Dance Speaks Performing Arts Academy

Dance Speaks Performing Arts Academy offers instruction in classical ballet, neoclassical ballet, contemporary dance, lyrical dance, jazz, and modern dance. The program also includes a Tiny Tots Program, a Contemporary Worship class, advanced ballet technique classes, dance and performing arts mentorship programs, employee fitness programs, and physical health and movement therapy.

• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Price: We offer sibling and military discounts. Use code SIBLING or MILITARY at checkout.

Dance Speaks Performing Arts Academy is a military spouse owned family business. The academy’s mission is to expand dance and performing arts exposure throughout all socioeconomic levels and communities, and to connect classical performing arts to communities that have been under-exposed to these programs. The mission also includes advocating for improved diversity in ballet and all genres of dance, welcoming students of all experience levels and ethnicities, and refusing no student with the desire to study at the academy because of financial circumstances.

Students of the dance program receive professional instruction in classical and neoclassical ballet, contemporary and lyrical dance, jazz, and modern dance with a focus on correct body alignment and placement, strength, discipline, and flexibility. They follow a unified curriculum based in classical techniques including Cechetti, Vaganova, ABT, Horton, Dunham, and Fosse. The program emphasizes coordination, creativity, musicality, the foundation of ballet technique and vocabulary, critical thinking and listening skills, physical wellness, comprehension, confidence, self-expression, and correct classroom attire and etiquette. Dance Speaks Performing Arts Academy specializes in ballet, contemporary and lyrical, jazz, and modern dance, and states that it illuminates pathways for the young, and young at heart, to the performing arts.

Owner and founder Lené Bostick has over 15 years of experience as a professional choreographer, dancer, and dance educator. She received a scholarship to Dance Theatre of Harlem at the age of 15, later became a member of the Ailey certificate program, and has danced professionally with Alaska Dance Theatre, The Long Leaf Opera, Riddick Dance, Fletcher Nickerson Jazz Co., and Project Dance NY. Lené attended UNLV in Las Vegas where she majored in dance and choreography, and she obtained a B.S. in Business Management from Shaw University. As director, Lené has implemented dance and performing arts mentorship programs across the U.S. and with military affiliated organizations, with 90% of these programs still active in Alaska, Nevada, North Carolina, and Virginia. She has developed and implemented dance education curriculum into a Charter/Home-School Engagement Program as physical health and movement therapy, and created employee fitness programs for a military veteran and spouse employment corporation.

Jessica Marshall is a U.S. Navy veteran, certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and experienced martial artist. She received her personal trainer and nutrition coach certifications from the International Sports Science Association (ISSA), has been training with the United Karate Federation in Kenpo style martial arts for the past five years, is CPR/AED certified, and completed education as a medical assistant. Jessica applies her physical fitness and movement background as one of the Tiny Tots instructors, is training as a teaching assistant in the Contemporary Worship class, and attends the academy’s advanced ballet technique classes.

The leadership team includes Lené Bostick as Owner and Founder, Jessica Marshall as instructor for the Tiny Tots Program and teaching assistant for Contemporary Worship, and Jayla Morris and Kennedy Marshall as teaching assistants in the DSPAA Youth Ambassador Academy. Dance Speaks Performing Arts Academy states that it makes it a priority to partner with small, veteran owned, and minority businesses in support of entrepreneurship in the community. The academy notes that it is now enrolling for 2026.

Last updated July 17, 2026.