Little Rock School District alum heads to New York City after acceptance into acclaimed dance school
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – She may have just graduated from high school, but Little Rock native Madison Robinson is headed to the Big Apple to show off her dancing talent after a big accomplishment.
Robinson is 18 years old, and she said her journey with dancing and ballet started at a young age.
Little Rock high school student to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York
'I am very grateful that my body allows me to do such amazing things,' Robinson said. 'My first year dancing with Ballet Arkansas was 'The Nutcracker Spectacular.' I landed the leading role.'
She said she has had to work hard to develop her dancing skills.
'I did the Debbie Allen Summer Intensive and also Ailey Summer Intensive the past 2 years,' Robinson said.
After graduating from Little Rock Central High School, she took the next step by auditioning for the Alvin Ailey School of Dance and was accepted.
'My initial reaction was just pure joy; I was trying not to scream. I'll be there for three years; it is a post-grad dance school,' she said.
Little Rock elementary school students write and publish their own books
The Ailey School in New York City is the official school of the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the most acclaimed dance companies in the world.
Leslie Dodge is the Director of pre-professional ballet at Shuffles Dance Studio and worked with Robinson as her dance teacher; she said she is proud of her accomplishment.
'It's very competitive. People from all over the country and world will audition to get into the school and the company tour worldwide.' Dodge said. 'It's very unique to see someone like that give so much to an art form at her age.'
Robinson said she is grateful to her family, friends, and teacher for all the support and mentoring that have helped her reach this moment.
'I hope to dance in a company one day and have a long, fulfilling career and after that retire and teach dance to students,' Robinson said.
Education Matters: UA Little Rock student lands internship at Arkansas Children's Hospital
She hopes to inspire other kids around the state who are involved in the fine arts to know that they can accomplish what they want.
'Never lose sight of your goal. I know sometimes it can feel impossible, but it never really is impossible,' Robinson said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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