Ballerina and Military Wife Adds a Ballet School to the U.S. Air Force Base

• Barksdale Ballet School

Having an association with the U.S. Air Force is instinctively recognized as being a part of the most honorable organizations in the country. Yukari Brown, ballet instructor and military wife, of the Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier Parish, LA has created and opened a ballet studio for military children from ages 3 to 15 years old on base called, the Barksdale Ballet School.

• Barksdale Ballet School’s First Recital

On Saturday, May 27, 2017, the Barksdale Ballet School presented their first ballet recital at the Hoban Hall on the Barksdale Air Force Base. This recital was closed to the Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana community and only accessible for military families. All dancers were able to show off their costumes and choreography learned by their instructor, Mrs. Brown. The Barksdale Ballet School’s first recital was supported by a bake sale fundraiser, Aleksandra Faith Photography in Haughton, Louisiana, and beauty blogger, Ashley Early.

• Ballerina’s Summer Camp 2017

Once the dancers received a short break after the recital, it was immediately time for the 2017 Ballerina’s Summer Camp. The camp is designed for girls ages to 3 to 10 years old and activities include: ballet lessons, a performance, learning makeup tips, ballet history, costume designs and dress up days. Session one of the ballet camp began Monday, June 5th and it concludes Saturday, June 10th with a performance. The second session of the ballerina camp will begin Monday, July 10th and will end Saturday, July 15th followed by a special performance from the participants.

“I have dedicated myself completely to the art of dance through ballet. As a student and a teacher, it is my dream to share ballet with the world,” said Barksdale Ballet School’s Founder and Instructor, Yukari Brown.

• About Yukari Brown

Mrs. Brown attended the Japan Women’s College of Physical Education in Tokyo, Japan and received her B.S. in Physical Education for Dance. Additionally, she completed her certification as a P.E. instructor for the junior high and high school level. Outside of instructing students on the military base, Mrs. Brown is currently a dancer for the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet, and she teaches ballet classes off base.