“It is a chance to connect with dance on a regional and national level, giving the director and dancers opportunities and resources beyond their local community. RDA membership makes us part of a family of artists working to make the world a better place.”

CYNTHIA CREWS, Artistic Director of Lawrence Ballet Theatre

“It pushes me to strive for a higher standard of dance within my company and school. It is a chance to connect with similar organizations beyond the confines of the local community and to extend broader opportunities to my dancers.”

JIM McEWAN, Artistic Director of Greater Lansing Ballet

“RDA is a great experience to meet new dance friends and take classes from great teachers. It is a very safe environment where you can be yourself."

KAYLA H., Dancer with Forum Dance Theatre

“To me, being a part of RDA is gaining opportunities to improve myself as a dancer and person. It means working towards becoming more well-rounded and trying out different styles that I have never tried before.”

ELLA R., Dancer with Dance Wisconsin

“Being a part of RDA means representing the dance community in a positive way and having access to performances and classes that would otherwise not be available to me.”

KATHERINE B., Dancer with Greater Lansing Ballet

“RDA means being a member of the larger dance community. It means that I am able to meet others who share my passion for dance, take classes from accomplished dancers, and have the opportunity for receiving scholarships to further my dance abilities.”

YVIE G., Dancer with Forum Dance Theatre

“Participating in RDA Festivals has been a very positive experience for our company. The dancers enjoy the atmosphere of community over competition and eagerly look forward to performing for their peers each year. Directors and parents highly value the onsite college recruiter and scholarship programing and everyone benefits from the opportunity to network within the wider world of pre-professional dance education.”

STEPHANIE HESTON, Artistic Director of Kansas Ballet

“In my eyes, being a part of Regional Dance America means you are a part of a much larger community of dancers than you'd normally realize. Being part of RDA (as a dancer) means getting the opportunity to witness and experience amazing performances, take professional-level classes with confounding instructors, and meet/dance with some incredible people that you may have never met before.”

KAYLEE C., Dancer with Greater Lansing Ballet

“Being a part of RDA connects me in the best way to fellow people who share the same passion, but I would never have met before. It’s amazing to be able to take classes with dancers from all over the country. It means so much to me to be taught by incredible teachers, perform in front of and dance with incredible dancers, and have the chance to learn about the dance opportunities that lie ahead. RDA is something truly special and there’s nothing else like being a part of it.”

REESE L., Dancer with Dance Wisconsin

“I find that having the opportunity to be a part of RDA is an amazing experience for my dance career. RDA allows me the possibility to learn from new teachers and interact with students from companies all over the Midwest. The festival helps me grow as a dancer as I appreciate those around me and the support we feed each other to become stronger dancers together.”

SASHA P., Dancer with Eisenhower Dance Detroit Youth Ensemble