music team
At ROOTS Academy, we don’t just offer music lessons; we provide a transformative experience guided by our dedicated music mentors.
meet the music team
Music Admin
Music mentors
Teaching isn’t just about learning techniques. Our students are led by passionate and well-trained professionals who recognize their greater role in students’ lives. To refine your search for a music mentor, select your desired instrument from the options below.
Our philosophy
Our mentors play a crucial role in shaping not just musicians but well-rounded individuals equipped with a growth mindset, character, determination, confidence, and grit – skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
THE ROOTS WAY
Our mission is to train & develop musicians and dancers through leadership that inspires, serves and challenges everyone to give their best. We believe passionately in the power of the arts to impact lives and inspire creativity for the benefit of the community and the world.
mindset
matters
(How we Think)
We believe a healthy mindset affects how we show up in and outside the studio.
excellence
matters
(What we Do)
We believe excellence comes when defining & preparing for success is matched with discipline & passion.
people
matter
(How we Act)
We believe a healthy mindset affects how we show up in and outside the studio.
TRUSTED BY…
testimonials
Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what some of our families have to say about their ROOTS experience.
5 Stars!! Roots Academy is the place to be for dance, music or theatre training. The staff is exceptionally caring while simultaneously focused on advancing the talents and passions of your kiddos. My kids rave about it! Great communication, culture and camaraderie.
My daughter has been taking dance classes at Roots for 6 years. We love the positive environment, and the amazing dance teachers! It is truly our home away from home!
My daughter is in her eighth season dancing at Roots. We chose Roots because we wanted high-quality instruction in a balanced environment, and Roots has consistently delivered on those goals. She started with recreational classes and now dances in the competitive company. Over the years, her technical abilities have steadily improved, thanks to the many opportunities offered across varied dance genres.
She has gained exposure to ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, ballroom, musical theatre, lyrical, and numerous “fusion” styles I didn’t even know existed. She’s also had the chance to perform solo and small-group routines, as well as large production numbers. The mentoring team is exceptionally talented, and they enhance their program by bringing in guest teachers for some company classes.
While you may find other studios with stronger technical programs in specific genres, it’s hard to find a more well-rounded program that also excels in parent communication and organization. The staff emphasizes individual development at each dancer’s pace while maintaining a high standard of overall program quality.
The dance director, company manager, and entire administrative team are not only skilled professionals—they’re genuinely great people. You may find more competitive studios, but in our experience, Roots offers the best balance of technical excellence, competition opportunities, and individualized care.
She has gained exposure to ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, ballroom, musical theatre, lyrical, and numerous “fusion” styles I didn’t even know existed. She’s also had the chance to perform solo and small-group routines, as well as large production numbers. The mentoring team is exceptionally talented, and they enhance their program by bringing in guest teachers for some company classes.
While you may find other studios with stronger technical programs in specific genres, it’s hard to find a more well-rounded program that also excels in parent communication and organization. The staff emphasizes individual development at each dancer’s pace while maintaining a high standard of overall program quality.
The dance director, company manager, and entire administrative team are not only skilled professionals—they’re genuinely great people. You may find more competitive studios, but in our experience, Roots offers the best balance of technical excellence, competition opportunities, and individualized care.
We love Roots Academy! All people who work in Roots are very professional, knowledgeable, skillful, patient, energetic and fun to work with and learn from. I highly recommend this place.
My daughter has been taking voice lessons at Roots for about a month, and she loves it! Rachel is great with her and her confidence is growing! Every aspect of Roots' operation is top notch, from their facility to their scheduling software, which makes it super easy to manage your account and rescheduling lessons, if necessary. I highly recommend!
My two daughters have danced at Roots for 5 years now, and it feels like a second home! This is a very special place. Roots has taught my girls incredible dance skills and technique over the years, but maybe more importantly, my girls have also learned so much from the mentors about having a growth mindset, being bold and creative and being a great teammate. They’ve been encouraged and inspired. We love Roots!
Roots is truly our home away from home. From the first time we walked into Roots, our daughter loved it! Everyone has been so gracious and kind and is invested in the growth and wellbeing of each child.
We have been part of the Roots community for several years now, and I can honestly say it has been one of the best decisions we’ve made for our children. My twins are involved in musical theater and hip hop, and they also practice drums on the music side of the studio—something so special and unique to Roots. My daughter Giada has danced competitively here for the last five seasons, growing not only as a dancer but as a confident, disciplined, and joyful young person.
What first got us in the door was Ms. Liza’s bright, beautiful, beaming smile and the warm, welcoming tour she gave us. From the very first moment, we felt seen, valued, and excited to belong. What has kept us here year after year is the incredible staff and the uplifting, encouraging community they cultivate. The teachers genuinely care about each child’s growth—artistically and personally—and they lead with positivity, kindness, and high standards.
