The Power of Community in a Convention Model
The convention industry moves fast. . weekends blur into travel days, awards, choreography, and quick goodbyes — it’s easy to forget the deeper reason we gather: COMMUNITY.
At SOUL DE SOUL, we believe conventions can be more than a lineup of classes and competitions. They can be places of belonging. Of breakthroughs. Of connection that lingers long after the last award is given.
Our purpose is not just to offer training. We’re here to build a culture. One where every dancer, parent, teacher, and faculty member feels valued, seen, and part of something meaningful.
Redefining the Room
The standard model of convention rooms can often feel transactional, hundreds of dancers, one teacher. . . limited time. But when community is prioritized, even a packed ballroom can become intimate.
We know this first hand because we intentionally foster an atmosphere where dancers aren’t just numbers — they’re souls. Our faculty greet by name, recognize effort over perfection, and offer feedback that uplifts instead of critiques that diminish.
We slow down when we can. We look people in the eye. We ask meaningful questions. We create space for conversation. We create space for dancers to support each other, not just compete beside each other. That’s how the room becomes a community.
Beyond the Studio
Community isn’t confined to the classroom. At SDS, it extends into:
Faculty Showcase Feedback Sessions that empower dancers to grow holistically.
Conversations with parents and teachers that create alignment and shared understanding.
Spotlight opportunities that celebrate not just talent, but transformation.
Moments of shared silence, joy, or celebration that remind us we’re all in this together.
We gather to be moved, together; emotionally and artistically.
Why It Matters
When dancers feel like they belong, they dance differently. They open up. They take more risks. They lead with more joy and less fear.
When parents feel part of the journey, they advocate with more empathy.
When teachers feel honored, they pass that culture down to their studios.
And when community leads, competition can be switched for collaboration.
The SDS Difference
We’re proud to say that at SOUL DE SOUL, our community is our superpower. It’s what brings studios and dancers back year after year, not just for the steps they learn, but for how they feel when they’re here.
In every weekend, we’re not just creating better dancers. We’re creating fuller humans.
This is what dance is supposed to feel like: connected, alive, and soul-led.
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.