Once Upon a Dance is a mother-daughter duo with a passion for dance and storytelling.
Konora is a professional ballerina who has danced with Texture Contemporary Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, and Ballet Idaho, and spent 2 years in the Professional Division at Pacific Northwest Ballet and Konora’s mother - Teacher Terrel - taught creative movement and ballet for decades. Together they strive to share joyful movement, honor the beauty and discipline of ballet, and foster freedom of expression through Once Upon a Dance.
Once Upon a Dance has published 20 Dance-It-Out! books which have won many awards/endorsements. Each book is like a one-act play for kids with different sets, costumes, and choreography - just like a new dance performance.
In addition to presenting dance fundamentals, each independent narrative is laced with affirming messages and positive themes such as the value of practice, helping each other, self-acceptance, sibling relationships, anger management, the importance of bystanders, and working toward a goal.
Complementing the series of books is the Once Upon a Dance Youtube channel - offering a delightful way to introduce children to the world of dance. Check it out @OnceUponADance590!