OVERVIEW
Welcome to the Eden Conservatory, our pre-professional daytime program dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists, visionaries, and leaders. Here, young dancers, musicians, actors, and creators receive elite arts training interwoven with neuroscience, creativity research, and human development. Students are guided to cultivate discipline, innovation, and artistry while flourishing as whole human beings—grounded in purpose, creativity, and expression. We achieve excellence in arts education through a unique approach to teaching and learning. Our methodology encourages a nurturing, supporting and inspiring culture where students earn the confidence to propel themselves toward reaching their highest potential. Our faculty bring a wealth of life experience and professional perspective to our students. We advise, inspire and challenge our students as we prepare them to embark on successful careers and productive lives as artists, citizens and leaders. Candidate Conservatory students are focused and demonstrate commitment to a high academic standard and an unmatched reverence for honing their performing arts discipline. They are responsible and learn to manage their time wisely as they balance the rigor of academics with their arts training schedule. Our aim is for our students to graduate as well-rounded, responsible and enlightened young adults. Arts education teaches critical thinking, creative problem solving, flexibility, collaboration, confidence, resilience and so much more; these skills are critical for a successful post secondary experience, whether it be in the arts or another chosen field.
OUR FACULTY
Our dedicated faculty members are seasoned professionals who are deeply connected to the performing arts community in Sarasota, FL and beyond. With their guidance, students perfect their skills and develop a framework for understanding both their craft and the vital role that arts play in enriching cultures and strengthening communities.
Conservatory Faculty:
Melissa Dobbs, Director | Tap + Jazz
Caitlyn Healey, Piano and Voice
Dex Honea, Ballet
Christina Trainor, Music, Theater, Musical theater
Tracey Tucci, Ballet
OUR PAST
Melissa Dobbs, Founder and Director, has nearly three decades of experience developing performing arts programming for children and adults around the world. She has had the fortunate opportunity of teaching nearly 20,000 children, developing an accredited dance curriculum, coaching hundreds of business owners and performing arts educators and launching countless students into the field of the arts. She launched Washington DC’s first and only private school for the performing arts and successfully transitioned the organization into a thriving non-profit organization that continues to fulfill its mission in supporting and developing young artists.
Melissa’s programs and schools have always been on the forefront of holistic arts education based on the unique pedagogy derived from the theory of multiple intelligences of Howard Gardner, developmental neuroscience, child psychology, safe dance practice, quantum physics and a fierce passion for developing young artists into the best versions of themselves.
Her work has earned national recognition by Dance Teacher Magazine, The Washington Business Journal, The Washington Post and other national publications for her unique teaching style and high quality outcomes. Her students have gone on to to perform and study in many prestigious arenas such as Broadway, National Tours, Netflix, HBO, The Julliard School, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Washington Ballet, The American Academy of Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Houston Ballet, Carnegie Mellon University, New York Film Academy, Michigan State University, Cincinnati College of Music, The Berkley School of Music, Boston University, Harvard University, Pace University, Universal Ballet Academy, New York University, The Kirov Ballet, The Hartt School, Marymount University (New York), Ford’s Theater, Arena Stage, Mark Morris Dance Company, National Tours and many more.
OUR PRESENT
Future of Dance has established a solid foundation in Sarasota, Florida in the education space for young dancers and artists as well as a movement medicine space for adults. Melissa’s continued experience as a mother, teacher and community member along with her research in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, the creative process, human development and quantum physics has guided an even more forward thinking approach to the field of arts education. The unfolding and allowing of the creative process of the young artist is the key. This can only be accomplished through a carefully crafted process, guided by leaders who are enlightened and aware of these principles, and in a safe, nurturing and loving environment. We are blessed to have likeminded teachers working in our organization to accomplish these goals!
LAUNCHING SEPTEMBER 2025
Future of Dance is launching a one-of-a-kind performing arts conservatory for middle and high school students in the Fall of 2025. This program will be our creative spark in the next stage of our greater vision. This program is by audition only and is geared toward young artists who have a calling and dedication to develop and cultivate their creative gifts. Students will receive a well-rounded arts education in dance (classical ballet, modern, tap and jazz), music (group chorus, private piano and voice lessons) and theater (acting and musical theater), as well as other creative opportunities that stimulate their minds and hearts toward mastering the principles of innovation and implementation.Students are required to enroll in their own academic program. Academic support can be arranged and provided on site, as necessary.
CONSERVATORY SCHEDULE
Junior Conservatory
Monday
9:30-10:30 am Yoga (optional)
10:30-11:45 pm Ballet
12:00-1:15 pm Theater
1:15-2:30 pm Jazz
Wednesday
9:30-10:30 am Composition (optional)
10:30-11:45 pm Ballet/Character
12:00-1:15 pm Musical Theater
1:15-2:30 pm Tap
Friday
9:30-10:30 am Yoga (optional)
10:30-11:45 pm Ballet
12:00-1:15 pm Chorale/Music Theory
1:15-2:30 pm Pathways/Life Skills
Senior Conservatory
Monday
9:30-10:30 am Yoga (optional)
12:00-1:15 pm Theater
1:15-2:30 pm Jazz
2:30-4:00 pm Ballet
Wednesday
9:30-10:30 am Composition (optional)
12:00-1:15 pm Musical Theater
1:15-2:30 pm Tap
2:30-4:00 pm Character
Friday
9:30-10:30 am Yoga (optional)
12:00-1:15 pm Chorale/Music Theory
1:15-2:30 pm Pathways/Life Skills
2:30-4:00 pm Ballet
CONSERVATORY TUITION
☐ Junior Conservatory (11.25 hours/week) $5,880
☐ Senior Conservatory (12 hours/week) $6,060
Your PEP Step up for Students Scholarship funds can be applied to this program.
CONSERVATORY AUDITIONS
The Conservatory is by audition only. If you are interested in auditioning for the Conservatory, please email us at melissa@futureofdance.org for more information.