Connections Week Schedule
October 21:
2:00pm - 2:45pm:
Northern Illinois University Masterclass with Sarita Smith Childs
3:00pm - 3:45pm:
Peabody Masterclass with Diedre Dawkins
4:00pm - 5:00pm:
Open Performance Tech/Run (Dance Studios)
7:00pm - 9:00pm:
Senior Solo Showcase, All Welcome (Dance Studios)
October 22:
2:00pm - 2:50pm:
Illinois State University Masterclass with Laina Reese
3:00pm - 3:50pm:
American Musical and Dramatic Academy Masterclass with Samantha Tennant
4:00pm - 5:00pm:
Open Performance Tech/Run (Dance Studios)
October 23:
3:00pm - 3:50pm:
Loyola University Masterclass with Deborah Goodman
October 24:
2:00pm - 3:20pm:
Hiplet Ballerinas Masterclass, Juniors only
October 25:
2:00pm - 3:20pm:
Northern Illinois University with Rich Grund
3:30pm - 5:00pm:
Alabama State with Rodni Williams
Scholar-Artists: Class of 2025
Conservatory Leadership
Tracey Franklin is an influential ChiArts leader who has showcased her skill set in both leadership and teaching artist roles for the past ten years.
Ms. Franklin is a native of Chicago and began her training at the age of 16 at Joseph Holmes Dance Theater. In 1999, Ms. Franklin graduated from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Certificate Program. In 2000, Ms. Franklin was a company member of Dallas Black Dance Theater for four years. In 2004, she returned to Chicago as a company member with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater for 12 years. Ms. Franklin was the Dance Education Director for three years for Deeply Rooted Dance Theater. In 2014, she began her journey as a teaching artist in the Dance Conservatory at ChiArts. For the past nine years Ms. Franklin has spent five of those years as the assistant to the department head, and one year as the assistant Dean of Students. In August of 2023, Ms. Franklin became the Dance Conservatory Head.