Roots is more than just a dance studio. It’s a place where kids are encouraged to work hard, support one another, and shine as their authentic selves. We are so grateful for the friendships, mentorship, and confidence our daughters have gained here. If you’re looking for a studio that nurtures talent while building character and community, Roots Dance Academy is truly something special. 💛
What first got us in the door was Ms. Liza’s bright, beautiful, beaming smile and the warm, welcoming tour she gave us. From the very first moment, we felt seen, valued, and excited to belong. What has kept us here year after year is the incredible staff and the uplifting, encouraging community they cultivate. The teachers genuinely care about each child’s growth—artistically and personally—and they lead with positivity, kindness, and high standards.
Roots is more than just a dance studio. It’s a place where kids are encouraged to work hard, support one another, and shine as their authentic selves. We are so grateful for the friendships, mentorship, and confidence our daughters have gained here. If you’re looking for a studio that nurtures talent while building character and community, Roots Dance Academy is truly something special. 💛
ROOTS is such a wonderful dance studio! The staff is always friendly, the admin team is unbelievably organized and helpful, my daughters have made amazing friends, and grown so much as dancers and as people. The mentors are incredible and teach more than just dance skills, they are encouraging and teach so many life skills too. We’re very grateful to be part of this community!
RMAFEST2023 was a hit. The kids are so talented and mentors/teachers are awesome!
Our experience at Roots Dance Academy has been great! We moved from LA three years ago and my daughter has been on Roots company for two years. I have nothing but nice things to say about the families that we interact with multiple times a week! The studio is super organized and the teachers have been so nurturing yet challenging. I see the growth in my daughter not only as a dancer but as a wonderful person.
Roots has truly become a second home for our daughter over the past five years. While their dance instruction is exceptional, their whole-human posture is what makes this place unmatchable. The mentors see these kids not only as dancers but as developing people who will one day leave the dance studio and head out into the world having gained deep practice in developing attributes like perseverance, consistency, attention to detail, focus, kindness, and care for themselves and those around them. I am very grateful for all that our daughter has and continues to learn and experience each and every week at Roots.
Roots is fabulous! Our daughter has been dancing here for over 3 years now and she has grown so much as a dancer and performer and person!!! We are so thankful that we found Roots when we did. Could not recommend it more!!!
Our daughter has been attending Roots for several years. She has participated in dance for several years, and also did voice classes for a few years. While our daughter has Muscular Dystrophy, Roots mentors and leaders have always been very accommodating and inclusive of her special needs and abilities. She always felt welcome and cared for at Roots. As parents, we always knew that our daughter was at a safe and trusted environment at Roots. Thank you so much! Roots is a fantastic well run inclusive organization.
Literally magical. From the time our daughter walked through the door for a single class offered on a Saturday morning she was ready to call Roots her dance home. What impressed her most was the enthusiastic and encouraging group of girls already attending Roots and the mentors who challenge and correct with kindness. Our daughter arrived as a ten-year-old and will graduate from high school this year with a community she will carry with her through life. A just right balance of competition and learning, striving and growing. As a mom of four I always say Roots is my favorite extra-curricular any of my children ever participated in. I also have made cherished friends along the way who made the seasons all the richer. Highly recommend!
My daughter has danced at ROOTS for 6 years now. She loves dancing here! It is truly her home away from home. The mentors are very knowledgeable, highly skilled, and creative. Most importantly though, they care deeply for the kids. She has made some of her best friends at ROOTS as well. They bring out the best in each other because of the environment that the mentors and staff have created and fostered.
My daughter found her place, the place where she feels most her. The theatre program @ Roots is amazing! The mentors, directors, all pour so much of their heart, soul, & sweat into what they do. I highly recommend Roots!
Amazing management and top-tier mentors combined with talented youth equals something amazing in the making! Exit/In, Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 7 pm. Tickets available here.
Dave is fantastic at Roots! Extremely nice guy and works really well with my son
My daughter LOVES roots! We had a great first semester at roots!
As a dance dad, I can honestly say Roots Academy has become a second home for my girls. They run into the studio with huge smiles every time, and that alone tells me everything I need to know.
The mentors here are truly something special. They’re not just teaching choreography—they’re teaching confidence, resilience, and a real growth mindset. My girls are learning how to push themselves, try new things, and believe in their own potential, both on and off the dance floor.
The community at Roots is another huge part of why we love it. The families, the staff, the kids—everyone is welcoming and supportive. It feels like being part of a group that genuinely wants to see every dancer succeed.
If you’re looking for a place where your kids will be encouraged, challenged, and surrounded by people who care, Roots Academy is the real deal. My girls couldn’t imagine dancing anywhere else.
