Day Two Brought Shakespeare, Ballet, and Wonder to the 2025 National Symposium for Classical Education 

Educators, scholars, and arts enthusiasts joined for the second day of the National Symposium for Classical Education, eager to immerse themselves in an age-old tradition newly invigorated by modern vision. Under the crisp Arizona sky, the brewing coffee couldn’t match the buzz of anticipation as attendees prepared for a full schedule of illuminating talks, artistic showcases, and hands-on workshops. By the time the ballroom doors swung open for the morning’s first keynote, the energy was electric—proof that even centuries-old educational methods can spark excitement powerful enough to carry an audience from sunrise to sunset.

The honors choir from Trivium Prep opened the session with a performance led by Choir Director Sarah Joseph, demonstrating the level of artistry a classical education fosters. This artistic excellence was further exemplified when Great Hearts Bard winner Elinor Patient took the stage to recite The Mending Wall by Robert Frost. The audience was captivated as the fifth grader from Great Hearts Roosevelt performed the piece with striking maturity and a deep understanding of the material. As Dan Scoggin, Co-Founder of Great Hearts, put it, “Your soul shaped the poetry, and you can tell that the poetry shaped your soul.” It was a testament to the education she has received.

Sir Jonathan Bate then approached the podium to deliver his keynote, “Shakespeare and the Classics”, but first admitted that Patient would be tough to follow. He spoke about how Shakespeare’s own classical education shaped his imagination and world-changing works, noting that the same type of education had influenced Patient—perfectly illustrating the point of his lecture. “[Shakespeare’s] imagination was stimulated by his classical education,” he said, adding, “The classical tradition is very much alive… it is not something that is fixed, but something that evolves and survives.”

“What you are doing in fostering, reviving, and bringing forward the idea of a classical education—you are entering into a great tradition that goes back hundreds and hundreds of years. And it was out of that education that we got the works of Shakespeare,” Bate concluded.

A standout afternoon session featured Lincoln Jones, co-founder of the American Contemporary Ballet in Los Angeles, and his workshop, “Ballet, the Soul, and Society”. Jones demonstrated how ballet and dance cultivate physical nobility, soul formation, and deeper social connection, with the help of Hannah Barr, a company dancer with American Contemporary Ballet.

Junius Johnson delivered a scholarly talk titled Feasting in the “Land of Faërie: The Role of Enchantment in Education”,where he unpacked the importance of wonder and imagination in shaping both culture and the soul. “A classical education is an education for a life of more,” he explained to attendees. Johnson’s work spans theology, philosophy, literature, and music. He is the executive director of Junius Johnson Academics, where he offers intellectually rigorous courses for both adults and children.

Many other panels and workshops were enjoyed by symposiasts, many of whom have cherished this time of learning, inspiration, and connection. This will undoubtedly be a week to remember.

The National Symposium for Classical Education will continue through the end of the week, and we will continue to bring you highlights from all three days, full of keynotes, workshops, panels, and presentations from more than 60 speakers—each an expert in the field of wonder.

Do you have a story or know of one that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.

Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.