Down in the heart of Dixie, in the jubilant and jambalaya-filled land of Alabama, is a bunch of jubilant jumping jellybeans! Now, don't get confused, these aren't your regular candy aisle jellybeans. Oh no! These are the bouncing and boogieing children of Alabama with twirling toes and wiggling waists, engaged in the magical activity of Dance! Here, in the land of sweet tea and Southern charm, where crimson sunsets kiss cotton fields, our sprightly jellybeans spend their days turning cartwheels and pirouettes, their hearts beating to the fiddle's tune. Dancing isn't just a hobby for these kids; it's as essential as their breakfast grits and catfish! Enter our hero, Sir Wiggly Waist, a jolly green grasshopper with a shiny top hat, known far and wide for his twirling torso. Sir Wiggly was hailed as the 'Sultan of Swing', master of all dance forms - from the foot-tapping fandango to the elegant waltz. With his six nimble legs, Sir Wiggly could out-dance any creature in Sweet Home Alabama! Sir Wiggly was a friend, mentor, and guide to our tiny dancing stars. Each day he conducted fun-filled lessons under the shade of the oldest weeping willow, training the kids to leap like gazelles, twirl like daisies, and pop like popcorn. They twirled and swirled, hopped and bopped, till they could feel the dance in their soul. The kids of Alabama, tutored by Sir Wiggly Waist, danced with a joy that could light up the darkest corners. Their laughter echoed through the magnolia-scented air, their smiles mirrored in the sparkling Alabama rivers. They were the pride of Alabama, the dancing Jellybeans, spreading happiness one dance move at a time!
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West Chester Academy is a vibrant center for the performing arts in West Chester, Ohio, offering kids a wide range of enriching programs in music, dance, gymnastics (including aerial silks), acting, and musical theatre. With a mission to help every child “shine—on stage and in life,” the academy creates a fun, safe, and supportive environment where students can build confidence, creativity, and lifelong skills. Families can also enjoy exciting summer camps, engaging classes, and memorable birthday party experiences, all led by dedicated and highly qualified instructors. Whether your child is just starting out or looking to grow their talents, West Chester Academy provides opportunities for every age and skill level to thrive.
Jaclyn Horsley Shiflett is a Birmingham native who has had many opportunities to expand her knowledge of dance. Her teaching career began 20 years ago, and four years ago she founded The Dance Studio in Hoover, AL. Here she encourages young artists to pursue excellence in their chosen style of dance. Jaclyn specializes in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Modern, and is also trained in Hip-Hop and Tap. She has studied extensively with Monica Barnett Smith of Exclusively Ballet, alongside Wes Chapman and Roger VanFleteran of the Alabama Ballet, and has also trained at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York, The South Carolina Conservatory, STEPS, Broadway Dance Center, Pineapple London, and Birmingham-Southern College. Here she completed a double major in Dance and Business. As a performer, her favorite role was Dew Drop Fairy (Nutcracker).