Be featured in the book Dance: Nashville
and support the mission of Rejoice School of Ballet to expand access to dance education throughout Nashville
Dance isn't just what you do. It's who you are.
Help spread the gift of dance in our community by supporting the mission of Rejoice School of Ballet
while celebrating the Nashville Dance Community and the City of Nashville through the Dance: Nashville Book Project
Dance isn't just what you do. It's who you are.
Supporting the mission of Rejoice School of Ballet
while celebrating the Nashville Dance Community and the City of Nashville through the Dance: Nashville Book Project
Help spread the gift of dance in our community by supporting the mission of Rejoice School of Ballet
while celebrating the Nashville Dance Community and the City of Nashville through the Dance: Nashville Book Project
How to Participate and be Featured in the Book
The book will feature local dancers (ages 13 and up) photographed in dance poses throughout the city. We are looking for all styles of dance from ballerinas en pointe to hip hop and everything in between and want to feature dancers from studios throughout Nashville and the surrounding areas. Professional dancers, dance teachers, and dancers who are from Nashville but currently away from home for college are also encouraged to apply.
To be considered for the book click the Apply Now button below and complete the application. Once we have received and reviewed your application we will be in touch over the phone to learn more about your dancer and answer any additional questions you may have about the project.
There will be a $150 participation fee for each dancer selected to be featured which will include a full-page spread in the book. 100% of the participation fees for the book will be donated to Rejoice School of Ballet to support their ongoing efforts to make dance education more accessible in Nashville community.
Why Dance?
As a dancer, you know your life is made more full because of dance. Dance supports physical, mental, emotional, and social wellness and development at every age.
Likely the most obvious, the physical wellness benefits of dance include improved cardiovascular health as well as increased strength, flexibility, and balance and can even help improve posture.
The mental wellness benefits of dance include improved memory skills from learning and memorizing choreography as well as improved organizational skills and increased creativity.
Any dancer will tell you that dancing is a natural mood booster and dance has many benefits for their emotional wellness from relieving depression symptoms to lowering anxiety.
Additionally, dance promotes social development by providing opportunities to build friendships within class and learning how to work and perform together on stage.
By supporting the mission of Rejoice School of Ballet through this book project, more children in Nashville will be able to receive the benefits of dance.
About Rejoice School of Ballet
Founded by Patricia Cross, Rejoice School of Ballet has been providing exceptional dance training to Nashville's youth, no matter their ability to pay, for nearly 25 years, making high-quality ballet training accessible and affordable for all families. Rejoice is dedicated to breaking down financial barriers and addressing historical inequities in ballet, creating an inclusive and uplifting environment rooted in Christian principles.
The professional faculty mentors and nurtures each student, empowering them to achieve their personal and professional goals. Whether or not their future lies in ballet, the training and life skills gained at Rejoice help students overcome challenges and succeed in all their endeavors.
Powered by the support of partners, funders, and donors, Rejoice School of Ballet provides excellent dance training to more than 200 students each year. Additionally, Rejoice provides opportunities for families to experience dance, often for the first time, through our Read to Me, Dance With Me program and Youth Ensemble performances. Together, we are fostering the next generation of artists and changing the dance landscape in Nashville.
“A dance education teaches students much more than how to become good dancers... Through dance children learn discipline, teamwork, goal setting, a healthy work ethic, the benefits of exercise and good nutrition and that they can excel at whatever they set their mind to.”
— Patricia Cross, Rejoice Founder
“A dance education teaches students much more than how to become good dancers... Through dance children learn discipline, teamwork, goal setting, a healthy work ethic, the benefits of exercise and good nutrition and that they can excel at whatever they set their mind to.”
— Patricia Cross, Rejoice Founder
About the Book
Dance: Nashville
Envisioned by local master photographer, Cate Connery Bury, Dance: Nashville is a book that will celebrate the dance community of Nashville and the city itself. Cate will photograph local dancers throughout the city at some of Nashville’s most famous landmarks as well as some less well-known hidden gems. 100% of the proceeds from creation and sale of the book will be donated to Rejoice School of Ballet to support their mission to bring dance education to more students throughout the city.
3 Simple Steps to Participate
1. Fill out the Application
2. If selected, we'll schedule a time to meet with Cate and plan your every aspect of your photo shoot
3. Enjoy the experience
3 Simple Steps to Participate
1. Fill out the Application
2. If selected, we'll schedule a time to meet with Cate and plan your every aspect of your photo shoot
3. Enjoy the experience
Meet the photographer...
What is the gift that dance has given to your family? What feelings fill your heart when you watch your dancer in class or on stage?
As a former dancer and current dance mom myself, I know too well the truth in Crystal Pite's statement, "Dance disappears almost at the moment of it's manifestation." All we have is the camera to capture and freeze the beautiful movement in time to be revisited over and over again. I still cherish the photos I have of myself dancing as well as those I have my children in dance.
I want each dancer that steps in front of my camera to know that I see their infinite value and worth. I want to the portrait experience to be a celebration of all the dancer has accomplished and their love of dance. It is my prayer that both during the photo shoot experience and in the finished portraits, they see that value and worth reflected back to them.
I can't wait to work with your dancer. ❤️
FAQs
What will the photoshoot be like?
If selected, we'll meet to plan out every aspect of your photoshoot including style of dance, wardrobe, location, and time of day. The time of day of your photoshoot will depend greatly on the location. Some locations will require sunrise or after dark while others only allow for mid-day on weekdays.
When do I pay the participation fee?
You don't pay anything until you are selected to be featured in the book. We'll take payment at the planning meeting.
I'm a mom with multiple kids in dance. Does each child need their own application and require a separate participation fee?
Yes. Each dancer needs to fill out their own application and if selected pay a separate application fee.
How will the photograph for the book be selected
You get to pick! Within a week of the photoshoot date, you'll come back into the studio to view the photographs and select your favorite
Is a copy of the book included in the participation fee.
No. $100 of the application fee will be donated to Rejoice. Books will be sold separately and can be preordered when you come in to select your the photograph that will be featured on your page.
What if I love my portraits and want to display them in my home?
We are a full service portrait studio specializing in finished photographic artwork ready to hang on the wall. We'll be happy to help you select your favorites and design a artwork perfect to display in your home.
Call 615-488-8352
Email: cate@cateconnerybury.com
Site: cateconnerybury.com