Hi there! My name is Faith West, I am the founder, creator and teacher of Praise Him Dance Academy.
I have studied over 7 years of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, character, tap, contemporary, pointe and Christian dance. I have an Associates degree in Liberal Arts and danced at Sweet Briar College from 2022-2023. I've also had several years experience in theatre productions where I performed in plays like Romeo and Juliet, Little Women, Peter Pan, several other classics and church plays.
I started PHDA because I saw a need in my community. I saw girls leaving dance behind as they became older due to several reasons including vulgar music, immodest costumes and dance choreography that was not pleasing to God or age appropriate. I was asked by a few people in my community if I would start a group that girls could come and use dance for worship.
The group quickly grew and I knew I would need to start a studio. I named it Praise Him Dance Academy because I believe dance can be used as a form of worship to glorify God. Dance is so much more than a way to move, it's an outlet to express yourself, a way to find community, and build your self confidence.
In classes students are taught technique specific to their class and age. Classes use Christian and instrumental music as well as age appropriate holiday and pop music. Every costume and choreography is chosen carefully to be sure everything is modest and age appropriate.