For as long as Saskia Harmon can remember, dance has been at the heart of her life. She is honored to serve as the Dance Program Director at ROOTS Academy, where she combines her passion for dance, leadership, and mentorship to help students grow both on and off the stage. Originally from DeLand, Florida, just outside of Orlando, Saskia’s love for dance began at the age of three. With her mother serving as both a high school dance team coach and dance studio secretary, dance quickly became a family affair. At just nine years old, Saskia was selected to perform as a Kid of the Kingdom at Walt Disney World—an experience that ignited her passion for performing and inspired years of training, competitions, and dance conventions. After graduating from high school, Saskia attended the University of Tennessee, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre.

During her college years, she served as captain of the university’s nationally ranked dance team and traveled across the country as an instructor with Universal Dance Association, inspiring and educating young dancers nationwide. Following college, Saskia pursued a career as a professional makeup artist, working with brides, fashion shows, photo shoots, television, and special events. Helping others feel confident and beautiful became one of her greatest joys, and that passion for empowering others continues to shape the way she mentors dancers today. She later transitioned into the fitness industry, spending five years as Lead Teacher and Studio Manager at Pure Barre Brentwood. There, she cultivated a love for movement, wellness, and community while helping clients build strength and confidence. In 2018, she was honored as Best Barre Instructor by Nashville Fit Magazine. After the birth of her first daughter, Cadence, Saskia joined ROOTS Academy in 2015 as a mentor. What began as an opportunity to stay connected to dance quickly became a calling. In 2018, she stepped into the role of Dance Program Director, where she now leads the recreational and competitive dance programs, develops curriculum, mentors instructors, and partners with families to create an exceptional dance experience. She is now entering her ninth season as Dance Program Director and her eleventh season as part of the ROOTS family. With more than 20 years of teaching experience, Saskia has dedicated her career to helping dancers discover their potential both inside and outside the studio. She has coached numerous students who have gone on to dance for collegiate programs at the University of Tennessee, the University of Mississippi, the University of Alabama, the University of Central Florida, and Lindenwood University. While she takes great pride in those accomplishments, what she values most is building genuine relationships with her students.

She believes every dancer has a unique story and purpose, and she is passionate about helping each one discover confidence, embrace challenges, and pursue excellence in every area of life. For Saskia, dance is about so much more than technique or trophies. It is a vehicle for building character, confidence, resilience, discipline, and joy. Her mission is to create an environment where every dancer feels seen, challenged, encouraged, and inspired to become the best version of themselves. She hopes every student leaves her classroom not only as a stronger dancer, but as a more confident, compassionate, and courageous person. Saskia lives in Brentwood, Tennessee, with her husband, Peter, and their two daughters, Cadence and Holland. When she’s not in the studio, she loves spending time with her family, cheering on her daughters, and continuing to invest in the next generation of dancers, leaders, and young people pursuing their dreams.