Leonard’s Academy of dance: Winner Small Business of the Year Award 2011 Dance studio voted Best of the Bay Runner Up 2011• Dance Studio voted: Best in Brandon Bronze 2011
November 2006, Leonard opened Leonard’s Academy of Dance, a multicultural dance studio that celebrates and embraces different styles of dance & the people who enjoy them. Today, home to over 100 students, LAD has the most diverse program in the area. LAD offers classes ranging from children to adults, begin- ning level to advanced, and from recreational (for fun and fitness) to competitive dance in the styles of Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Pointe, Tap, African, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Liturgical (Praise), Acro (Tumbling), Technique, Ballroom, boys only classes, and the most adults classes in the area to include “Chicago Steppin”. LAD also offers choreography and instruc- tional classes for wedding dances, sweet sixteen celebrations and quinceaneras.
A strong sense of community involvement, LAD has contributed more than $25,000 in services and scholarships to the Brandon Community since opening in 2006. The dance academy is involved in many local events that allow the children and adults to display their talents as well as give back to the commu- nity. He also spent time in Brandon, Tampa, Plant City, and surrounding areas with youth programs, giving opportunities to children that would otherwise not have the resources to experience the art of dance.
Leonard, a retired Army Officer, holds a Master’s Degree from Bowie State University and continues to educate and encourage the youth on the importance of higher education academically and throughout the arts.
discipline of dance is for children-physically and emotionally-every
would be enrolled. Children that partici- pate in dance on average
achieve
higher scores in school, are more aware
of confident their weight and eating habits and are more in routine activities. An early
foundation in dance is a great way to help children develop their physical presence, concentration, memory, discipline and commitment. The right dance classes inspire children and can put them
We’re More Than Just a Dance Academy, We’re a Family!
If parents could understand how good the child
on a
path to a lifetime of fitness.
In 1991, Leonard Founded the
Musical
Performance Troupe, United Nations of Dance. The home of UND is now Brandon with satellite locations in Germany and Texas. June 2011, UND celebrated its 20th anniversary with an original play entitled “A Passage Through Time” A Musical Celebration of the African American Journey. The play highlights significant achievements and contributions of African Americans from the Middle Passage to present featur- ing the works of Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes, the contributions of Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and Dr. Martin Luther King, the years of Motown, Soul Train, and American Dance legend, Alvin Ailey and more. Local youths, adults, amateurs and professionals were invited to participate and perform with professionals from around the city, country, and world in the stage play. Leonard hopes that “A Passage Through Time” will become an annual event for the community with an abbreviated version of the play used throughout the year at schools, churches, community events, and historical celebrations to enlighten all and remind others of the struggles, endurance, and achievements of African Americans. Leonard’s future vision of expansion includes partner- ing with charity organizations, forming a non-profit organization, adding an after school program that includes drama and music, satellite locations for these new projects, and continuing his international expan- sion by traveling to China in 2011/2012 to partner with other companies and artists promoting cultural awareness through dance.
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