By Ryne Turke
From The Bowl to sold out collegiate stadiums, Leah Hoffman has danced on the biggest stages in America. We caught up with Leah to talk about her amazing dancing career and what lies ahead.
Q: Hey, Leah! Love to see Jacksonville people doing amazing things! Sounds like you’re living your best life right now! Take me back to your early days, what got you into dancing?
A: I started dancing at 2½. My whole family danced, tumbled and cheered at Stevens School of Dance and Gymnastics, now Legacy Dance & Tumbling Complex. I am trained in all different styles of dance. I grew up going to different dance competitions and conventions. I was on JMS [Jacksonville Middle School] Cheer for two years, and Jacksonville [Jacksonville High School] J’ettes for four years and captain for two years. My senior year we became the 2023 IHSA State Champions in the 1A division.
Q: JHS has had a tremendous run of talented dancers and teams over the last two decades! What was it like being involved in cheer and J’ettes?
A: I enjoyed continuing my journey with cheer and getting to experience JHS football games. J’ettes pushed me as a dancer as well as a leader and choreographer. As a captain, I learned how to look at dances differently and lead a team through hard times and through victories.
Q: You’ve achieved some incredible feats at the collegiate level as part of the Indiana University Dance Team. What’s life like as a RedStepper?
A: Being on a D1 college dance team is a dream and I still can not believe I have the privilege of representing Indiana University. Dancers never have an off-season. Dancers audition in April and we then start summer training. We then go right into football, then basketball and competition. Our season ends in April and picks right back up. We perform at IU football, basketball and soccer games. We also host clinics for middle school and high school dances.
Q: What accomplishments are you most proud of during your time with the IU dance program?
A: I love performing at Assembly Hall where the Hoosiers play basketball. The audience has so much energy and it’s so fun to dance there, but my favorite is competing at NDA College Nationals in Daytona, Florida. We perform in the jazz and spirit rally division. We made history this past April by placing in the top 10 in jazz, the most competitive category, and becoming National Champions in the D1A Spirit Rally division.
Q: Sounds like you’re putting together quite the dancing resume. What goals do you have for yourself and the IU dance team this coming season?
A: I want to continue bring Hoosier spirit to every performance and game day. For competition it would be bringing two great routines to Daytona. Hopefully be in the Top 5 for Jazz and go back to back in the Spirit Rally division.
Q: What are your biggest strengths as a dancer?
A: I would say my biggest strengths as a dancer is
technique, movement quality, leadership, and being a great teammate.
Q: Do you plan on staying involved with dance after college? If so, fill us in!
A: I definitely plan to stay involved in dance after college in anyway I can. I hope to keep helping and provide choreography for Legacy Dance Complex and the Jacksonville J’ettes. Jacksonville has great opportunities for dancers of all levels and ages. Many studios and camps that kids can go to learn dance and compete. I wouldn’t be where I am now without my teachers at Legacy Dance & Tumbling Complex!!
I hope to also continue my dance career as a NFL or NBA dancer or coach a high school or college team!!