The mentors here are truly something special. They’re not just teaching choreography—they’re teaching confidence, resilience, and a real growth mindset. My girls are learning how to push themselves, try new things, and believe in their own potential, both on and off the dance floor.
The community at Roots is another huge part of why we love it. The families, the staff, the kids—everyone is welcoming and supportive. It feels like being part of a group that genuinely wants to see every dancer succeed.
If you’re looking for a place where your kids will be encouraged, challenged, and surrounded by people who care, Roots Academy is the real deal. My girls couldn’t imagine dancing anywhere else.
James Zipfel is my violin teacher and he is amazing! I had a bad experience with a prior teacher 10yrs ago which caused me to stop playing. James has definitely redeemed that experience and I’m excited to grow. I would recommend James for anyone who is looking to learn violin.
Amazing mentors and staff. They care about the whole child and there is nothing like the community of families at Roots! Can’t recommend enough for a welcoming, encouraging studio that is focused on excellence as well!
Roots Dance Studio has been such a gift to our family. Over the past four seasons, my daughter has grown tremendously not only in her dance and music skills, but in her confidence, resilience, and mindset. From piano lessons to company rehearsals, her mentors have encouraged curiosity, exposed her to different styles of the arts, and helped her believe in herself.
What makes Roots truly special is the community. The dancers are united in a mission bigger than themselves, and the staff works tirelessly to create a positive, supportive environment where every student feels they belong. The focus on The Roots Way—mindset, excellence, and people matter—shines through in every class. Mentors model kindness, discipline, and encouragement. Families are wow’d not only by the performances, but by the joy and sense of “I can do this” that students carry home.
Roots is more than a studio. It’s a place where kids grow as artists and as people, and where families feel part of something extraordinary. We are so grateful to be part of this community!
What makes Roots truly special is the community. The dancers are united in a mission bigger than themselves, and the staff works tirelessly to create a positive, supportive environment where every student feels they belong. The focus on The Roots Way—mindset, excellence, and people matter—shines through in every class. Mentors model kindness, discipline, and encouragement. Families are wow’d not only by the performances, but by the joy and sense of “I can do this” that students carry home.
Roots is more than a studio. It’s a place where kids grow as artists and as people, and where families feel part of something extraordinary. We are so grateful to be part of this community!
Jen and her team are a great group of people. They do awesome work. Definitely recommend!
My daughter has been dancing at Roots Dance Academy for the past 4 years, and I truly can’t say enough good things about this place. As a mom, it means the world to see my 12-year-old not only grow as a dancer, but also gain confidence, resilience, and character.
The mentors at Roots genuinely invest in each child—on and off the dance floor. They care deeply and create an environment that feels like family. There’s a strong sense of community among the parents as well, and it’s clear that the focus goes far beyond just choreography or technique.
Roots has helped shape my daughter in the best way, and we’re so grateful to be part of such a supportive and inspiring studio.
The mentors at Roots genuinely invest in each child—on and off the dance floor. They care deeply and create an environment that feels like family. There’s a strong sense of community among the parents as well, and it’s clear that the focus goes far beyond just choreography or technique.
Roots has helped shape my daughter in the best way, and we’re so grateful to be part of such a supportive and inspiring studio.
An amazing experience for our kids! We’ve had all 4 of our kids at roots throughout the past 10 years, and the staff and programs are absolutely amazing!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
we are beyond pleased with roots academy. literally everything about this place is top-notch. every single person we’ve interacted with is kind, uplifting, and genuinely cares about the kids. we’ve done piano, dance, and the theater program — and all three have been incredible experiences. my kids are learning so much, but more importantly, they’re having fun and gaining confidence. we can’t recommend roots enough!
we are beyond pleased with roots academy. literally everything about this place is top-notch. every single person we’ve interacted with is kind, uplifting, and genuinely cares about the kids. we’ve done piano, dance, and the theater program — and all three have been incredible experiences. my kids are learning so much, but more importantly, they’re having fun and gaining confidence. we can’t recommend roots enough!
Awesome place for young people, of all ages, to learn music.
My daughter and I love Roots. Cozy, professional, and safe place for your child to learn dance or music!
our guarantee
We are so confident you're going to love your experience at ROOTS Academy that we guarantee your satisfaction for the first 30 days (four classes or lessons), or your money back.
Frequently Asked Questions
questions?
If you have any questions about our program, please don’t hesitate to call, text or email us. We’re here to help you Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm CST.
EMILY LINDSEY – Music Director
JOSH ASHLEY – Systems & Strategy Manager
MARTA PALOMBO – Music Operations Coordinator
Kinsey Overdeer – Scheduling Coordinator
EMILY LINDSEY
Music Director
JOSH ASHLEY
Music Operations Manager
ALEXYS HALSTENSGARD
Music Operations Coordinator
LORI KAIRDOLF
Schedule & Billing Coordinator
