Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Alison.
The Silver Classix Crew was formed in 2010 in Atlanta, GA and is directed by Leslie Alison, a former NBA dancer of five years, and Captain of the Atlanta Hawks Dancers.
Leslie is from Birmingham, AL and is a graduate of Auburn University. She has an extensive dance background, from classical ballet to hip hop, leading the Auburn University dance team as Captain, and instructing high school dance teams across the country. Leslie is the Owner of Classix Dance Productions, LLC, a dance-fitness company for seniors, ages 50+, which is the home of Atlanta’s official senior dance team, the Silver Classix Crew. Her company is based on the principle that through dance, you can improve with age. Her dancers, currently between the ages 50-70, work hard to perfect her creative and energetic dance routines, and they are truly an inspiration for all ages.
In 2010, Leslie was selected as one of Jezebel Magazine’s 50 “Most Beautiful Atlantans,” and she has been featured on numerous national radio & television broadcasts, morning shows and print publications, including CNN, SportSouth, Fox 5, Lifetime TV, The AJC, CBS, Hoop Magazine, Hawks 360 Magazine, Best Self Magazine, WorldStarHitRadio, 11 Alive, and Dance Studio Life Magazine.
ABOUT THE SILVER CLASSIX CREW: Known around the country as the “Classix Crew!”
This dynamic dance group is composed of talented dancers over the age of 50 who are entertaining the masses all over the US while generating excitement for other seniors to get involved in dance, achieve a healthy & fun lifestyle, and improve with age! Several of the members are cancer survivors, some have overcome weight struggles, diabetes, various surgeries, another conquered a 50-year smoking addiction, and many others have now discovered dance as physical and mental therapy. The Silver Classix dancers have continually improved their energy, stamina, flexibility, memory, skill level and endurance, year after year. They are truly an inspiration to all ages, and it is obvious this team truly believes that there are no limits to what they can do!
The first open audition for the Silver Classix Crew was held in June of 2010, which had an amazing turnout. The Classix Crew holds annual auditions each summer, and the team practices every week in Atlanta to prepare for their performances.
This team works extremely hard & they perform frequently at a wide range of events, including various professional sporting games, conventions, festivals, city parades, and charities. The members of the Silver Classix Crew, currently between the ages of 50-69, have appeared in various national TV shows, commercials and music videos, including Silento, Migos, 2 Chainz and Macklemore. They also perform for professional sporting events, such as the Atlanta Hawks, GA Swarm, Harlem Globetrotters. They have been featured on CNN and Wall Street Journal, and they were also featured in a promotional campaign for Old Navy. They were recently featured on ABC’s primetime show “Dance Battle America and competed at “Hip Hop International” in Las Vegas, the largest hip hop competition in the US.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
This group of dancers is extremely close, as any team working towards a common goal would be. We are very involved and supportive of each other through the good times and the bad. One of the toughest times the group experienced was losing one of our team members to a rough battle with cancer. At the time, Sandra Ferrier was the oldest member of the group, at age 74. She was one of the original dancers in the group, and it was very hard to lose such a great friend. She was quite an inspiration.
Advice I would give to other women is to understand that just because we get older every year, that doesn’t mean that you can’t learn new skills and improve all areas of your life. Just because we’ve always been told that as you get older everything declines, it doesn’t mean that has to be true. I’ve literally watched my dancers improve their health, happiness, stamina, agility, flexibility, strength, and energy, all because they have a passion for dance and are dedicated. I can’t think of a better way to engage physical activity and mental stimulation, all while having the time of your life.
Silver Classix Crew – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
This is a dance company for ages 50+… that alone makes it pretty unique. 🙂 I also knew that I didn’t want to have a corny senior dance team that was to make people laugh – I wanted to have a team that stood out for actually being talented and skilled. Some of our dancers can still tumble, do tricks and splits – they are impressive and excellent performers.
When I started this ten years ago, I had no idea the popularity that they would get from so many different types of media. They’ve been featured in numerous magazines, newspapers, music videos, radio shows, TV shows, CNN and Wall Street Journal. It’s blown me away, but it’s made me realize what an inspiration they really are. By them not being afraid to step outside the box and do something a little un-ordinary, they are setting an example for others to get out there and do what you love, no matter what age you are. The greatest part about them is how I’m amazed when I see little kids run up to them after a performance and want to take pictures with them. It’s truly inspiring.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
The women that I have the joy of teaching and directing are strong women. They want to defy stereotypes and inspire the entire world. If I could put them on every TV show in the world, they would be more than thrilled to have an opportunity to share their joy of dance and share their stories of how they continue to improve with age. They are on a mission to encourage others to do the same.
Contact Info:
- Address: AUDITION FOR THE TEAM:
Our next team audition; Sunday, September 27, 2020
Where: Crunch Fitness, 5508 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Chamblee, GA 30341 - Website: www.SilverClassix.com
- Email: info@silverclassix.com
- Instagram: @SilverClassixCrew
- Facebook: @SilverClassixCrew
- Twitter: @ClassixCrew
Image Credit:
Leslie Alison
Keiko Guest
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