"Built by Us. For Us. Together We Rise."
I LOVE DANCE PRESENTS
2027
NATIONAL BLACK DANCE STUDIO CONVENTION
& FESTIVAL
"Where Legacy Meets Movement"
July 16 – 21, 2027
New Orleans, Louisiana
Six Days · One Community · Infinite Excellence
Welcome Home
Root Deep, Rise Higher
On behalf of the ILD — I Love Dance — family, we invite you to the inaugural National Black Dance Studio
Convention & Festival. This is more than an event. This is a homecoming.
We gather to celebrate the brilliance, resilience, and artistry of Black dance culture. To empower studio owners, elevate teachers, ignite dancers, and honor the community that has always moved the world. From the sacred rhythms of the African diaspora to the innovation of urban movement — we are the originators, the cultivators, the standard.
New Orleans — the birthplace of jazz, second lines, and movement as resistance — is where we plant our flag. Because this city understands: dance is not just art. It is language. It is liberation. It is legacy.
"
This is not just a convention — it is a homecoming.
FOUR TRACKS OF EXPERIENCES
STUDIO OWNERS
Share the amazing things customers are saying about your business. Double click, or click Edit Text to make it yours.
DANCERS
Share the amazing things customers are saying about your business. Double click, or click Edit Text to make it yours.
TEACHERS & CHOREOGRAPHERS
Share the amazing things customers are saying about your business. Double click, or click Edit Text to make it yours.
PARENTS
Share the amazing things customers are saying about your business. Double click, or click Edit Text to make it yours.
STUDIO OWNERS
Build the Empire You Were Called to Lead
This track covers the full business ecosystem of running a dance studio — from revenue models and hiring systems to marketing strategy, legal protection, and brand identity. You'll leave with a done-with-you action plan, a trusted network of peers, and the clarity to execute like the CEO you already are.
DANCERS
(Ages 3 - 19)
Move in Your Power. Dance in Your Truth.
This track was built with one belief at its center: every young Black dancer deserves to be trained with excellence, seen with intention, and celebrated without condition. Dancers ages 3–19 will train across multiple genres — from African Diaspora and Afrobeats to Ballet, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, and beyond — all taught by world-class instructors who understand the unique journey of the Black dance artist.
TEACHERS & CHOREOGRAPHERS
Elevate Your Craft. Transform the Culture.
This track was built with one belief at its center: every young Black dancer deserves to be trained with excellence, seen with intention, and celebrated without condition. Dancers ages 3–19 will train across multiple genres — from African Diaspora and Afrobeats to Ballet, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, and beyond — all taught by world-class instructors who understand the unique journey of the Black dance artist.
PARENTS
Your Support Is the Foundation. Learn the Ropes.
The Parent Track honors your sacrifice and equips you with everything you need to be the most informed, empowered, and effective support system for your dance artist. hese sessions were designed to give you real tools, real conversations, and real community with other parents who are navigating this journey alongside you. From understanding the dance industry to managing finances, advocating in competitive spaces, and supporting your child's mental and emotional health — you will leave with a new language for what your family is doing and why it matters.
The Spirit of New Orleans
Cultural Celebration
Second Line Parade
Experience the iconic New Orleans second line tradition — brass bands, parasols, and pure joy through the streets.
Live PERFORMANCES
World-class live performances honoring the musical traditions born in the very soil beneath our feet.
Black-Owned Vendors
Shop, support, and celebrate Black-owned businesses in our curated ILD Marketplace throughout the festival.
Soul Food & Local Cuisine
Savor the flavors of New Orleans — gumbo, jambalaya, beignets, and more. Because nourishing the body is part of nourishing the soul. Experience the culinary traditions that make this city a global destination.