West Valley Dance Academy

Bill Bojangles Robinson Known as the father of tap dance, Robinson is most famous for his appearance in the widely popular movies starring child actress Shirley Temple. In his career, Robinson appeared in a total of 14 films and six Broadway shows, sometimes in prominent roles an enormous triumph for a black actor in his day. In addition, Robinson was the first black solo performer to star on white vaudeville circuits, where he was a headliner for four decades.... Robinson was known for gentle, intentional movement combined with austere musicality. Article credit: https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk//15-black-dancers-wh/ #blackhistorymonth #tapdancehistoryisblackhistory #tapdancers #legends

Master Juba (1825-1852) It’s likely many dancers have never heard of Master Juba due to the fact that his important dance contributions sadly go hand-in-hand with performances that reiterated racist stereotyping. He performed in minstrel shows, an American entertainment in the 19th century that consisted of comic skits and dancing in blackface. Yet, what most people look at skeptically a black freeman performing in minstrel shows that lampooned black people as dim-witted, l...azy and overly happy-go-lucky was actually an achievement for a black man in his time. In the antebellum era when blacks were not allowed to perform with whites, Master Juba was the first to attain acceptance and notoriety as an entertainer. In his career he performed with four well-known early minstrel companies and later became the first expatriate black dancer, moving to Europe and never returning to the United States a huge accomplishment. Yet perhaps most significantly, Master Juba (who was legally named William Henry Lane) was the first known dancer to combine quick footwork with traditional African rhythms, leading to the creation of tap dance and even elements of step dancing. Article credit: blackhistorymonth.org.uk #blackhistorymonth #masterjuba #tapdancehistoryisblackhistory #tapdance

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Happy New Year dance family! Classes resume Sunday, Jan 3rd #wvda #westvalleydance #happynewyear #danceclass

Some flashy, toe-tapping holiday cheer from the The Dance Inn’s Legacy Dancers This is where Miss Lisa and Mr Rony used to teach before moving to the west coast!

Happy Halloween! #twinning #cheetahprint #wvda #westvalleydance #costumeweek #happyhalloween #everycostumehasamaskin2020

Costume week continues! I spy some 2020 recital costumes, getting a second wear! #wvda #westvalleydance #costumeweek #happyhalloween

Costume week continues - twinning in adult tap! #costumeweek #wvda #westvalleydance

Don’t forget your costumes this week!!! And enjoy the costume week cuteness from years past #throwback #wvda #westvalleydance

SUNDAY-SATURDAY (10/25-10/31) Students attending in-studio OR from home join us in dressing up for costume week! If attending a studio class please wear your normal dance shoes and mask ... #happyhalloween #costumeweek #wvda #westvalleydance

The show must go on!

If you’ve never seen this company here’s your chance to become a fan for life!

Happy Fall! Need new dancewear or shoes? Schedule an appointment today for a fitting or to shop our in-stock dresses, shoes, and more! *ORDER DEADLINE (for anything we don’t have in stock) is Friday Oct. 9*... #wvda #westvalleydance #danceclass #shopping #happyfall #autumn #october