Every Child Deserves To Learn The Art Of Dance
At Branches of Dance, we believe strong roots create powerful branches. Our Roots Before Branches Student Teacher Program is designed to grow the next generation of leaders by giving dancers hands-on opportunities to learn, lead, and inspire.
Students in this program gain much more than classroom experience—they develop confidence, leadership skills, organizational abilities, and professional knowledge that prepare them for both dance and life beyond the studio. They’ll work closely with our instructors, gain valuable teaching and administrative experience, and enjoy the fulfillment that comes with mentoring younger dancers.
Participation in this program also supports involvement in the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA), giving students the chance to earn scholarships, recognition for their leadership, academic achievement, and service within the dance community.
Our program is structured to meet students where they are and challenge them to grow through progressive stages:
Students interested in the Roots Before Branches Student Teacher Program should reach out directly to the studio to learn about costs, and begin the application process.
This program gives dancers the chance to plant their roots deeply in our studio family while branching out into leadership, mentorship, and growth opportunities that last a lifetime.
We’re proud to introduce this year’s Junior Instructors, leaders who have grown through our Roots Before Branches Student Teacher Program. With years of training, dedication, and mentorship from our Branches of Dance faculty, they are ready to step into the classroom with confidence and care. Under the guidance of our teaching staff, these talented dancers will share their knowledge, inspire younger students, and run their own classes throughout the season.
Meredith has been dancing since the age of 3, training in ballet, pointe, contemporary, modern, and jazz. For the past six years, she has trained at Branches of Dance, exploring competitions and performances with the team. Prior to becoming a Junior Instructor, Meredith spent many years as a student teacher, working alongside instructors in a variety of styles.
Juli has been passionate about dance since the age of 6 and has trained in multiple styles, including ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary. She began dancing on pointe at 13 and has worked diligently to grow not only as a dancer but also as a teacher and mentor. Over the past three years, Juli has student-taught classes for children ages 4 to 12 and has also worked as a substitute instructor, gaining hands-on experience leading a variety of dance classes.
In addition to traditional classes, she recently taught a Dance With Me session for toddlers as young as 1 and their moms, which ran for one month. This experience strengthened her ability to engage even the youngest dancers and create a welcoming, playful environment for both children and parents.
In 2024, Juli served as Assistant Choreographer for The Nutcracker at Branches of Dance, where she helped rehearse and stage scenes, supported younger dancers, and collaborated with the creative team to bring the performance to life.
As the oldest of six siblings, Juli has naturally developed strong leadership skills, patience, and a deep understanding of how to connect with children. As a Junior Instructor, she is excited to bring energy, creativity, and encouragement to every class. Her goal is to help young dancers build confidence, learn proper technique, and, most importantly, have fun while falling in love with dance.
Emma has been dancing at Branches of Dance for nine years, training in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, pointe, and musical theater. She has also been teaching for about three years and loves helping younger dancers grow and shine.
Outside of the studio, Emma is involved in student council, dance team, musicals, and more. Her favorite styles are jazz and ballet, and she is excited to continue sharing her love of dance with the Branches family.
Mackenna has been dancing for 14 years and has a huge passion for the art. She has trained at Branches of Dance for six years and has student-taught for five. Mackenna enjoys working with children, teaching them new skills, and encouraging their performance abilities and confidence.
She has taken education classes with RACC and will be furthering her education at Kutztown University in Elementary Education during the 2025–2026 school year. Mackenna excels in tap and hip hop but also enjoys jazz, contemporary, musical theater, and performance team. She has participated in multiple competitions as well as performances throughout the community.
Teaching is Mackenna’s greatest passion, and she loves building meaningful connections with her students.
