce waste while simultaneously making dance more accessible and affordable for families,” Di Leo explains. “I’m excited to share actionable frameworks that studios can implement immediately, including how to turn costume circularity into an actual revenue stream for your studio. Through programs like Loop’s Studio Earning initiative, studios can generate income from costumes that would otherwise sit unused, creating a win-win scenario: families save money on gently-used costumes while studios earn commission on sales.”
In March, neuromuscular educator Deborah Vogel will lead a Summit Session titled Mobility Beyond Stretching: A Brain-Based Approach for Dance Teachers, on March 25, at 9am (PST)/12pm (EST). This session will look at the connection between brain and body, and how limited mobility may not be a flexibility problem but instead a brain-body connection issue.
“You’ll explore how the nervous system influences range of motion, coordination, balance and ease of movement — often instantaneously,” Vogel shares. “Through simple assessments and short, powerful drills, you’ll experience how visual, vestibular and proprioceptive inputs can change range of motion in real time. You’ll learn why joint mapping matters, how the eyes and balance system influence mobility, and how small neural inputs can unlock movement quickly — often in ways traditional approaches miss.”
Offering these free and accessible Summit Sessions shows DanceOne’s commitment to dance teacher education and professional development. “Summit Sessions are meant to spark ideas, inspire growth and create meaningful dialogue within the dance education community,” Feola explains.
Beller adds, “Dance teachers are often expected to grow and adapt without consistent access to mentorship, feedback or continuing education. Professional development spaces like Summit Sessions offer something rare: time to pause, reflect and recalibrate in community. These opportunities help teachers move beyond habit or inheritance — ‘this is how I was taught’ — and instead make conscious, informed choices that support healthier dancers, clearer communication and more sustainable teaching practices. They also remind teachers that they are learners, too, and that growth doesn’t require starting over — just asking better questions.”
Looking ahead to August’s DanceOne Summit, dance teachers and participants can expect to see Beller, Di Leo and Vogel in attendance, as well as many other inspiring industry leaders. Feola also notes that this year’s event will include expanded networking opportunities, interactive exhibitor engagement in the Expo Hall, exciting prize giveaways, and a thrilling lineup of both new and returning presenters.
“What I love most about DanceOne Summit is the openness of the community,” Beller expresses. “There’s a genuine appetite for learning, exchange and depth, and a willingness to explore ideas that don’t always fit neatly into traditional studio models. I’m especially excited to connect with teachers from a wide range of backgrounds and to be part of conversations that bridge technique, pedagogy, and care for the whole dancer.”
To register for the free Summit Sessions, click here. DanceOne Summit will be held from August 13-16 at the Hilton Midtown in NYC. For more information and to register, visit www.danceonesummit.com.
By Laura Di Orio of Dance Informa.
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