2026 Conference

Longevity and Wellness
for Dance Educators and Practitioners:
Taking Care of Ourselves

Dance educators and practitioners dedicate their lives to teaching, creating, mentoring, and sustaining dance communities. While our work centers around embodiment, care, and expression, the demands of performance, pedagogy, institutional structures, and cultural expectations often place our own well‑being at risk. This conference features presenters how will share ways in which we can actively sustain ourselves—physically, emotionally, socially, and professionally—across the arc of a dance career. The sessions will address longevity and wellness in dance education and practice, sharing innovative approaches to caring for ourselves while continuing to nurture artistry and excellence.

Location for all of the DSSE sessions:

Marriott Center for Dance on the University of Utah Campus

330 South 1500 East

Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0280

Links to UU campus maps:

At a pdf: https://www.utah.edu/printable-maps/assets/main-campus-map.pdf

Interractive map: https://www.map.utah.edu/

Link to University of Utah’s School of Dance: https://www.dance.utah.edu/

For more detailed information, please see this PDF: DSSE 2026 Conference

Deadline for proposals has now closed.

Registration

Registration Information

Registration is in two parts. First, complete the form linked below.
Then click the link at the bottom of the registration form
to complete payment. (Note: if you are opting for the on-campus dormitory housing option, please look carefully through the housing info below. and then you
can register for dormitory housing via this full Registration link.)
Your registration is not complete until your payment has been received.

DSSE Pricing

A 3% convenience fee will be added to all registrations.

All payments will be made through the University of Utah.

$150 Attendee
$125 Presenter
$100 Student or young professional
$50 Friday only
$65 Saturday only
$45 Sunday Only

Late registration fee of $25 after June 1st

Schedule

Link to Conference Schedule

Keynote Speakers

Nourish Your Life at the Roots

with Carl Rabke &  Erin Geesaman Rabke 

During this 3-hour experiential workshop, you'll be held in a nourishing weave of practices drawn from somatic movement lessons rooted in Feldenkrais, Fighting Monkey, & Embodied Life Work , Experiential Deep Ecology practices, song and body percussion drawn from Musica do Circulo, positive neuroplasticity practices, and more. You will leave feeling more alive, connected, and true, while feeling more deeply connected to yourself and your community. 

Erin Geesaman Rabke is a Somatic Naturalist & Embodiment Mentor; a writer, a mother, a teacher, and a possibilitarian. Professionally trained as a Feldenkrais® Practitioner, an Embodied Life Teacher, a Work That Reconnects Facilitator, and a Community Grief Ritualist, over the past 30 years, she’s been trained in many somatics lineages, in the Tibetan Buddhist traditions of Dzogchen and Lojong, as well as being engaged in ongoing deep mentorship in soul work, deep ecology, and the mythopoetic. She is a mother, a meditator, an animist, a lover of poetry, a convener of soulful community, and in love with the holy wild Earth. She is a home herbalist, a gardener, and a beekeeper, dedicated to ripening mature human beings and stewarding Refugia. Along with her husband, Carl, she hosts the Embodiment Matters Podcast. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, with their 15-year old son, many wily animals, and a wild permaculture garden. Find out more at www.embodimentmatters.com

Carl Rabke is a Somatic Naturalist, Embodiment teacher, and a tender of soul and living culture. For the last 25 years, he has practiced and taught where the streams of somatics,  soul-work, and a deep love of this living Earth meet. He is a Feldenkrais Practitioner and Rolfer, and loves to support people in returning to and remembering our natural, inherent intelligence in movement, meditation, ritual, song, rhythm, and community. Carl has studied at Bobby McFerrin’s Circlesongs School and is a Musica do Círculo practitioner. He has studied voice work with George Grant, Judi Vinar, and Zuza Goncalves. He has mentored with Jozef Frucek of Fighting Monkey. Carl has also mentored with and taught alongside Francis Weller. Carl also hosts the Embodiment Matters Podcast with his beloved wife, Erin. You can find out more about him here.

Lodging, Transportation, etc.

