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Encouraging Kids through Creative Movement

Legacy School of Dance is the Premier Studio in Supporting your Children’s Dance Dreams

Article by Joanna Tannenbaum

Photography by Katie Kraft Photography

Originally published in Midlothian Lifestyle

For thirteen years, Legacy School of Dance has had the honor of highlighting its talented dancers at an annual end-of-year recital. Each dancer's diligent effort and commitment shine through year after year, from the adorable tiny dancers to the graceful, poignant teenagers. “Being at Legacy for twelve years has fueled my daughter's passion for dance while teaching her the importance of hard work and dedication,” says dance mom Cyreeta Price. “Legacy has been a place where my daughter has been nurtured and cared for from the very beginning. The teachers and other dancers are truly like family, and I couldn't imagine being anywhere else!”

A passion project for co-owners Kimberly Ligatti and Mary Farr-Maynard, Legacy offers ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, musical theater, and lyrical instruction. “Our instructors, with diverse backgrounds in dance, are truly the heart and soul of the studio,” Kimberly explains. “They are the ones who create the lessons and pour their passion into each class.” Dancers can start as young as two years old, learning language development, back-and-forth conversations, and following directions through creative movement and music. "My oldest daughter started at Legacy when she was just three years old," says dance mom Erin Broughton. "She is now going into her eighth year of dance, and my four-year-old daughter has been dancing with Legacy for three years! My girls are safe, happy, supported, and pushed to be the best they can be when they’re there.”

Kimberly and Mary encourage all children new to their studio to participate in a trial class to ensure Legacy and its instructors fit the needs of each dancer before committing to a full year. Combination classes, like Tap/Ballet, are great options for the youngest dancers to experience to determine further what type of dance they like best. Legacy has created in-depth programs for older dancers in every style so that each dancer can pursue their own path. "It is our greatest joy to see our dancers develop into young adults. Our main goal is genuinely to support each dancer with where they are, their desire, and creating a program for them," Kimberly says. "By doing this, we see many dancers grow from the youngest ages and graduate high school."

Legacy School of Dance offers more than an annual recital, from competition teams to summer camps and intensives to parent sneak peeks during the regular season. In addition to being a place of learning, Legacy is a place for fun! Some dancers take dance solely for exercise or pleasure but want to pursue something other than a dance career. That is perfectly fine with Kimberly and Mary. They welcome dancers of all experience levels to their studio and vow to help them on their journey, whatever that may be! “We love what we do and are thankful that we have such great families to share in this journey,” Kimberly says. 

Legacy School of Dance is located at 2441 Colony Crossing Place in Midlothian. To learn more about the upcoming 2023-2024 season, schedule a trial class, or discover the studio's complete list of classes, call (804) 272-9152 or email danceatlegacy@gmail.com. To sign your child up for classes today, visit: legacyschoolofdance.com

“Our family has been at Legacy School of Dance for eleven years. My daughters have thrived at Legacy. They have learned excellent dance techniques in a variety of dance styles. The teachers are loving, kind, and supportive while challenging the dancers to improve. My daughters have created very close friendships at Legacy and love being at the studio. As members of the Legacy dance team, they have had the opportunity to take their dancing to a higher level. They love dancing at the dance competitions and the end-of-the-year recital. Our oldest, now a senior in college, still misses dancing at Legacy. We will be forever grateful for all that Mary, Kim, and the rest of the dance instructors have done for our daughters.” -Kimberly Phillips

“Legacy School of Dance is a fantastic dance studio. The instructors are attentive and caring and work hard to ensure every dancer reaches their highest potential. Kim and Mary are incredibly enthusiastic, and their energy is passed on to their staff and dancers. The studio has a wonderful family feel that brings everyone together. Both of my girls have developed a genuine love for dance. Their technique and ability to pick up choreography improved rapidly from year to year. They enjoy being part of a cohesive group dedicated to a common goal. I attribute all of this to Legacy and the environment that Kim and Mary have created. My daughters' lives have been greatly enriched by being a part of the family at Legacy School of Dance.”  -Tarsha Adkins

"Our number one focus is to meet the students where they are. We have highly competitive dancers looking to study dance in college or even as a profession.  We aim to support their dreams and help them on their journey." - Kimberly R. Ligatti

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