A Brief History of the Little Rock School of Dance
Little Rock School of Dance had its beginnings in 1976 in a one-room space in West Little Rock and has grown to become a four-room building, also in West Little Rock, with over 300 active students, three fully-equipped dance rooms, and a spacious front lobby where parents can wait, enjoy snacks, and watch their children learning to dance on a newly installed TV monitor.
For thirty-one years, Mrs. Shelia Vaught was the owner/director, and teacher. As a result of her dedication, hard work, and commitment to her students, Little Rock School of Dance has become one of the most successful and well-known dance studios in the Central Arkansas area. In fact, it is now officially the oldest operating dance studio in Little Rock, and in 2011 celebrates its 35th anniversary.
Under the direction of Mrs. Vaught, Little Rock School of Dance performed at numerous events, including 34 years at “Arkansas Riverfest”, “Hope of America” with Bob Hope and Marie Osmond, “GoodMorning, Arkansas”, many local festivals and celebrations, and even a performance while on a Disney cruise. In addition to performing, many students are members of competition teams and have won numerous awards and trophies. Little Rock School of Dance is also associated with the Southern Association of Dance Masters, and the students attend two conventions annually, one in the fall and one in the summer.
The truly rewarding performances come from all the shows the dancers put on at nursing homes, schools, and retirement facilities. The joy that comes from seeing these audiences smile, clap, and interact with the dancers is beyond description. These performances fulfill the goals of Little Rock School of Dance, which is to teach and inspire children and adults through the art of dance while also showing how important it is to give back to the community.
The traditions and values of Mrs. Vaught and Little Rock School of Dance have been passed on to Ms. Cari DuVall, who bought the Studio in 2007. Ms. DuVall had been a student, student/ teacher, part-time staff member, full-time staff member, and now owner, director, and instructor. She is following in Shelia’s “tap steps” and is determined to maintain the goals of teaching dance to any child or adult who wants to participate in this ageless art form, while maintaining a fun- filled atmosphere. In the words of famous dancer/choreographer Martha Graham:
“Dance is the hidden language of the soul”.