Initially started as part of my Senior Capstone Dance course, I conducted research over the course of two semesters and expanded on the findings in my years following my undergraduate education. A project that initially stemmed from an interest in how I could have learned what I learned in college earlier in my dance education- I was drawn to applying theories of culturally relevant pedagogy to the competitive dance education setting. I was interested in how through dance education we not only shape dancers but humans- so what are we teaching those humans through the values they learn in dance classes in a competitive environment? Through a survey administered to about 27,000 dance educators via a Facebook page titled the Dance Teacher Network I was able to assess current values and ways of teaching in the competitive dance industry and formed a framework for incorporating culturally relevant teaching into these studios.
 
*This research was selected for presentation at the 2019 National Dance Education Organization National Conference