Meet Leah Willis

We were lucky to catch up with Leah Willis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Leah, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

My very own Mother, who taught Dance for 17 years, is the reason I dance today. She brought me to my very first dance class and ignited within me the destiny that followed. She always believed in me and encouraged me to use my voice and my movement to inspire others, lift them up, help them to see truth and respect one another. When I began my journey building Leah Willis Dance Arts, all of the major cities where we ran our programs constantly wanted to remove the Arts from schools as a direct answer to “save money.” The big buzz word was “budget cuts.” Research proved that removing Arts Programs from schools cost more money to the city and dropout rates among teens rose exponentially. I became an avid advocate for keeping the Arts and Education together in harmony, and thus, my program was born of the perspiration to prove that Academic facets can be learned through the Arts, and in particular, Professional Dance Disciplines, and vice versa. The curriculum I created satisfies State Content Standards in both the Arts realm and Academics, and the synergy between both should be highlighted. Humans are organic, and creative, not robots. The way we process the world comes with color, rhythm, movement and sound. Not just calculations, but an understanding of how to use and process those calculations to complete a task, STILL, in order to CREATE something!

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Hi there! My name is Leah D. Willis, MBA, and I am the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Artistic Director of Leah Willis Dance Arts. My passion for dance and academics has spanned over a collective 38 years. I could not see myself without supporting the artistic and academic dreams and aspirations of the youth and the community. My nonprofit organization was founded in 2009, and for the past 16 years, LWDA has become a leader in Performing Arts Curriculum and Arts Education delivery. We specialize in a one-of-a-kind approach in combining an Academic Subject with every style of Dance that we teach. Versed in over 7 different Dance Disciplines, our programming prepares students for the professional world of Dance, while fortifying each participant with an arsenal of: history, professional etiquette, career competency, nutrition education, improved fitness, state content standards of Reading Comprehension, Performing Arts and Physical Education, improved memorization and literacy, well developed Artistry, and more; through our unique brand of cross-disciplinary applications of Dance and Academics. What sets us apart, is our ability to simultaneously provide educational equity and academic learning and support, while engaging students in a high-quality arts outlet that also brings nutritional value, physical and emotional well-being into reach. What is exciting about our program, is the opportunity for students to gain their academic proficiency while engaging directly in their artistic passion! LWDA has always been a mobile entity, serving schools, districts, youth facilities and more, on their respective sites. For the first time, we are fundraising to build our very own headquarters, plus a what we call our Homeless Hub©, in order to support those who need housing, food and counseling assistance and more!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Having a foundation in the Arts has allowed me to have an unequivocally sound understanding of different methods of learning, teaching, and communication. This understanding has also bred a very deep and unique patience that relates to students and adults individually, collectively and calmly at their level, which includes individuals who may possess learning challenges and developmental disabilities.

For those who are early in their journey, and are just developing through their experiences, I would advise that patience is key! Patience with yourself, in order to be confident in how to cope with circumstances, and in order to flush out all possible options before making decisions. And of course, treat every situation as a professional interaction. It will only bolster your acumen and ability to communicate effectively with others in your industry, but also builds respect, integrity and trust.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was to teach me HOW to be prepared. How to prepare means growing skills in effective planning and being able to pivot when things don’t go as planned! This skill is invaluable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://leahwillisdancearts.org/
• Instagram: @leahwillisdancearts
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/LeahWillisDanceArts
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeahWillisDanceArts