Joe Clements and Tailor Marshall practicing with the barre. (photo by Moises Vargas) 
Lauren Kochheim and Shae Reyna practicing on the barre. They are in the advanced ballet class at LBCC (photo by Moises Vargas) 
Lauren Kochheim practicing on the barre. (Photo by Moises Vargas) 
Joe Clements warming up on the barre during the advanced ballet class. (photo by Moises Vargas) 
Advanced ballet students stretching on the barre (photo by Mosies Vargas) 
A portrait of Shvawn Bausley. Bausley is enrolled in the dance program at LBCC and recently graduated from Cal-State Dominguez. (Photo by Sophia Cobb) 
“I always felt discouraged because I am not super feminine but I do love ballet and its nice that now theres more language around gender and teachers are understanding of that.” -Shae Reyna (photo by Sophia Cobb 
Group photo of the advanced ballet dancers. Featured from left to right: Shvawn Bausley, Kamarea Taylor, Natalie Carrera, Lauren Kochhiem, Michelle Galvan, Joe Clements, Shae Reyna (photo by Marlon Villa) 
Shvawn Bausley performing a jump. Shvawn has been dancing since she was a toddler and continues to dance at LBCC. (photo by 
Joe Clements performing a jump. Clements hopes to go to dance school after leaving the dance program here at LBCC (photo by Maisie Vilchis). 
Natalie Carrera preforming a jump called a grand jete. Carrera is in the advanced ballet class at LBCC. (photo by Maisie Vilchis) 
A protrait of Natalie Carrera. Natalie is an aspiring actress and long time dancer. (photo by Sophia Cobb) 
A group photo of the advanced ballet dancers. From left to right: Shvawn Bausley, Kamarea Taylor, Joe Clements, Natalie Carrera, Michelle Galvan, Shae Reyna, Lauren Kochhiem (photo by Marlon Villa) 
A portrait of Joe Clements. Clements is a former computer engineer who recently found his passion for ballet in the LBCC dance program (photo by Sophia Cobb). 
Shae Reyna in a warrior pose. (photo by Sophia Cobb) 
A portrait of Lauren Kochheim. Kochheim is in the dance program at LBCC who would like to be a professional modern dancer (photo by Sophia Cobb). 
Michelle Galvan doing a jump. Michelle is in the advanced ballet class at LBCC (photo by Marlon Villa). 
Michelle Galvan, a ballerina in LBCCs advance ballet class. (photo by Sophia Cobb) 
Portrait of Kamarea Taylor. Taylor started dancing as a toddler at her church. Now Taylor is a choreographer and dance instructor for kids at her church as well a professional dancer. (photo by Sophia Cobb) 
Group photo of the advanced ballet dancers. Featured from left to right: Shvawn Bausley, Kamarea Taylor, Natalie Carrera, Lauren Kochhiem, Michelle Galvan, Joe Clements, Shae Reyna (photo by Marlon Villa)
The LBCC dance program has cultivated an environment for dancers of all backgrounds to feel welcomed, included, and confident in their abilities while also breaking the biases often seen in traditional ballet.
Kiarra Kinghorn, who has been a dance instructor for the school, teaches several different styles such as ballet, modern, and jazz. Kinghorn has set the “barre” for what it means to be a dancer in this day and age by providing a safe space for anyone who is passionate about dance.
“I have a philosophy that dance is for everyone, I think it’s really changing in recent years,” Kinghorn said.
Behind the doors of the newly built Q building, you will find a pair of ballet slippers being worn by ballerinas from every walk of life. Whether you’re seeking a new hobby, reigniting an old passion, or just looking for a different way to exercise, the dance studios at LBCC have a place for you.
“I sort of had an experience like many have had, a lot of abusive teachers or authoritarian choreographers and I am trying to change that. I think it’s wrong, I try to open it (dance) up to people who haven’t had it and have been disenfranchised from taking a dance class,” Kinghorn said.
Joe Clements is a 29-year-old returning college student that formerly studied computer engineering. Clements started dancing a few years ago but had never done ballet before. Although he had been fascinated by ballet his whole life, he was reluctant to try it until he signed up for his first ballet class this semester.
“I saw how happy the other people were dancing and I was so scared of doing it that I just wanted to try it and it really set me free once I did,” Clements said.
Clements mentioned how LBCC is one of the few places he could think of that offers ballet classes to adults who are just getting into it. Now Clements hopes to go to dance school and share his newfound passion with others along the way.
“I always tell people who are looking to develop themselves to pick a creative outlet that you’re not comfortable doing and for me, that was dancing,” Clements said.
In the past, classical forms of dance like ballet, have been known to be restrictive. Dancers are highly criticized for their bodies and overall appearance. This can be intimidating for people who don’t fit into the description of what a typical ballerina would look like.
According to a study titled “Body dysmorphic disorder and eating disorders in elite professional female ballet dancers” by the Annals of Clinical Psychology, body dysmorphic disorder and eating disorders are more prevalent in ballet dancers than in the general population.
Despite the negative aspects revolving around physical appearance and lack of representation for women of color, Shvawn Bausley, a 34-year-old Black student who has been dancing since the age of three continues to be passionate about dance.
“I have always been in love with dance. I never had the body for it or was able to pursue it, but I’ve never been able to give it up. It’s helped me mentally, it’s helped me physically, and it’s helped me overcome things,” Bausley said.
Taylor explained how her fascination with dance as a kid first was inspired by women like Debbie Allen and Katherine Dunham. Both are dancers of color that have left an imprint on dance history forever during the 20th century.
“We don’t have teachers, we have dance moms. It’s not a facade when we say it’s family here, we truly and legitimately care about each other,” said LBCC ballerina Tailor Marshall.
Instructors like Stephanie Powell and Kiarra Kinghorn keep close tabs on their dancers, ensuring that they feel confident in themselves and their abilities. The instructors check in with their students to make sure they are taking care of their bodies and not over-exerting themselves to ensure that the dancers can continue to dance for as long as they please.
If you’re interested in joining the LBCC dance program, several classes are still open and available for the upcoming summer and fall sessions. Most of the dance classes do not have a prerequisite and can be taken in no particular order.