Lodging, Transportation,

Local Details

DSSE SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATIONS – summer 2026

**Cheapest: University of Utah Dorms (On-Campus Housing). Stay in University of Utah On-Campus Housing just like our majors do! On-Campus Housing is only available for participants aged 18 and up. Check in 7/16/2026 - Check out 7/19/2026. Full Housing payment ($150 total) due by June 1, 2026. No discounts offered if not staying the entire conference. No refunds will be given if room is not cancelled by June 1. After June 1, no refunds will be given except due to extreme illness or injury verified by a medical professional. Full refunds will be given if the conference is cancelled by the School of Dance, University of Utah, or any other government entity. Rooms are singles only, with pillow, sheet, blanket provided. Shared bathrooms. Please bring your own towel. These are dormitory rooms without extras added. Very inexpensive, but you’ll need to bring most of your own stuff for comfort.

If you’d like to select this option, you can sign up via this link: https://dance-uofu.nbsstore.net/dsse-housing

Suggested option ON campus:

University Guest House: 15 minute walk to the Marriott Center for Dance. Very comfortable hotel. Note: light breakfast included. No restaurants nearby. Free campus shuttle also available during the summer but limited hours. Free parking. Both double and single room available ranging from $203-269/night when reserved via Expedia:https://www.expedia.com/Salt-Lake-City-Hotels-University-Guest-House.h122394380.Hotel-Information?chkin=2026-07-16&chkout=2026-07-19&x_pwa=1&rfrr=HSR&pwa_ts=1774630193054&referrerUrl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwZWRpYS5jb20vSG90ZWwtU2VhcmNo&useRewards=false&rm1=a2&regionId=6068227&destination=University+of+Utah%2C+Salt+Lake+City%2C+Utah%2C+United+States+of+America&destType=MARKET&neighborhoodId=944174673290358784&latLong=40.765152%2C-111.838334&sort=RECOMMENDED&top_dp=702&top_cur=USD&userIntent=&selectedRoomType=327690290&selectedRatePlan=405995195&categorySearch=any_option&searchId=bd98485b-72f8-42d9-b500-6b4d371b20aa

Suggested options OFF campus:

1. Hampton Inn and Suites: 10 minute bus ride to campus (noting that most buses run every 30 minutes), but also an easy uber/lyft ride to campus. Note: buffet breakfast included. Indoor pool and hot tub onsite. Larger outdoor mall area (Foothill Village) is across the street with restaurants and a grocery store. Free

parking. Both double and single rooms available ranging from $189-205/night when reserved on

Expedia:https://www.expedia.com/Salt-Lake-City-Hotels-Hampton-Inn-Suites-Salt-Lake-CityUniversity-

Foothill-Dr.h4658840.Hotel-Informationchkin=2026-07-16&chkout=2026-07-19&x_pwa=1&rfrr=HSR&pwa_ts=1774630193871&referrerUrl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwZWRpYS5jb20vSG90ZWwtU2VhcmNo&useRewards=false&rm1=a2&regionId=6068227&destination=University+of+Utah%2C+Salt+Lake+City%2C+Utah%2C+United+States+of+America&destType=MARKET&neighborhoodId=870049305029861376&latLong=40.765152%2C-111.838334&sort=RECOMMENDED&top_dp=656&top_cur=USD&userIntent=&selectedRoomType=201134052&selectedRatePlan=238091781&categorySearch=any_option&searchId=bd98485b-72f8-42d9-b500-6b4d371b20aa

2. Little America Hotel: 10-15 minute TRAX ride to campus (noting that the above-ground TRAX trains usually run every 15 minutes or so. Located in downtown Salt Lake City, with many restaurants within walkable distance. Parking is $18/day. Really nice indoor pool and hot tub on site. Cook-to-order breakfast available. Note: Double and single rooms available ranging from $188-272/night when reserved on Expedia: https://www.expedia.com/Salt-Lake-City-Hotels-Little-America-Hotel.h2841.Hotel-Information?chkin=2026-07-16&chkout=2026-07-19&x_pwa=1&rfrr=HSR&pwa_ts=1774630193889&referrerUrl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwZWRpYS5jb20vSG90ZWwtU2VhcmNo&useRewards=false&rm1=a2&regionId=6068227&destination=University+of+Utah%2C+Salt+Lake+City%2C+Utah%2C+United+States+of+America&destType=MARKET&neighborhoodId=6056390&latLong=40.765152%2C-111.838334&sort=RECOMMENDED&top_dp=665&top_cur=USD&userIntent=&selectedRoomType=120941&selectedRatePlan=280400&categorySearch=any_option&searchId=bd98485b-72f8-42d9-b500-6b4d371b20aa

