About Us
Helen Johnson – Owner and Director
Helen Johnson began her ballet career at the age of 7 and trained at the world-renowned Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern and Lyrical. She was a member of the West Chester Ballet Theatre and danced principal roles in full-length ballet productions within the company and abroad. She spent her Summers at intensive programs on Scholarship with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Houston Ballet (3 years) and Virginia School of the Arts and performed with the Rose Tree Summer Concert Series and the Philadelphia Opera Company. Upon graduation of High School, she attended Penn State University and was a part of the Dance Team and Vole, the Penn State Ballet Club. After Graduation, Helen began a successful career in Real Estate and also began to teach at the South Riding Dance Academy as a competition ballet teacher. In 2007, she created the Ballerina Babies program there for children ages 18 months through 5 years and from there, Tiny Toes Dance Academy was born! Helen resides in Leesburg with her husband, and daughter Kayden born in September of 2008.
Lori Thompson – South Riding Site Director
Lori began her lifelong love of dance at the age of 3 in a small town South of Richmond, VA. She has studied and taught all levels of ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical and theatre dance and is certified in Pilates. She attended Old Dominion University where she received her BA in Speech Communications and a minor in Dance. She was also a College Cheerleader and danced with the ODU Ballet. Lori began her professional dance career performing at Paramount's Kings Dominion; she then spent 2 years on the "high-seas" dancing onboard Royal Caribbean and Regency Cruise Lines. She then continued her professional career dancing in production shows that took her from Atlantic City, NJ to Minneapolis, MN to Biloxi, MS and finally to New Orleans, LA. When Lori was not performing she was teaching dance at various studios. Once she was ready to end her professional dance career she relocated back to her hometown. There she continued her teaching at Thomas Dale High School, where she helped develop the dance program for the Specialty Center for the Arts. Before moving to Chantilly, Lori was the "Wellness Coordinator" for The Hermitage at Cedarfield, a Retirement community, where she taught exercise, developed wellness programs and planned health and wellness events for the residents. Lori has been teaching for South Riding Dance Academy for the past 2 years and Lori enjoys teaching all levels and ages but has a special love for teaching the young dancer. Lori has 2 children: Taylor who is 7 and Michael who is 1 and a wonderful Husband named Marty.
FAQs
What can we wear?
A leotard, tights, and ballet shoes are what we mostly see, but are not required! We have tutus of all shapes and sizes ready to be worn during class too (free of charge)!
What about inclement weather?
We follow the Loudoun County School system. If school is on a 1 or 2 hour delay, all Tiny Toes Dance Academy classes will be on as scheduled. If school is closed, we are closed. You may make up missed classes in any age-appropriate class. Please feel free to call or email if you have questions!
Is there a make-up and refund policy?
You can absolutely come to another class at any time to make up your missed session! If you have to leave us early from a month, we can suspend your account until you decide to come dance with us again.
Can we watch?
Sometimes our classes with 18 month olds – 2.5 year olds need that extra hand (Mommy, Daddy, or Caretaker) so participation is encouraged but not mandatory. For 2.5 years old and up we are typically more independent and can dance by ourselves (but you can always peek through the door to see how beautiful we are dancing)!
