Young Dancers Initiative is a pre-professional dance experience for middle school and high school dancers (grades 6-12 | ages 11-18), built to support the foundation of upcoming dance professionals. Serving as a supplemental program alongside a dancer’s studio/conservatory education, YDI provides professional contemporary training, performance, mentorship, educational workshops, choreography and teaching experiences, as well as networking opportunities to support dancers in cultivating their intentional future in the industry post high school graduation.

The program was founded by Jodie Randolph in 2013 in Ann Arbor, MI.  In 2020, YDI expanded to a second location in Kalamazoo, MI. 

The mission of YDI is to empower youth to take up space.