Ikolo Griffin - San Francisco Ballet
Simeon Den - Broadway
Derek Sakakura - Joffrey Ballet
Lindsi Dec - Pacific Northwest Ballet
Hannah Knorr - Ft. Wayne Ballet
Eric Ragan - Suzanne Farrell Ballet
Khamla Somphanh - ODC
Shelly Shoendienst - Founder Livermore School of Dance
To become your best,
work with the best.
For aspiring dancers seeking the professional edge
Our unique Video Evaluation & Feedback is incredibly valuable in preparing for performances, auditions, and competitions. Our mentors will give you the level of feedback that will let you improve at your ideal pace!
Support Dedicated Dancers on our Patreon Site!
If you have been a part of the dance community, you likely understand the value of dance mentorship. Your patronage will help a young dancer thrive in the art we all love so dearly!
Professional Dancers by Your Side
Creative Generations is a unique coaching and mentoring program designed for the benefit of young dancers who dedicate themselves to self-expression through movement and desire to become their best with guidance from lifelong, professional dancers. With the help and support of an incredible team of former principal dancers of several of the world’s foremost dance companies, this unique program was developed by Derek Sakakura, former Joffrey Dancer and Ballet Met principal. Our ethos is that every young dancer should have the opportunity to learn from mentors with integrity and the desire to help upcoming generations navigate the complexities of performing this beautiful art. A professional mentor to support training can be one of the most powerful assets in a dancer’s experience. Find your mentor today!
“Am I improving at the level I am capable of?" “Am I training in the best way for me?” “Why do I keep getting the same injuries?” “Who will understand me when I am struggling?” “What is it like to be a professional?” “Where should I go for Summer workshops to get into ____ company?” “How do I become a professional?” “Should I try to become a professional?” “Why is dance important to me?” These are some of the most important questions mentors can help dancers answer, and Creative Generations was created to connect dancers to mentors.
Alvin Ailey said, “Dance is for everybody. I believe that the dance came from the people and that it should always be delivered back to the people.” Creative Generations was created to support young dancers in their journeys because we want them to have the best possible relationship with dance and to let them know how much they matter.
Schedule Your Free Consultation with a
Professional Dancer Mentor
At Creative Generations, we strive to offer as many dancers as possible the opportunity to have a free, initial consultation with one of our experienced professional dancer mentors. This consultation serves as a valuable first step in understanding your dance goals and how we can support you in realizing your aspirations within the realm of dance.
To ensure that Creative Generations can provide individualized support for your dance journey, we ask that you to answer a few questions that will tell us about your dreams and goals in dance. Click on the “Find Your Mentor Button” above to schedule your first session! If you have questions, email us at cgdancementors@gmail.com, and we will reply within 1-5 business days. Bios
“My goal is to begin building bridges between generations, encouraging a sense of mutual support within our dance community, and enriching our already beautiful culture. ”
~ Derek Sakakura, Founder and mentor
Testimonials
“Derek is one of the most kind and influential teachers I’ve had over my 15 years of dancing. He helped me tremendously with my technique…breathing through the movement… as well as with my confidence as a dancer… there is a clear difference in my dancing before and after I started working with him. I now perform with more emotion and strength. So lucky to have worked with Derek!” ~ Kelsey Hertz, student Occidental College
“I think Creative Generations is absolutely beautiful, impressive, and heartfelt.” ~ Tamara Grose, Director Classical & Contemporary Dance
“Derek is an outstanding teacher, mentor and advocate for aspiring professional dancers. He is an experienced, effective communicator who leads by example and cares for each of his students holistically - emphasizing technical skills, artistic excellence, and personal growth. Our family sees first-hand how Derek puts his students first and advocates for their well-being. His excellent teaching and mentorship inspires our daughter and others to strive for success both on and off the dance floor.” -Eric F.
“Derek has been a real joy and a great resource for Sonoma Conservatory of Dance.” ~ Patty O’Reilly, Director Sonoma Conservatory of Dance
“The visual feedback was really easy for me to pinpoint where in the dance I could improve on… Derek gave ways of how to produce a better result too. This was helpful because it was constructive criticism with guidance instead of just simply saying what I did was wrong. Overall, I would give the video evaluation process a 10/10. - Anja W, senior student at Livermore School of Dance
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