Beginning

The King's Praise Ballet began in September of 2006. It was started by Anna Lofgren, then just 16 years old and still in high school, at the request of several moms in her homeschooling community. For most of her life, Anna had felt a call to use dance for the glory of God. This was influenced greatly by Ballet Magnificat, a Christian ballet company, whose videotape Anna wore out by watching it over and over. Anna never really expected that she would become a teacher, but God used a few encouraging moms to get her to start, and once she began, she realized how much she enjoyed it.

The summer of 2006 was spent finding a name and theme verse, and arranging a place and schedule. Fountain of Grace was the second church she asked, and they were very gracious to allow her to use their fellowship hall for classes. With 19 students and a countertop and chairs in place of a barre, The King's Praise Ballet began.

After 2 years of teaching, Anna graduated high school, and, following the advice of many, went off to college. This meant that The King's Praise Ballet had to stop. It was incredibly hard for Anna to leave it behind, but God taught her many things through it. She went to college with the goal to become a better teacher and director, and spent a year studying theatre, dance, and music, in addition to general eduation requirements.

New Beginning

In an amazing way, God led Anna to return home after a year at college, with the full support of her parents. In addition to continuing to study on her own, she began The King's Courts in the summer of 2009, an arts ministry that encompasses The King's Praise Ballet and The King's Theatre.

The classes were again held at Fountain of Grace, but this time in a new, larger fellowship hall. The church graciously allowed Anna to install mirrors on one of the walls, and her dad built portable barres, allowing students to learn and practice in a better studio environment. In the fall of 2011, a roll-out dance floor was invested in, to provide a better, safer dance surface.

A year and a half has passed since its new beginning, and The King's Praise Ballet is going strong by God's grace, with 83 current students. Anna looks forward to continuing to follow God's plan, and prays that The King's Praise Ballet will be used to touch many lives for the glory of God.