Shreveport dance prodigy, nine year-old Calvin Alexander, on Strand Theater stage Sat, Ap 26, in Dance His High Praise

When Shreveport dance star Calvin Alexander jumps, rolls and lands upon the stage, audience members can be forgiven if they gasp with pleasure. For Calvin is age nine. Yet he has world-class dance moves. In fact, he has already spent a year on the road in a touring company of Broadway musical Billy Elliott. He has played the role of the youngest version of Billy, aka Billy Small.

Says Kathryn Alexander, his mother, "He started taking dance at Carol Anglin Dancenter when he was three years old. This includes ballet, tap, jazz and modern. He has been doing this ever since except for the fourteen months he was on tour with Billy Elliot (350 shows). He did not have a dancing role, but but participated in the ballet warm up before each show and had occasional tap and ballet classes with some of the adult cast members."

The son of physician Calvin D Alexander and former nurse Kathryn Alexander, Calvin is preparing himself in a balanced way. Kathryn says, "Cal has also been taking violin through the Centenary Suzuki School for the past five years and tumbling and trampoline through Jill's Gymnastics for five years as well. For the past six months, he has been taking voice/acting lessons from Ron Bermingham at Centenary."

Says teacher Carol Anglin, "Cal approaches every class and rehearsal as though it is the most important performance of his life. Not only is he an exceptional dancer, but Cal is intelligent, musical, focused, driven, athletic, a team player, and steps up to the plate with each and every challenge. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this outstanding young man."

As a member of the junior company of Louisiana Dance Theater he will be onstage Saturday, April 26, at Dance His High Praise at the Strand Theatre in Shreveport. 7:00 pm. Tickets: Strand Box Office, 318.226.8555.