Rhythm & Bloom Performing Arts Equity · Cedar Valley, Iowa
Become a Mentor.
Build what lasts.
R&B mentors are people who broke a cycle — in any domain — and are ready to show up for a young person who is trying to do the same. Tell us who you are. Taija or Xander will follow up personally.
The Mentor Family
Four roles. One community.
Every R&B scholar receives a Mentor Family — three individual mentors with distinct roles, plus The Garden community. You don't have to be a dancer. You have to have shown up when it was hard.
The consistent adult. Weekly check-in — not because something happened, but because that's what you do. Tracks the whole scholar: school, home, dance, life.
Max 2 scholars · Weekly commitment
Monthly meetings. Holds a scholar's future when they can't see it themselves. Asks: who are you becoming? Forward-focused, not crisis-focused.
3–4 scholars · Monthly commitment
Competition-activated. Pre and post-performance presence. Must have lived experience with high-stakes performance pressure — from any field.
4–5 scholars · Competition calendar
Group model for Tier A dance teams. Monthly group reflections, competition presence, building team culture alongside the coach. Not 1-on-1.
1 per team · Monthly + competitions
Tends the whole cohort. Runs quarterly Garden events. Knows every scholar by name. Makes R&B feel like a community, not a program.
Full cohort · Quarterly events required
Who We're Looking For
You don't have to be a dancer.
R&B mentors come from every background — former athletes, artists, educators, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, coaches, people in recovery, people who built something from nothing. The credential is your story.
Did you break a cycle? Navigate a space that wasn't built for you? Fail publicly and come back anyway? Show up for young people when no one showed up for you? That is what our scholars need — not a dance resume, but a human being who knows what the hard ground looks like and chooses to keep turning toward the light.
Mentor Interest Form
Tell us about yourself.
This is not an application — it's an introduction. Formal applications open April 12. One of the people below will follow up with you personally before then.
Handles mentor recruitment, community connections, and first outreach. Primary follow-up contact through April.
Manages role assignments, training, and program design. May follow up if your background points toward a specific role fit.
We see you.
Thank you for stepping forward. Taija or Xander will be in touch personally within 5 business days.
Formal applications open April 12. You'll be first to know.
Rooted in purpose, turning toward the light.