For Immediate Release: February 13, 2018
-St. Louis, Missouri
January 22, 2018 marked the first official day of the LWDA Innovative Arts Education Program at the Mathews-Dickey Boys' Girls' Club. " The Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ was founded under a shade tree in St. Louis’ Handy Park by two neighborhood baseball coaches, Martin Luther Mathews and the late Hubert “Dickey” Ballentine, in 1960. Since then the Club has instilled the values of respect, restraint and responsibility within more than 2 million young people, ages 5 to 18. MDBGC is a youth-serving organization that annually offers direct-service programming to 3,000 children and indirect programming to over 10,000 in athletics, education, arts, healthy living and leadership and professional development." (https://mathews-dickey.com/about/)
Created and Spearheaded by the Organization's Founder, Artistic Director, and Dance Curriculum Teacher, Ms. Leah D. Willis, MBA has jumped right in to teach an eager and eclectic mix of students from diverse backgrounds. The LWDA Innovative Arts Education Program is a comprehensive experience where students will learn a myriad of supportive and professional skills. The program teaches 7 different Dance Techniques each infused with its own academic subject. These academic elements blended with the Dance Technique reinforces the student's regular academic learning from their school day. Concurrently, the program prepares students for the Dance world through fortification of Dance Technique, Discipline, Performance Etiquette, Dance History and Production Knowledge. The program also touts an extraordinary healthy eating program called their "Rules of Healthy Practice." Through this exciting program, students are educated on how to read ingredient lists and identify harmful chemicals and additives, and how to search for and purchase healthy alternatives. LWDA also provides a healthy snack and/or meal at each class session. This program builds healthy Dancers from the inside out, cultivating the necessary brain synapse function, bodily health and creativity needed to be proficient and exceptional in the Dance Field.
These unique and powerful skills will no doubt prepare these students for the Dance World and the mature responsibilities in their daily lives. Students that are currently registered range in age from 6 to 15. Auditions are now taking place for the Middle School and High School Division of the program.
LWDA will be delivering its programming at Mathews-Dickey BGC for the duration of the 2017-2018 school year, and will continue into the 2018-2019 school year. The organization will also be holding their own LWDA Summer Intensives, for serious students that seek to enhance their technique, and remain active over the Summer.
"This is very exciting!" Explains Ms. Willis. "One of our goals is to positively impact the students we reach at the age range we serve. Whether our students are pursuing a professional career in the Art of Dance, as some are, or, they are seeking a career in any other academic field, we have a unique array of tools that will assist each student with achieving their goals. These students have no idea about the amazing things they are about to accomplish. If they stick with it, and are serious, they will surprise themselves, their families and everyone they know!"
For more information, contact LWDA Administrative Staff at (314) 531-4276.