About2025-02-04T16:49:07-06:00

About Us

ROOTS Academy’s mission is to equip the next generation of performers with the skills, mindset and confidence to thrive on any stage

Saskia Harmon - Director

kyle chowning

President & Owner

Welcome

Thanks for stopping by! My wife, Kristy, and I founded ROOTS Academy in 2012 with a simple idea—create a place where students of all ages can learn and grow in a safe, creative, and inspiring environment. Today, we are a vibrant community of over 1,400 growth-minded creatives pursuing our passions in music, dance, and theatre.

At ROOTS, everything we do is guided by The ROOTS Way, built on three core values:
Mindset Matters – Growth begins with the right mindset.
Excellence Matters – We strive for our best in everything we do.
People Matter – Every student, family, and instructor is valued.

If you’re wondering whether ROOTS Academy is the right fit for you, we invite you to come in and experience it for yourself. We offer free trial music lessons and dance classes, so you can explore and find what inspires you.

I hope to see you in the studio soon!

-Kyle

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email info@rootsacademy.com or call/text us at (615) 804-1177.

what we offer

  • Music Lessons available for ages 5 to adult in piano, guitar, voice, drums, violin, cello, ukulele, bass and more – in studio or your home.

  • OnStage Program including bands, courses and ensemble groups for beginner to advanced level musicians.

  • Dance Classes available for ages 18 months through 18 years and include styles such as ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, and more.

  • Competitive Dance Program is designed for dedicated dancers looking to take their skills to the next level. This program focuses on advanced technique, performance excellence, and participation in competitions.

  • Musical Theatre program unites dance, voice, and acting training for aspiring performers of all skill levels

  • Recitals are offered throughout the year, including the annual Dance recital, the semi-annual OnStage Band Show and the quarterly RMA Fests, providing students with opportunities to perform for live audiences and celebrate their progress.

  • Summer Camps are available in music, dance, musical theatre, and preschool programs in a fun, creative environment.

our promise

We are so confident that you’ll love your experience at ROOTS that we guarantee your satisfaction for the first 30 days (4 classes or lessons), or your money back.

THE ROOTS WAY

Our mission is to train & develop musicians and dancers through leadership that inspires, serves and challenges everyone to give their best. We believe passionately in the power of the arts to impact lives and inspire creativity for the benefit of the community and the world.

mindset
matters

(How we Think)

We believe a healthy mindset affects how we show up in and outside the studio.

excellence
matters

(What we Do)

We believe excellence comes when defining & preparing for success is matched with discipline & passion.

people
matter

(How we Act)

We believe a healthy mindset affects how we show up in and outside the studio.

Meet our teamGraphic

Meet the dedicated team who guide ROOTS Academy’s mission to inspire, serve, and develop artists through music, dance and theatre education.

Meet our team

Meet the dedicated team who guide ROOTS Academy’s mission to inspire, serve, and develop artists through music, dance and theatre education.

Leadership Team

Dance team

Music team

Marketing team

Operations team

Our History

August 2012
Kyle & Kristy Chowning purchased the business, thanks to the generosity of our investors, Warren & Evelyn Hall.
January 2013
Name was changed from School of Worship to ROOTS Academy Launched ROOTS Dance
June 2013
Launched our first season of Summer music & dance camps
February 2015
Launched a new location in Thompson Station (closed in January 2016)
August 2016
Due to our growth, we leased a building just a quarter mile from our original location and opened Studio B, adding a second dance studio to our space.
July 2017
The owners purchased and began renovations on 320 Southgate Court in Brentwood, TN—the new, permanent home for ROOTS Academy. This 11,000-square-foot building enabled us to expand to three dance studios, 13 music studios, and add much-needed office space for our growing administrative team.
October 2017
ROOTS Dance took the stage for our first dance competition.
October 2017
We moved out of our original location at 216 Seaboard and our second location (Studio B) into one completely renovated studio space at 320 Southgate Court.
May 2019
Acquired the 5,500-square-foot building next to our current location, expanding our total capacity to 16,500 square feet. This expansion includes five dance studios, 13 music studios, and a dedicated band studio.
November 2019
We opened The Annex, adding 2,700 square feet of sprung-floor dance studio space and a 600-square-foot band studio for our growing Band program. The Annex features two lobby areas with comfortable seating, The Homework Table for students to work between classes, and, of course, screaming fast Wi-Fi.
March 2020
The global pandemic hit, and due to local stay-at-home orders, we pivoted to offer our entire music and dance programs virtually.
May 2020
The show must go on! With lessons and classes hosted virtually since the March shutdown, the ROOTS team pivoted once more to create and stream our first (and hopefully last) virtual music and dance recitals. Not even a pandemic could keep us from getting “on stage.”
June 2020
After being closed to the public since March 14th due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we re-opened the studio to the public.
January 2022
For the first time in ROOTS history, we passed 1,000 actively enrolled students in our music and dance programs.
July 2022
ROOTS Dance Academy made its mark at its first-ever Dance Nationals Competition, earning recognition for its achievements by winning multiple National Championships.
August 2022
ROOTS Celebrates 10 Years
January 2024
Launched ROOTS at Home, providing music lessons at home for customers living in Franklin & Brentwood
February 2024
Initiated a feasibility study to construct a building between our existing buildings, uniting them into one large ROOTS facility.
August 2024
Launched the Musical Theatre program with Matilda Jr. as our first performance (Nov 2024)

cool springs • brentwood • franklin

ROOTS campus

Located in the heart of Cool Springs, the ROOTS Academy Campus spans 18,400 square feet across three facilities: the Main Building, the Annex, and Studio M.

Our Brentwood, TN campus includes 15 music lesson studios, 7 dance studios with professional sprung floors, and a fully equipped band studio. Parents can enjoy four welcoming lobby areas with comfortable workspaces and seating, designed for both relaxation and productivity. The campus also offers 95 parking spaces and filtered water stations for added convenience.

TRUSTED BY…

testimonials

Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what some of our families have to say about their ROOTS experience.

News & Updates

  • Now Registering for 2025 Summer CampGraphic

    2025 Summer Camp Registration is Open! With over 30 camps to choose from, each of our Dance, Music, and Musical Theatre camps is designed to teach students next-level skills, [...]

  • RMA Fest RecapGraphic

    On November 22–23, 2024, the RMA Fest Fall Showcase took center stage at The Roy E. Barberi Theatre, spotlighting nearly 150 talented music students and OnStage Bands. Over the course of five unforgettable shows, these young artists delivered performances filled with passion, skill, and creativity. Continue Reading RMA Fest Recap

  • OnStage Band Show RecapGraphic

    OnStage Band Show Recap: A Night of Music and Memories at the Mockingbird Theatre On December 3–4, 2024, our OnStage Bands brought the house down at the Mockingbird Theatre, [...]

  • Music & Dance Free Trial Week – Jan 13-18, 2025Graphic

    Calling All Aspiring Musicians and Dancers Ages 6 and Up! ROOTS Academy is excited to announce our Music & Dance Free Trial Week from January 13-18, 2025—an incredible opportunity [...]

CONTACT INFO

ROOTS ACADEMY

320 Southgate Court
Brentwood, TN 37027

PHONE & SMS
(615) 804-1177

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