Want to join us?
16 Years of
Educating through Dance
Register Now
watch LWDA In action
About Company
Description here
Content Left here
Content Right here
Button Text
Elevating Dance Since 2009
Mission statement
We positively impact our culturally diverse and underserved families by enhancing resolute technical prowess, academic support, nutritional wellness, and self-sufficiency via a strong
educational, historical and culturally astute foundation; utilizing the vehicle of Dance.
Core principals rooted in Commandment Keeping are divulged, which directly instill: morality, integrity, respect, accountability, trustworthiness, empathy, logical thinking, etiquette and
fellowship.
Learn More
Our Dance Styles
Styles of Dance that We Teach:
West African Dance
Explore the regions of Ghana, Senegal, Mali and more through the immersive, fun and exciting cultural dances of West Africa!
We take a specific look at the technical styling of the dances of Sunu, Lamba, Kuku and more…
Ballet
Dive into the world of graceful leaps, turns and technical training in Ballet! We ground our Dancers in foundational technique and etiquette, while having fun and building camaraderie and confidence….
Modern/Contemporary
Create, and bring personal expression to life with both free form and technical training in Modern/Contemporary Dance! We explore technique from renowned Choreographers such as Paul Taylor, Lester…
Urbanity by LWDA
Jump, jam and fly with us through the smooth, exciting and electrifying technical style of Urbanity by LWDA! Ms. Leah Willis teaches a modest approach to what the world knows as Hip Hop, and flips it both Ol’ School…
Salsa
Travel with us to tropical islands as well as regions of the U.S., in
our learning of Salsa! Building upon mature respect of one another, ladies’ and men’s styling technique as well as exciting rhythms of the islands…
Tap
Become a living instrument, and beat your rhythm loud and strong in
Tap! Standing on the cultural, historical and pioneering movements and technique of those who came before us and originated what is…
Jazz
Get ready to transform the stage, with high energy, exuberant and coordinated style in Jazz! We take a storytelling approach to this style, with mood, character development and technique, while keeping the…
Read More
Testimonials
What Our Students Have To Say?
“When Leah Willis brought her dance program to Roosevelt Elementary in 2012, it instantly became a reason children wanted to be at school. Her leadership inspired students, gave them a new language of expression, and built a sense of identity through dance. Leah’s warmth welcomed families across cultures, her compassion eased financial barriers, and her dedication helped the children shine in performances across the city.”
Dr. Christopher Lund
Superintendent Long Beach Unified School District
“My experience with this Nonprofit Organization has been highly satisfying and greatly rewarding. LWDA and I, collaborated together and created a neurologically enhancing program for children who live with an Autism Spectrum Disorder in LWDA Time To Fly!©. This uplifted my world, because it positively affects my son and helped him to engage with other people. It went from him needing to not be with people, to actually being engaged and wanting more. And it happened within the span of what, 30 minutes? IT MEANT EVERYTHING TO ME. “
Collaborator
“LWDA prepares students to be empathetic, courageous and intelligent DO-ERS of good for humanity. They teach children at a young age, the importance of selfless giving, environment preservation and accountability for the future of everyone. I am (pleasantly) shocked that all of this is coming from a DANCE or ARTS organization, in such an open, accessible, honest and energizing way. I HIGHLY, recommend Leah Willis Dance Arts to ANY person seeking to work with an organization with TRUE integrity, and that cares deeply for the well being of all.”
Volunteer
Read more reviews here
Our program offerings
LWDA Satisfies Content Standards, GLEs, Health & Wellness and Community Service Engagement
- Dance Education in Seven Styles
LWDA offers comprehensive instruction in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, West African, Salsa, Modern/Contemporary, and Urbanity (Hip-Hop). Each class integrates technical training with historical and cultural study, ensuring students understand the origins, traditions, and social impact of each dance form. The program includes field trips to performances and cultural institutions as well as guest artist workshops, giving students exposure to professional dancers and real-world arts experiences.
- Nutrition & Wellness Education (Rules of Healthy Practice©)
Through LWDA’s signature nutrition program, students and families learn about ingredient literacy, caloric balance, and healthy lifestyle choices. Lessons emphasize how nutrition supports performance, learning, and long-term wellness. The program also fosters decision-making skills that promote healthful, lifelong habits, addressing issues such as childhood obesity and family food insecurity.
- Service Learning© & Community Engagement
LWDA integrates service projects that connect students with their communities. These initiatives teach accountability, empathy, and leadership through hands-on activities such as:
- Agricultural learning and self-sufficiency skills.
- Entrepreneurial skill development.
- Literacy advocacy for younger children.
- Kinesiology and motivational movement activities with seniors.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Get more updates concerning our program.
[sibwp_form id=1]
Our Lead Dance Instructor
Leah D. Willis, MBA
Leah Danyelle Willis was born in Van Nuys, California but grew up in Portland, Oregon. She began dancing at the age of five, and completed 10 years of dance training at Hollywood Dance and Fitness.
She earned her High School Diploma from Woodrow Wilson High School, as well as distinguished recognition from the Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators for academic achievement and citizenship, in working to improve the climate of her school and community. During her Sophomore year, she was selected for the musical Brigadoon, ushering in her experience in Musical Theater.
She attended Jefferson High School half time
during her Junior and Senior years as a member of their professional dance company called The Jefferson
Dancers; led by Artistic Director Steve Gonzalez, formerly a member of Moses Pendleton’s New York
Company, MOMIX. The Jefferson Dancers performed at such venues as: The Millennium Stage at the Kennedy
Center in Washington D.C., The Hult Performing Arts Center in Eugene Oregon, The Newport Performing Arts
Center in Newport Oregon, and the beautiful P.C.P.A. (Portland Center for the Performing Arts) in Downtown
Portland, Oregon. The company gave lecture demonstrations to Portland Public Schools within the city when
they weren’t on tour. Ms. Willis attained her Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts/Dance Concentration with
Honors in 2004 from Santa Monica College. As a student at SMC from 2002-2004, Leah studied Modern,
Ballet, West African, and Salsa and performed in SMC’s contemporary dance ensemble Synapse Dance
Theater. She also presided over a student-run organization called The International Dance Club. In Addition,
she was personally selected by world renowned West African Dance Master, Nzingha Camara, to join her
company: Ballet Kouman Kele, of which she is still intermittently a member. Ms. Willis earned her Bachelor’s
Degree in Dance from California State University, Long Beach, in 2007. As a student, her original
choreography and musical compositions were selected for the 2006 and 2007 Undergraduate Contemporary
Dance Concerts. She earned her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in
2010.
In the summer of 2010, Leah performed for R Dance Company, led by renowned choreographer and
associate faculty member in the Dance Department of Santa Monica College, Roberta Wolin-Tupas. She was
noted as giving “compelling performances in the modern dance works Rising Above and Just Do It.” While
studying business, Ms. Willis founded a nonprofit organization in 2009 called Leah Willis Dance Arts.
Presently The organization places Dance curriculum, nutrition education and career programs into under
served schools and facilities. LWDA has worked with: the Long Beach Unified School District, in Long Beach,
CA, Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada and St. Louis, Missouri, St. Louis Public Schools and We Rock The
Spectrum Kids Gym Corp. Dancers experience guest artist workshops, service learning projects to improve
their communities, perform throughout the city, take educational field trips and learn dance technique and
discipline in 7 different disciplines of Dance. Ms. Willis has an eclectic mix of professional and performance
experience and is very eager to share this passionate journey for many years to come.
Get In Touch
Let’s Talk To An Expert
You can all feel free to get through to us. We would be glad to receive your request and get back to you as soon as possible.