APPLY NOW

The purpose of Pathways Youth Dance Conference is to provide young dancers from the ages of 11 to 18 with access to master classes with professional dancers and information about pursuing dance beyond childhood into college and as a profession.

There will also be a presentation of several scholarships for students to go to summer intensives, as well as an award for student choreography.

An opportunity for participating dance communities to perform will also be available on the evening of September 27, 2025.

THE APPLICATION FOR THIS EVENT IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.

Friday, September 26, 2025

 

5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Check-In at Hotels

 

Saturday, September 27, 2025

 

7:30 a.m. until 8:15 a.m.  Check-In at Smyrna Event Center/Expo Open

(If you did not check-in at your hotel the night before)

Breakfast at Hotels

 

8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Welcome/Keynote Address

Becca Hoback will speak about developing an online brand and finding your personal voice through dance

 

Every participant will need to participate in one dance session and

one panel discussion during these two sessions.

 

9:45 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Session I

and

11:15 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Session II

 

Dance Sessions	Panel Discussions
Ballet 1	Dance Company Management
Jazz	Dance Studio Ownership
Theatrical Dance	Dance + Education
Improvisational Dance	Dance + Media

 

Dance Company Management

A panel of professionals working for established dance companies will discuss the training, education,

and other skills needed to succeed as a member of a professional dance company. They will also talk about establishing and managing a dance company.

 

Dance Studio Ownership

A panel of long-established dance business owners will discuss the skills necessary

to excel as the owner of a dance studio. These skills include more than just the ability to dance and teach dancing, there are also business skills needed to be successful.

 

Dance + Education

This panel discussion will be about becoming a dance teacher/professor in the academic world,

both at the college and pre-college levels. Panel participants will offer insights

into necessary classes, skills and the world of academia.

 

Dance + Media

What is it like to dance in a movie or on television? How do you create a life as a

professional dancer in this realm? What about social media? This panel will focus

on dance and all forms of media.

 

12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Lunch/Expo Open

Casual Box Lunch

 

Every participant will need to participate in one dance session and

one panel discussion during these two sessions.

 

1:45 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Session III

and

3:15 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Session IV

 

Dance Sessions	Panel Discussions
Ballet 2	Dance + Community
Hip Hop	Dance + Healthcare
Historical Dance	Dance + Business
African Dance	Dance + Theater

 

Dance + Community

What is a non-profit organization? How can a dancer be involved in the community through

membership in or management of a community non-profit organization?

Come to this panel discussion to learn more about dance and community involvement.

 

Dance + Healthcare

Professionals in the healthcare industry will discuss ways to integrate an interest in dance

with an interest in a number of different aspects of the healthcare industry.

Doctors, physical therapists, dieticians and mental health professionals working

with dancers are better able to help their patients when they have firsthand knowledge of this world.

 

Dance + Business

Those with an entrepreneurial spirit and a love of dance can benefit from this session.

There are other businesses besides dance studios that offer opportunities

to blend dance and a desire to own a business.

 

Dance + Theater

Have a desire to dance before the footlights of Broadway? Or want to combine

an interest in dance and acting and/or singing? This panel will discuss what it takes

to be a double or triple threat.

 

Dinner on Your Own

****

7:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.  Dance Festival Performances (Offsite)

 

Sunday, September 28, 2025

 

8:00 a.m. until 8:30 a.m.  Expo Open

 

Every participant will need to participate in one dance session and

one panel discussion during these two sessions.

 

8:45 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Session V

and

10:15 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. Session VI

 

Dance Sessions	Panel Discussions
Pointe 1	Auditions + Portfolios + Resumes
Tap	Internship + Mentors + Networking
Counter Technique	Dance + College
Salsa	Dance + Choreography

 

Auditions + Portfolios + Resumes

This workshop will focus on helping participants understand more about

putting together their personal branding materials – their resume, portfolio

and audition material -- to show them at their best, be it for a summer intensive application,

a master class, auditioning for a college program or for a part in a play, movie or video.

 

Internship + Mentors + Networking

There is an old say, it’s all about who you know. Even in this world of social media

and digital everything, those personal connections are still necessary to success.

This workshop will help participants learn how to find a mentor, use internships to find jobs,

and to develop a personal network of meaningful relationships bringing mutual success.

 

Dance + College

What does attending college do for a dancer?

What types of classes will a dance student take?

Is college necessary to audition for a company? Why? Why not?

These and many more related questions will be answered during this discussion.

 

Dance + Choreography

Want to be the next Bob Fosse, Akram Kahn or JaQuel Knight?

This panel will discuss what it takes to be a number one choreographer,

and maybe teach a little about some job opportunities in the area that you never

even thought about.  Who do you think creates the dances for those Old Navy commercials?

 

11:30 am until 12:15 p.m. Expo Open/Lunch and Performance Set-Up

****

12:15 p.m. until 12:45 p.m. Lunch

12:45 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. Youth Choreographer Performances

2:15 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. Awards/Thank Yous

 

APPLY NOW

 

Please download the application, complete, send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and make your payment below. Make sure the name of the person making the payment is filled in correctly on the application so the payment and application can be coordinated.

 

Member Cost BEFORE September 1,2025: $125 per person

(Join today)

 

Non-Member cost to apply BEFORE September 1, 2025: $150 per person

 

LATE APPLICATION

 

Member Cost AFTER September 1, 2025: $150 per person

(Join Today)

 

Non-Member AFTER September 1, 2025: $175 per person