Riley Goudy

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About Riley

As a Nashville native, Lilly Heskje started dancing at 3 years old, and she expanded into theater as a middle schooler. She loved acting and singing alongside her friends, though her passion quickly transitioned into a love for choreography. She’s choreographed a wide range of productions since 2015, including titles such as The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Annie, and Newsies. In addition to these semester-long projects, she’s contributed to the dance programs for various musical theater camps during the summers.

Beyond her choreography projects, Lilly has over four year’s experience in teaching dance classes. Her styles have included ballet, hip hop, jazz, contemporary, and tap to students ranging from preschoolers to teenagers. Embracing the adventure of teaching with heaps of patience, creativity, and fun, Lilly cherishes the camaraderie and joy that comes with sharing her love of dance and theater.

Color: Blue/Green
Salty Treat: Popcorn
Sweet Treat: Dark Chocolate
Fast Food Restaurant: CAVA
Sit Down Restaurant: True Food Kitchen
Coffee Drink: Iced Oat Milk Vanilla Latte
Movie: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Place to Shop: Ulta/Target/Trader Joe’s
Scent: Eucalyptus/Mint
Clothing Brand: Aerie/Offline
Animal: Lion/Dog
Music Genre: Country/Elevation Worship
Travel Destination: The Beach or Smokey Mountains

Take a class with Riley

class schedule

THE ROOTS MENTOR PHILOSOPHY

Our mentors play a crucial role in shaping not just artists but well-rounded individuals equipped with a growth mindset, character, determination, confidence, and grit — skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

Beyond the Steps: Our Teaching Philosophy

Our approach to dance education goes beyond the traditional. While we undoubtedly focus on developing your technical skills and artistry, we understand that life's most valuable lessons extend far beyond the steps and choreography.

Our dance mentors are passionate about nurturing your movement abilities and your personal growth.

At ROOTS, we recognize that dance is a powerful vehicle for character development. Our mentors instill qualities like discipline, responsibility, and respect through the art of movement. Whether you're mastering ballet technique or perfecting your jazz performance, you'll also be enhancing essential life skills.

Learning choreography and refining your technique takes patience and perseverance. Our mentors are there to guide you through the challenging moments, teaching you the importance of determination and grit – qualities that transcend dance and apply to all areas of your life.

Self-confidence is a cornerstone of success. Our mentors help you build it through dance by celebrating your achievements and nurturing your self-belief. As you nail that challenging turn sequence or master a complex combination, you'll feel your confidence soar.

When you embark on a dance journey with ROOTS, you're not just gaining proficiency in your chosen style. You're also acquiring essential life skills that will serve you well in your academic, professional, and personal endeavors.

At ROOTS, it's not just about the dance classes. It's about the profound impact our dance mentors have on your life.

At ROOTS, we are proud to have mentors who are actively engaged in the dance community. They're not just teachers; they're performers, choreographers, and artists who live and breathe dance. This unique perspective enriches your learning experience, providing insights that go beyond the studio.

In the heart of Music City's vibrant arts scene, ROOTS Academy mentors often balance roles as professional dancers and educators. While their occasional commitments with dance companies or performance tours may lead to mentor substitutions, we're dedicated to keeping you informed about any class changes. In the rare event of an unmissable performance opportunity, rest assured that our team will facilitate a seamless transition to a new mentor.

Join us today to embark on an artistic and personal journey that will shape you into the best version of yourself. Experience the difference of mentorship at ROOTS Academy — where performing arts education becomes a transformative life experience.

THE ROOTS WAY

Our mission is to develop extraordinary artists and exceptional humans through transformative performing arts education. Through music, dance, and theatre, we inspire creativity, nurture character, and empower our students to positively impact their community and the world.

mindset
matters

(How we Think)

We believe mindset shapes not just who we are in the studio, but who we become in the world.

excellence
matters

(What we Do)

We believe excellence flourishes when preparation and vision align with discipline and passion.

people
matter

(How we Act)

We believe in creating spaces where everyone feels safe to create, supported to grow, and inspired to excel.

questions?

If you have any questions about our dance program, please don’t hesitate to call, text or email us. Our hours are Monday – Saturday from 12pm – 6pm.

SASKIA HARMON – Dance Director
JESSICA STILLMAN – Competition Manager
MELISSA BULLINGTON – Preschool Manager
JEN BURNS – Dance Operations Manager
KATHLEEN MCPHERSON – Dance Operations Coordinator

SASKIA HARMON
Dance Director
JESSICA STILLMAN
Competition Manager
MELISSA BULLINGTON
Preschool Manager
JEN BURNS
Dance Operations Manager
KATHLEEN MCPHERSON
Dance Operations Coordinator