Who we are
The INnovate event was INspired by our mutual desire to foster a greater sense of community with dancers all over the Twin Cities and beyond. We all know what a robust and talented dance community we have here and we aspire to further that vision by gathering dancers in our area to focus on getting to know one another through dance performance, education, and service. From our experiences at other dance events and competitions, we find that feeling unified provides a richer experience for our dancers, teachers, and parents. The INnovate Dance event strives to bring dancers together in an INclusive environment and leave feeling INvigorated and INspired for their future dance journeys.
Co-Founder: Jennifer Tell
When Clair and I started brainstorming about creating a unique dance event, we both agreed that it should have a feeling of bringing dancers together to share the love of dance. We wanted to create a space where dancers could walk into and simply do what they love to do. Innovate is a place where dancers come to not only perform and learn, but to connect. Connect with other dancers, teachers, adjudicators, and most importantly, themselves. At Innovate, we dance together, learn together, and serve together for the good of others. I hope you can join us for an event and see what The Innovate Dance Event can bring to your dancers.
Co-Founder: Clair Anderson
I find myself consistently fueled by my passion to connect in this life. I enjoy connecting with new people and making new friends, but more importantly, I love to help others make meaningful connections that go beyond my reach to create new art and foster new possibilities. I truly believe that we are all more alike than different. We all get stronger when we pull together, lift each other up, and cheer each other on to greatness. To do this requires grace, courage, empathy and vulnerability. I don't aim to be perfect anymore, but rather to continue to reinvent and transform into a person that more closely aligns with these values. That is what compelled me to create INnovate with Jennifer.
Welcome! We are so pleased to work and connect with you on this journey.
Brene Brown, as always, sums it up for me perfectly:
“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”
““I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” ”
“INnovate was exactly the event we’ve been searching for. It was a full, well rounded learning experience that included master classes, inspirational speakers, service projects, and an opportunity to practice their competition dances before the season started. Our students received live feed back from the judges based on their needs. It was wonderful that there were no costumes involved, it made the students concentrate on the learning experience. More than that though, it was an atmosphere of embracing every dancer and every studio, that the world of dance extends beyond our studio walls. It was about helping each other, helping children from around the world, and making new friends that love dance too. I knew it was a great event, but what was more amazing was what happened after. The rehearsal class the following week was full of energy, excitement, and an eagerness to work through those judges comments. We had students that we’re excited to clean their dance. Students that are now more confident about their dancing and more confident in themselves. I would recommend bringing your dancers to INnovate. We will be coming back for sure.””
“Being a selected evaluator for the first season of INNOVATE was a special experience. I was honored when Jennifer and Clair asked me to partake. Growing up in a classically trained ballet school and with a family of professional modern dancers, I was very unfamiliar with the field of the competition dance. Competing for a score was an experience I never had. However, my junior and senior year of high school I attended Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. It was there that I befriended dancers with different training backgrounds, including competition dance. As a professional dance teacher I have gained an appreciation for a variety of dance training experiences as I have taught in competition studios and professional dance schools. That being said, regardless of your training background, one cannot deny the pressures that dance withholds. We have to look a certain way, be able to balance a variety of commitments, and continually practice our craft. That said, what I found so refreshing about Jennifer and Clair’s vision for INNOVATE was their passion in creating an opportunity for young dancers to show their work and receive positive, encouraging feedback from successful dance “elders” if you will. It is important for a dancer to feel supported as much as they feel challenged. In the professional world, we do not compete for points but we compete for opportunities to perform, choreograph, teach, etc. What prevents burn-out is a dancer recognizing their value and feeling supported. Further, INNOVATE created an event that brings together the community of dance that often creates more divide within itself.”
“I absolutely LOVED INnovate! Everything was really organized and easy to follow throughout the day. The staff was also very enthusiastic and helpful! It was a really wonderful experience to preform my solo in a non-competitive environment and still get great feedback. The motivational speaker and service projects were an awesome way to see old friends and meet new ones! I would absolutely recommend this event to anyone who enjoys preforming, wants great feedback, a chance to be inspired and to make new friends!”
“INnovate Dance Event is a step above the dance competition experience - mixing service projects, workshops and more, dancers who attend gain insight and feedback on the spot while filling their hearts with goodwill together. More of what our dance community needs! Thank you for welcoming our IPAC dancers, and having me as a highlighted guest speaker for the event, I learned so much from over 300 dancers in MPLS.”