Metrics and Feedback
At LWDA, we want our work to speak for itself. Each and every person we interact with becomes a vessel for the entire experience that our curriculum has to offer, and we strive to ensure that each experience is phenomenal, memorable, and impactful for the future. Below, you will find chronicled Metrics and Feedback from our clients, both youth as well as adults, that have participated in LWDA programming. More experiences are constantly being added. The proof lies within an intrinsic motto as well as the real-time results: "The Value of LWDA Far Outweighs Our Cost." To view more first-hand accounts and feedback from clients and patrons, click on the GreatNonprofits Banner on the bottom of the screen.
Carmella Y. Simpson
C. Simpson & Co. Tailoring & Designs
4144 Lindell Blvd, #321
St. Louis, Missouri 63108
Professional Feedback
2018
Writer: Professional with expertise in this field
"Nothing is better for our children than to teach them to move, to experience the freedom of motion, and to believe in their own power to take charge of their lives. That what LWDA does. This is a gift to children to be the authors of their own joy. Leah Willis Dance Arts is a treasure."
Michael Willis, FAIA
Professional Feedback
2018
Writer: Professional with expertise in this field
"My experience with this Nonprofit Organization has been highly satisfying and greatly rewarding. I am the Owner of the We Rock The Spectrum Kids Gym in St. Ann, Missouri. The CEO of Leah Willis Dance Arts and I, collaborated together and created a never-before seen, neurologically enhancing program for children who live with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Program is called LWDA Time To Fly!© This uplifted my world, because it positively affects my son. I think I have to say-I have to approach it from my personal experience. Anything that reaches my child, anything that helps him to engage with other people is a SUCCESS. And it is HUGELY successful. It went from him needing to not be with people, to actually being engaged and wanting more. And it happened within the span of what, 30 minutes? IT MEANT EVERYTHING TO ME."
Donor Feedback
2018
"I am the Store Manager of the Discount Dance Supply located in Mission Viejo, California. We provide high quality Dancewear worldwide. We are the site for Dance Teachers, Dancers, Fitness & Health, Careers, Auditions, and more. Mrs. Willis is setting her students on the path to greatness in Dance and in life through her program. It’s been a pleasure working with Mrs. Leah Willis. I am happy to Donate to this Amazing Program. It’s wonderful to know that these donations will help out all Dancers in their future careers."
Donor Feedback
2018
"I am a Store Manager at The Southtown Home Depot in St. Louis, MO. It was my pleasure to Donate to Leah Willis Dance Arts. Their values closely relate to our own, which begin with Trust, honesty and integrity. We do a lot around the holidays, but we are very appreciative when organizations have a genuine "inner smile" and do all they can to help kids."
Donor Feedback
2018
"I am a Store and Community Outreach Manager at Trader Joe's in Brentwood, Missouri. I'm Glad we had the opportunity to be a part of LWDA's endeavor. Their Mission resembles our own. With a collaboration like this that would actively benefit our communities, it was our pleasure to Donate and give our support. We aim to be your #1 grocery store. We always want to be engaged with the community."
Parent Feedback
2017
"Because of this program, my son is willing to do better in school. It's motivation for him, to participate in this activity. I'm very happy that I have less driving to do, since he's already there. They bring their program to my son's facility. Very helpful."
Parent Feedback
2017
"Leah Willis Dance Arts builds confidence in each child and inspires them to do better. Their program meets our requirements as parents by allowing each child to express themselves."
Parent Feedback
2016
"To tell the truth, before they started here I was so worried about them all. Now they are focused, and seem to be so much more happy. Also SCHOOL WORK HAS IMPROVED 100%. Oh yes, my son loves it and my daughter is starting to be more of a social person...."
Youth Feedback
2016
"This program means a lot to me because dancing is my favorite thing to do, and I want to grow up and be a professional dancer like Ms. Leah. I felt I was given a whole lot of respect while I was in the Program and she taught me some dance moves that I couldn't get, respectfully. Ms. Leah is just amazing. She brightens me and she taught me new amazing moves."
Professional Feedback
2016
Writer: Professional with expertise in this field
"This is a life-altering nonprofit organization. The curriculum that they offer gives children an outlet not just in Dance but in life in general. It teaches teamwork, hard work, and allows them to see what progress looks like. It shows the parents how creative, focused, and positively daring their children can be, and that they can achieve something great. The feeling that these children have being part of the LWDA program is second to none. The Innovative Arts program gives children the opportunity to connect dance with academics. This organization helps children to learn the fundamentals of movement as well as the science behind movement. It is a worthy investment in the children's futures. This organization exposes children to professional elements in the larger Performing Arts Community such as theater, professional artist workshops, as well as performances at venues that they themselves host. LWDA also gives them a head start on creating their own professional career portfolio through photo shoots and building a choreography repertoire. I recommend this nonprofit organization highly, as it gives life to all organizations that do not have Performing Arts Outlets. Organizations like this do not come around often."
Volunteer Feedback
2016
Writer: Volunteer
"I am so grateful to be a part of the LWDA family. Being able to help LWDA build a new foundation in a new community has given me the chance to grow as a professional and as a person. The passion that Leah Willis and her husband have in changing the youth is contagious. You can’t help but want to give back as much as you can. I grew up playing cello and dancing, and I believe that giving children the opportunity to develop through the arts is an amazing thing. I hope that LWDA will continue to change the world through dance, education and determination."
Parent Feedback
2011
"My daughter's middle school no longer has the arts programs and classes that it once had several years ago when my older child was a student there. She loves singing and dancing and these opportunites were no longer offered at school.
I was so happy to learn of LWDA. Having the LWDA program at school is a great thing, words cannot express my joy that my daughter has this opportunity. The program teaches more than dance, which makes them better students and builds character. I love LWDA."
Professional Feedback
2011
Writer: Professional with expertise in this field
"Leah has devoted her life and time to the non-profit organization to help children. I had the privilege to be in class with her. We did a project in our Marketing class to promote the organization. She was an inspiration in class. We told the class how we were going to help the children that were unable to have economic security. We wanted to make a difference in the community. Children need financial and emotional support to make positive changes in their lives. We want the children to succeed and go to college. The drop out rate is extremely high and Leah is trying to make a difference. She has a family, but she is willing to put in the time and effort to help the community."
Volunteer Feedback
2011
Writer: Volunteer