If you go directly to the Little America website, they provide 10% off their booking and room rates range from $212-257/night: https://saltlake.littleamerica.com/

3. AirBB or VRBO – There are multiple housing options near the University of Utah campus. Recommended neighborhoods close enough to campus: Harvard/Yale, 9th/9th in Sugarhouse, University District, The Avenues. If you have questions about a particular neighborhood before booking, you are welcome to email the conference host, Pamela Geber Handman with any questions: p.geber@utah.edu

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Transportation and Food Info

Lift/Uber:

~ $20-25 from airport to downtown SLC

~ $30 from airport to University of Utah campus

Transportation Options:

UTA: Utah Transit Authority

https://www.rideuta.com/

TRAX: There is a trax line that goes from the airport to downtown SLC and also, up to the UU campus.

Bus: Buses run throughout SLC, usually running every 30 minutes or so.

Fair options for UTA:

$2.50 for 1 trip; $5.00 a day. TRAX fares can be purchased at the airport station at a Ticket Vending Machine or on The Transit App.

https://rideuta.com/Fares-And-Passes/Transit-Mobile-Ticketing

Buses can be paid for with exact cash or The Transit App. NOTE: Free Fare Zone

UTA passengers may ride for free when entering and exiting a fixed-route bus or TRAX train within the boundaries of the Free Fare Zone. If you begin your ride before entering the zone and/or exit after leaving the zone, you will be asked to provide proof of payment. When boarding a bus, simply tell the bus driver you intend to stay in the zone to ride without charge.

Parking in Salt Lake City

Please check for parking regulations where you intend to park on the street. Free street parking is available in some areas, and there are various other rules and timings in different places.

Parking on the University of Utah Campus:

https://commuterservices.utah.edu/visitor-short-term-parking/

There is free parking in near the Marriott School of Dance, on a first-come, first-served basis. This lot has been designated for us, but you are not guaranteed a space.

If you cannot find a space in LOT 4

There is hourly ($4/hr.) parking in the Marriott Library Parking LOT 6 located between the Marriott Library and the Marriott Center for Dance. Use the kiosks to pay by the hour, for as many hours as you may need.
If you do not mind walking, you can park in LOTS 1 OR 9 U PARKING (NOT A PARKING) for $11.00 for the day. You must call this number to complete the transaction.
Most street parking around the University is permit-restricted or has a maximum 2-hour time limit.

Food Options:

On Campus

1. University of Utah Main Campus Store & Starbucks (located on campus near the Marriott Library and the Marriott Center for Dance buildings). It has some grab-and-go prepared items, and there is a Starbucks (Service from 8:00 am to 4:45 pm)

Summer hours: M-F 8:00 am-5:00 pm

https://www.store.utah.edu/umarket

2. Brio Coffee (Skaggs Biology Building (#82) This is on the way from the #2 bus, highlighted on the map. Summer hours for this Brio location are M-F 8 am-4 pm

3. A. Ray Olpin Student Union - Food Court

M-F 10:30 am-2:30 pm

Burger 801, Panda Express, Saffron Valley, and Crossroads Bistro are open at the food court.

https://www.union.utah.edu/resources-spaces/dining/dining-options/

4. Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA) Café on campus

Coffee and tea are available 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m., and food is available 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., but only based on staff availability.

https://umfa.utah.edu/cafe

Within walking distance to the University:

1. Indochine Vietnamese Bistro

230 S. 1300 E., SLC

https://www.visitsaltlake.com/listing/indochine-vietnamese-bistro/60751/

2. The Pie Pizzeria Underground (gluten-free, non-dairy, and vegan options)