Neighborhood resident Leslie Jabsen founded Dance Fusion three years ago to support local choreographers.

The first few years have been tough for the small dance company, says Jabsen, who runs the group by herself. But she is hoping to improve the company’s fortunes by applying for nonprofit status and grants and pushing for more community support for local choreographers.

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The company of 10 dancers is an outlet for Dallas choreographers to have their original pieces performed. Dance Fusion’s biggest event for the year is Kinetic Fusion, which recently was staged at the Bath House Cultural Center and featured seven dances choreographed by local artists.

Jabsen says the company performs several style of dance, including jazz, ballet, modern and ethnic and can be booked for private events, with dances choreographed especially for the function.

Last year, Jabsen supported the company herself through her neighborhood dance school, Dance Fusion Studio, which is located at 718 N. Buckner.

She acquired the studio after teaching ballet for the school’s previous owner in exchange for rehearsal space for Dance Fusion. Now that she owns the studio, she leases the space for a nominal fee to local choreographers.

“I think it’s nice for the community to support emerging artists,” Jabsen says. “I feel the arts are good for the community.”

Jabsen herself has studied dance for 30 years. She has worked in New York and with companies in Switzerland, Germany and Dallas.

“I just can’t live without (dance),” Jabsen says. “I think it’s something that’s in your blood.”

For information about Dance Fusion, call 320-3396.