Our Story

10 Lords A Leaping was founded in 2018 with a simple but powerful dream: to ensure that every child has the opportunity to experience the joy, confidence, and life-changing benefits of dance, regardless of their financial circumstances or abilities.

That dream began when our founder, Cari Allison, watched a group of dancers with special needs perform on stage. Witnessing their confidence, determination, and pure joy inspired a calling to create a program where children and young adults with special needs could experience the same sense of belonging, accomplishment, and self-expression through dance.

In the beginning, our organization was small. A handful of dedicated volunteers met to explore ways to make dance more affordable for families while building a special needs program that our community desperately needed. We knew the vision was bigger than ourselves—we just needed to find a way to make it a reality.

When the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill, we chose not to let our mission stop with it. Instead, our board of directors came together with renewed purpose and determination. We reimagined what fundraising could look like and created events that not only supported our mission but also brought our community together. From our beloved Princess Party to our annual Egg My Yard fundraiser and many other community events, every dollar raised has helped remove barriers and create opportunities for children to dance.

Today, because of the generosity of our donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners, our Movers of the Heart program provides FREE dance classes for children and young adults with special needs. Beyond weekly classes, our dancers have the opportunity to perform on stage and participate in an annual competition production—experiences that build confidence, foster friendships, encourage physical activity, and celebrate every dancer's unique abilities.

Our commitment extends beyond our special needs program. Through scholarships and financial assistance, we also help make dance accessible for families who may otherwise be unable to participate, ensuring that cost is never the reason a child misses out on the opportunity to grow through the arts.

What started as one person's calling has grown into a community-wide mission fueled by compassion, generosity, and the belief that every child deserves a place to belong. Every fundraiser, every donation, every volunteer, and every partnership helps us open doors for more dancers and more families.

As we look toward the future, our vision continues to grow. With the support of our community, we will continue expanding our programs, reaching more families, and creating a place where every dancer—regardless of ability or financial circumstance—can discover confidence, build lifelong friendships, and experience the transformative power of dance.

Together, we are creating opportunities, changing lives, and proving that when a community comes together with purpose, every child has the chance to shine.