New Professional Development Initiative to Launch in San Diego, California, November 19–20, 2026

NEW YORK, NY – June 4, 2026 – HEAT Convention & Competition and Joffrey Ballet School  are proud to announce THE FORUM: A Symposium for the Integrity of Dance Education, a new two-day professional development experience taking place November 19–20, 2026, in San Diego, California.

Curated and directed by Angelica Stiskin and presented by HEAT in affiliation with Joffrey Ballet School, THE FORUM brings together studio owners, educators, choreographers, and dance leaders for thoughtful dialogue, collaborative learning, and practical reflection on the future of dance education.

Built upon a shared belief that dance education extends beyond technical training, THE FORUM will explore the values, responsibilities, and educational practices that shape the next generation of artists. Through keynote conversations, panel discussions, embodied learning experiences, and community engagement, attendees will examine topics including wellness, ethical pedagogy, representation, studio leadership, educational integrity, and the evolving role of competition within a dancer’s training journey.

The initiative marks an exciting expansion of the growing relationship between HEAT Convention & Competition and Joffrey Ballet School, connecting the convention community with a broader conversation about educational standards, studio leadership, and the responsibility of training environments that shape young artists.

At the center of the initiative is Angelica Stiskin, Artistic Director of Joffrey Ballet School’s Pre-Professional Trainee Program in the Jazz & Contemporary concentration, along with its flagship summer intensives in New York City. A Harvard University graduate with a Master’s in Education Leadership, Stiskin’s work bridges concert and commercial dance while advancing standards-based, reflective, and ethically grounded approaches to pre-professional training.

“THE FORUM grows directly out of my work in dance education, including the standards-based research I developed during my graduate studies at Harvard,” said Angelica Stiskin, Curator and Director of THE FORUM and Artistic Director of Joffrey Ballet School’s Pre-Professional Jazz & Contemporary Trainee Program. “For-profit studios are often the first schools young dancers enter, whether or not we name them that way. That means our responsibility as educators extends far beyond steps, awards, or performances. We are building learning environments that shape people and futures. My mission has always been to bridge the concert and commercial dance worlds without diminishing either, because today’s dancers are entering a field with a wide spectrum of possibilities. If we want to prepare them honestly, studio leaders and teachers need spaces where they can think critically about pedagogy, wellness, ethics, representation, competition, and professional readiness. My hope is that THE FORUM gives educators language, tools, and community to place education back at the center of dance training.”

For Joffrey Ballet School, this collaboration further expands opportunities to connect with educators, studio leaders, and dancers across the country while providing greater visibility into the school’s educational philosophy and year-round training programs. Through Angelica’s leadership and presence within the HEAT community, students and teachers alike will gain deeper exposure to one of the industry’s leading pre-professional training environments.

THE FORUM also reflects HEAT’s longstanding commitment to education, mentorship, and creating positive training experiences for dancers and educators alike. Founded by Kobi Rozenfeld and Jonathan Shamos, HEAT was built on the belief that dance is about more than steps and performances. Through its mission to Hear, Educate, Advocate, and Train, the organization continues to foster environments where dancers feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow both as artists and individuals.

“When we created HEAT, our goal was to build a community where dancers felt they belonged and where education remained at the center of everything we do,” said Kobi Rozenfeld, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of HEAT Convention & Competition. “THE FORUM is a natural extension of that mission. By bringing together passionate educators and leaders, we have an opportunity to strengthen our industry, support meaningful growth, and continue shaping the future of dance education in a positive and impactful way.”

Meg Paul, Dean of Joffrey Ballet School, added, “The future of dance depends not only on artistic excellence, but on educational excellence. Through THE FORUM, educators will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations that strengthen teaching practices, support healthy learning environments, and ultimately benefit the next generation of artists. We are proud to collaborate with HEAT and support Angelica’s vision for this important initiative.”

Topics explored throughout THE FORUM will include:

• The Studio as School — mission, leadership, curriculum, and educational responsibility
• The Whole Artist — wellness, injury prevention, mental health, and sustainable training
• Ethical Pedagogy — consent, boundaries, feedback, faculty culture, and safe practice
• Critical Culture — representation, belonging, access, and culturally responsive teaching
• Competition Reframed — competition as a tool for learning, reflection, and growth
• Future Practice — professional readiness, career pathways, and the evolving dance field

Additional faculty, panelists, registration details, and event programming will be announced in the coming months.

About HEAT Convention & Competition

HEAT Convention & Competition is dedicated to highlighting the artistry of dance through inspiring education, meaningful mentorship, and positive training experiences. Built upon the principles of Hearing, Educating, Advocating, and Training, HEAT provides dancers, educators, and studios with opportunities for artistic growth while fostering an environment of belonging, accessibility, and excellence.

Learn more: www.heatconvention.com

About Joffrey Ballet School

The Joffrey Ballet School is a renowned dance institution based in New York City. Dance visionaries Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino founded the school in 1953, offering a world-class training program that celebrates boundary-breaking performances and commitment to artistic excellence. The Joffrey Ballet School continues to shape the future of dance through innovative training programs that prepare students to confidently pursue a career in dance throughout the worlds of concert and commercial dance.

Learn more: www.joffreyballetschool.com

Press Inquiries
HEAT Convention & Competition
info@heatconvention.com

Joffrey Ballet School
Maria Zamri, marketing@joffreyballetschool.com