DancEast Youth Workshops


This fall DancEast School is thrilled to offer youth dance workshops for movers ages 8 - 18. Workshops will allow students to experience different dance instructors and a variety of dance genres! No previous dance experience required.

These workshops are FREE (thanks to donor support) for any student in the age range who wants to participate. Registration is required.

Workshop Schedule:

  • September 6 - Written Words and Dancing Humans 

  • September 13 - Chinese Folk Dance

  • September 27 - Ballroom • Bachata and Salsa

  • October 4 - Jazz

Written Words and Dancing Humans

Saturday, September 6 • 1:00 - 2:30 PM

  • ages 8 - 14

A creative workshop that combines writing and movement in an innovative artistic experience. Participants engage in prompt-based writing exercises (inspired by creative sparks like "write about flying" or "include a talking cat"), followed by supportive sharing sessions using the "Gateless Writing" approach, where peers highlight only what they loved about each piece. The unique element comes next: writers explore bringing their words to life through dance and movement, with options for volunteer readers, musical accompaniment, and both solo and group performances. The workshop welcomes all comfort levels—those who prefer only writing can participate, while others may dance to their stories and poems.

Whit Hill grew up in New York City where she studied dance, theater, and music. She spent many years living in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she was the artistic director of an acclaimed dance company, People Dancing--Whitley Setrakian and Dancers, choreographing more than 60 dance and dance/theater works. She toured the country as a backup singer for a band, began writing her own songs, then formed her own band, Whit Hill and the Postcards. That band released two records: We Are Here and Farsighted. Whit and her husband, award-winning blues artist Al Hill, moved to Nashville in 2008. In 2016, Whit released I Dug it Up: an album of songs inspired by metal detecting; she is currently developing a musical by the same name.

Chinese Folk Dance

Saturday, September 13

  • 12:30 - 1:15 PM - Ages 8 - 13

  • 1:15 - 2:30 PM - Ages 14 - 18

This engaging workshop will introduce young participants to the rich traditions of Chinese cultural expression through movement, offering students the opportunity to learn authentic folk dance techniques and explore the stories and heritage behind these beautiful art forms. Lin's workshop promises to be both educational and inspiring, giving Nashville's youth a hands-on connection to Chinese culture through the joy of dance.

Jen-Jen Lin holds an MFA in Dance from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and an MSA in Accountancy from Bentley Graduate School of Business. She served as artistic director for the internationally-acclaimed Lan-Yang Chinese Folklore Performing Dance Company, danced with Chicago's Jan Erkert & Dancers, taught at the College of William and Mary, and was a professor of dance at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, where her modern dance choreography won the Boston Moves competition and was presented at the Emerson-Majestic Theater. After founding CAAN in December 2002 to promote Chinese arts, she received the "Living Cultural Treasure Award" from Scarritt-Bennett Center in 2000 and the Carell Fine Arts Artist in Residence award in 2013 at Harpeth Hall School, and currently teaches modern dance at Vanderbilt University, TaiChi at Sevier Park, and serves as a Teaching Artist for the Arts Education's ArtSmart Program at Tennessee Performing Arts Center.

Ballroom • Bachata & Salsa

Saturday, September 27 • 1:00 - 2:30 PM

  • Ages 8 - 18

Join us for an exciting ballroom dance workshop featuring two vibrant Latin styles: Bachata and Salsa. Participants will learn the fundamental steps, rhythms, and partnering techniques of these passionate dance forms, exploring the smooth, romantic movements of Bachata alongside the energetic, syncopated patterns of Salsa. Rodriguez's workshop offers dancers of all levels the chance to develop coordination, musicality, and confidence on the dance floor.

Daniel Rodriguez is a dance educator and creative from New York City with an MFA in dance from the prestigious Hollins University. Once he was introduced to dance by the nonprofit National Dance Institute, he became enamored with classical ballet and began his training under Deborah Wingert, Francois Perron, and Nadege Hottier at the Manhattan Youth Ballet. After graduating from LaGuardia’s Dance department with multiple awards and honors, he began a 15 year career with dance companies across the United States including Sarasota Ballet, Dayton Ballet, Kansas City Ballet and the Nashville Ballet. He got to perform works by acclaimed choreographers such as Jiri Kylian, George Balanchine, Frederick Ashton, Twlya Tharp, Dwight Rhoden and Justin Peck. He also studied and taught Ballroom dance under Francisco Madrigal and Rachel Uneburg.

Jazz

Saturday, October 4 • 1:00 - 2:30 PM

  • Ages 8 - 18

Melanie Swihart will lead an energetic jazz workshop for youth dancers of all skill levels. Drawing from her extensive performance and teaching background, she will guide participants through fundamental jazz techniques, including isolations, syncopated rhythms, and dynamic movement qualities. Her inclusive approach ensures both beginners and experienced dancers can explore the expressive freedom and musicality that define jazz dance. This engaging workshop will inspire individual expression while building strong technical foundations.

Dance and performing artist Melanie Swihart holds a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology and Dance from Ball State University and a Master of Fine Arts from The University of Iowa. Throughout her career, she has performed locally, regionally, and internationally with groups including SCRAP Performance Group, DoubleTake Dance Co., and ANAHATA, while training under renowned choreographers such as Bill Evans, David Hochoy, and Dave Grenke. She is certified in the Mind Body Dancer® curriculum and completed 400 hours of Yoga Alliance compliant training, having taught at prestigious venues like Steps on Broadway and Dance New Amsterdam. Melanie currently serves as an Instructor of Dance at Ball State University and strengthens community ties through choreography and performance in Atlanta and Indianapolis. Her extensive teaching experience also includes positions at The University of Iowa, Agnes Scott College, and Purdue University.