Big things have been happening for the Little Leapers dance studio, based in Blacksburg. Less than one year ago the Little Leapers was a single dance class offered at the local YMCA, they now offer their unique ballet classes in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Pearisburg, Radford, and Roanoke. Using a distinctive approach to dance education, the Little Leapers offers kids an alternative to black leotards, pink tights, and the usual demands of a classical ballet school. If you enter a typical dance class in Roanoke you might see ballet barres, tight buns, and teachers wagging their fingers for students to straighten their knees and point their toes. For many young dancers the wonderful dream of becoming a ballerina princess is quickly replaced by discipline and uncomfortable positions. While dance can be quite hard work and requires much dedication and yes-discipline, Heather Leeper, Director of Little Leapers has a very different approach. “After seeing many studio’s teach children’s ballet classes with varying curriculums, I was always saddened when I would hear students say they ‘hated’ dance, at age 5. ‘Hated?’ I would think… How could you hate something so theatrical, filled with tiaras and tutus, at age 5? As a young dancer begins to advance, sure, dance can be quite trying and every dancer will see tears at some point in their training. But not at age 5.” Heather’s love for ballet, and dance in general, started at a very young age, and was even performing with New York City Ballet as a young girl. Despite being trained in a traditional, high-discipline ballet school, she believes that the most important thing for a young dancer to have is a solid foundation of love for dance. It was this foundation that sparked the Little Leapers program. “I wanted to bring back the magic and fantasy of ballet to class. To let children embrace the spirit of dance that most have before they ever even put on their first pair of ballet shoes.” A Little Leapers class is unique from the moment the class begins. Students are lined up as they chassé or bourrée into the dance studio, all while being serenaded by their teacher. As they form into a circle, the usual stretches you’d find in a traditional studio are replaced with fun interpretations using songs, telling stories, and above all, using a lot of imagination. While it may seem like a simple sing-along, the children are learning the proper French terms for the dance moves they perform while singing; without even realizing it, they’ll soon know that when you stand up on your tippy toes, it’s called a relevé. Beyond the simple steps, kids learn how to use their bodies to tell a story, like prima ballerinas do on stage. One parent said, “Little Leapers is a great opportunity for your little ballerina to fall in love with dance! Playful, patient, and full of princess magic. Heather Leeper and her instructors are wonderful teachers. If you're looking for non-traditional dance instruction, you must try Little Leapers!” Possibly the most treasured part of the class is story time. Each week the students gather around their teacher as she reads them a classic fairytale. The children then get dressed up in lovely tutus and costumes specifically made to go along with the story; they then follow the teacher as they reenact the story to beautiful and theatrical music. The choreography they are taught utilizes the dance steps they have learned throughout class and they’re able to learn the power of dance as a means to interpret a story. Props that go along with the story allow the children use their imagination to bring the ballet story to life. Register for your free trial today! Little Leapers offers their Fairy Tale Ballet Class in Roanoke at Aquatic Adventures (on Electric Road) on Wednesdays at 10:30am and 12:15pm and on Thursdays at 4:30pm. “It is our goal to provide a safe and inviting atmosphere for all students to express themselves through the artistry and technique of dance. Each dance class incorporates structured class curriculum fostering creativity and individuality in a fun learning environment.”info@thelittleleapers.com to schedule your free trial.
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