Cultivating Leadership in Young Dancers
More than Movers. They’re the Future!
As our industry keeps growing, evolving and changing, t’s easy to focus solely on talent, technique, and trophies. But at SOUL DE SOUL, we believe the true measure of a dancer isn’t just how high they can leap, but how deeply they can lead.
Why Leadership Matters in Dance
Cultivating leadership in young dancers is not just about preparing them for a stage. It's about preparing them for life. It’s about teaching them how to hold space, communicate with care, take initiative, and embody integrity in the studio, on the stage, and in every room they enter.
We’ve seen firsthand that the most powerful dancers are the ones who understand how to lead, not from ego, but from presence. Not by controlling the room, but by inspiring it.
Rising as Leaders, Not Just Performers | THE SOULELITE PROGRAM
On top of investing in modeling this inside our weekends it’s why we created our SOULELITE program, our leadership development program under the direction of Michaela Moore.
SOULELITE is designed to nurture the heart and leadership of the next generation of dancers. Through mentorship, hands-on training, and intentional education, dancers in the program learn:
How to assist in the classroom with professionalism and empathy
How to model excellence while still staying teachable
How to support peers while honoring their own growth
How to speak, self advocate, lead, and act in ways that reflect the values of soul-led leadership
SOULELITE members are more than helpers. They are future choreographers, educators, visionaries, and change-makers. They learn what it means to lead with humility, to be of service to their dance community, and to cultivate confidence that isn’t performative, but embodied.
Leadership isn’t reserved for a certain age or title. It’s a muscle we build with care, guidance, and opportunity. Through SOULELITE, we are proud to provide that opportunity, shaping dancers who will not only rise in their craft, but also rise as leaders in their communities and beyond.
The future of dance doesn’t just need talent. It needs soul ;)
With heart,
Mackenzie Martin
FOUNDER & CEO, SOUL DE SOUL
We invite you to join us on this journey. Stay connected with us by subscribing to our newsletter, following us on social media, or attending one of our events.