Jaleah Roscoe began dancing at age 3 and always dreamed of dancing for a National Basketball Association team. Her dreams came true when she was selected as a dancer for the Atlanta Hawks.
After dancing for the Hawks for four years, Roscoe returned to her hometown in Augusta and launched The Vault Dance Complex in September 2021. She taught classes in a friend’s mom’s daycare center until she moved into her own 1,800-square-foot studio located at 4332 Wheeler Road, Suite 103 in Martinez last month.
In her new space, Roscoe plans to teach a variety of classes for students between the ages of 2 and 18, including jazz, tap, hip hop, and ballet. Classes, which will start on August 8, will range in size from 10-15 students each. She will also offer some adult classes, such as dance fitness.
After graduating from Grovetown High School, Roscoe attended Georgia Southern University and danced for the Southern Explosion Dance Team. She then decided to try out for the NBA team.
The tryouts lasted two to three weeks, and out of 200 girls who auditioned, she was one of only 20 selected for the team.
“We’re athletes, and we work extremely hard,” Roscoe said. “You have to work hard to gain your spot and work hard to keep it.”
She and the other dancers were required to learn routines quickly. At times, they learned a dance routine one day and then performed it on the court the next night.
Roscoe said this experience helped to prepare her for starting her own studio.
“It taught me a lot of discipline and professionalism,” she said. “It made me a better all-around dancer.”
Dancing for the NBA also helped with time management. Dancers don’t travel, but they’re required to perform at 42 home games throughout the season.
“It’s very time-consuming, and games are played any day of the week,” Roscoe said.
She came up with the business name because vaults usually hold money, but in this case, she plans to unlock her dancers’ potential.
Roscoe will hold an open house at the studio on Saturday, July 30 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Parents and students can take tours of the studio, register for classes, and enjoy cotton candy and snow cones.
Besides offering dance classes, she also plans to rent out the studio for events.
For more information, including the class schedule and prices, visit vaultdancecomplex.com.
