Biography
The Leah Prunty Dance Arts Non Profit Youth Dance Organization was founded on August 6, 2009 and established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on March 18, 2010. This organization was created to place arts programming back to middle schools and high schools that have had their funding and/or arts programming cut. We build partnerships with schools, communities and cities to foster the creative talents of the youth, bridging the gaps between performing arts and academics. The organization, through its programs, also addresses the issues of reversing the drop-out rate among teens, reducing adolescent obesity, and adding much needed jobs to communities we serve throughout Los Angeles County.
Our Mission:
Our mission at LPDA is to positively impact our students so that they become healthy, well-rounded, inspired and accountable youth that will grow into intelligent, articulate and creative individuals who joyfully share their artistic passion, while actively striving to support and improve their communities.
Q: How do we accomplish our mission?
A: We place full and engaging performing arts programs into middle schools and high schools throughout Los Angeles County that lack them. Our program is an artistic outlet that works hand-in-hand with each host-school, using cross-disciplinary applications of dance and academics. For example: Ballet corresponds with geometry, Hip-Hop with human biology and more.
We invest time, resources, technique, discipline, performance etiquette and pertinent tools that prepare young artists for their pursuit of professional dance careers.
We network and solidify partnerships with local businesses that are passionate about sustaining after school programs and arts education.
We help students learn retention skills for their regular academic classes, in order to improve their test preparation abilities and enhance their GPA.
We offer a health conscious program called The LPDA Healthy Habits Program, where we focus on introducing healthy food options and educate young dancers on the value of habitually planning and properly preparing meal servings. Positive personal health, gradually eliminating adolescent obesity and diabetes, and improving healthy brain function are key results that LPDA strives for in this program.
Our vision is:
Instilling positive values and invaluable life skills.
Encouraging and fostering natural talents.
Imparting and sharing individual and chronicled dance history.
Bridging gaps between the pioneers of dance and new age, innovative dance styles if the current era.
Building career competencies as well as marketing and business knowledge in the field of dance.
Teaching dance discipline with an air of integrity, inspiration and FUN!!"