LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER

A higher standard of training.

Sarah Rose Glavin, Founder and Artistic Director

y early days began in both gymnastics and dance, where I first discovered a love for movement and precision. As high school student, I earned a spot on Varsity Poms my

Freshman year at Loyola Academy, and soon transitioned fully into competitive dance. I trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop and tap, and fell deeply in love with both the artistry and athleticism of my craft.

I began student teaching at just sixteen years old, realizing early on that helping others find their voice through movement was something I was meant to do.

I went on to study at Miami University, earning degrees in Spanish Linguistics and Public Health, with minors in Business Entrepreneurship and Nutrition. Even while immersed in academics, dance remained central to my life. I continued teaching at my home studio during breaks and performed year-round with the Miami University Hip Hop Crew.

After graduating, I had the privilege of pursuing professional opportunities as both a dancer and actress, appearing in television roles on platforms including MSNBC and Netflix.

In 2017, my life took an unexpected turn. I was told I would need extensive abdominal surgery and was diagnosed with a rare genetic connective tissue disorder: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Type III. This condition causes widespread collagen deficiency, joint laxity, and instability throughout the body. Suddenly, years of unexplained pain, frequent injuries, and recurring dislocations made sense—symptoms I had long dismissed as “the cost of being a dancer.”

Pain and dance often go hand in hand. Every dancer understands that narrative. But my diagnosis forced me to question everything I thought I knew about how this industry treats dancers’ bodies—and what we accept as normal.

Excellence and well being must coexist.

Returning to dance after my diagnosis required compassion, courage, and a complete rebuilding of my relationship with movement. Yes, I live with a chronic illness—but that does not make me broken or weak. I do not compromise; I elevate my self-care. Dance is how I stay strong, grounded, and resilient.

These experiences fundamentally shaped the way I teach.

True training is built for longevity, not burnout.

My goal is not simply to produce technically capable dancers—it is to protect their bodies, nurture their artistry, and prepare them for a lifetime of movement. True training is not about shortcuts or pushing past limits at the expense of health; it is about longevity, respect, and the belief that excellence and well-being must coexist.

Do I expect beautiful lines and powerful extensions from my dancers? Absolutely. But never through outdated or damaging techniques, and never at the expense of their bodies. There are smarter, safer, and more effective ways to achieve even greater results—and I am deeply committed to continually seeking and implementing the best methods available.

Over the past five years, I’ve had the honor of training young dancers into nationally recognized athletes, helping them reach their highest potential while preserving integrity, creativity, and heart.

My students are at the center of my life. I grow to love each one deeply, and it matters to me that they feel truly seen. Childhood is brief but profoundly formative, and part of my responsibility is to ensure that my dancers feel heard, valued, and respected.

I believe we teach respect by modeling it—respect for the craft, for one another, and for the dancers themselves. When that foundation exists, students learn to trust, to explore freely, to face challenges with grace, and to rise toward true excellence.

Every dancer deserves to feel seen.

My vision for Glavin Dance is a community built on respect, responsibility, love, and uncompromising excellence.

To me, dance has always been more than movement—it is a way of coming home to yourself. That sense of home is where this next chapter begins.

My greatest hope is that every student who walks through our doors feels that—and leaves not only a stronger dancer, but a more confident, grounded, and inspired human being.

With love,

Sarah Rose Glavin

Founder, Artistic Director