Best Performing Arts Group Stamford Near Me

4worldlovers: Locust Performing Arts Center of Stamford, CT, established in 2010 (LPAC) is a professional dance studio that offers dance classes for ages 3 through adult in Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Creative Movement and Adult Dance with opportunities to perform in studio showcases and an Annual Dance Concert. LPAC also houses several performance companies: Locust Contemporary Dance Works I & II, Locust Preparatory Company, Locust Lab, Locust Jazz Dance Collective, Hip Hop's Finest, FOCUS Hip Hop Pre-Professional Program, Kool Kidz Jr. Hip Hop Troupe, Locust Elite Dance (L.E.D.) Competitive Dance and Harmony Nation Anti-Bullying Program. Professional dance lessons are available in both group settings as well as private one-on-one instruction. LPAC also offers Party Packages.

Are you ready to learn how to dance? Please contact us or check our schedule for times and availability.

IN THE NEWS: LPAC's anti-bullying group HARMONY NATION FEATURED ON T.V.

Jimmy Locust has worked with top entertainment industry stars such as Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, Quincy Jones and Debbie Allen. He has been featured in iconic music videos and films including Rhythm Nation 1814 and the wedding dance sequence of Coming to America. He has performed at the Grammy Awards, Academy Awards and MTV Video Music Awards. He was one of the original members of the world-renowned Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago company, where he also co-choreographed with Jazz dance legend Gus Giordano. Mr. Locust was one of the head choreographers for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta (opening and closing ceremonies) and was nominated for an American Choreography Award in 2001 for his work on the Warner Brothers’ network television show Nikki. Locust has choreographed commercials for both international and national companies, including Sanyo in Japan with Nicholas Cage and Rapid Advance in the U.S. He worked on the Justin Bieber Tour in 2010 and choreographed for the CW Television Network’s The Next with hosts John Rich, Joe Jonas, Nelly and Gloria Estefan. He has been a studio owner and master teacher for over fifteen years. Locust is also Founder and Director of Harmony Nation, an educational anti-bullying program that performs for schools and youth organizations, and most recently started the non-profit Locust Foundation. Locust has partnered with numerous community and non-profit organizations including HORIZONS, Reach Prep, Domus, Chester-Addison Community Center, Curtain Call and the Stamford Family YMCA to choreograph theater productions, design curricula and provide scholarships. In addition, he directs Locust Contemporary Dance Works, a youth company which performs in New York City, as well as Hip Hop's Finest and FOCUS Hip Hop pre-professional groups. He is an Associate Director of Axam Dance Theatre Experience in Atlanta, Georgia and is a returning faculty member for the renowned Boca Ballet Theatre's summer residency program in Florida. Locust was also selected to be an adjudicator and Artist-in-Residence for Jewish Community Center (JCC) Maccabi Games Artsfests across the country from 2015-2019. Locust’s multi-faceted lifestyle is chronicled in his series Locust Under 5’.

Kylie Ashlund is a Stamford, CT native and former student who danced under Jimmy Locust and at LPAC from the time of its inception. She was a member of Kool Kidz, FOCUS Hip Hop, Parade Team and Hip Hop’s Finest and was in a music video choreographed by Jimmy. Kylie is excited and grateful to share her passion and love of dance with others and help students express themselves, just as she was able to do, by being in the LPAC community.

Lauren Nicole Sherwood is very excited to be joining the LPAC teaching staff. After many years dancing with Jimmy (and watching her son dance at LPAC) she is thrilled to work alongside the fabulous teachers here. Lauren earned her B.F.A. in Fine Arts Studies from the University of Arizona where she created her degree program based on artist outreach, theatre/dance education and business. She also received her M.F.A. in Theatre Management from Florida State University. Lauren has done over 100 musical productions throughout her career as a director, choreographer, costume designer and performer. She works with many local schools and theatre companies making art accessible to all. Lauren looks forward to a fabulous dance season here at LPAC.