From the twinkling lights of Broadway to the rigorous academics of high school, Jacob Anderson’s journey as a Laurel Springs student has been an inspiring one characterized by dedication, passion, and celebration. Enrolled at Laurel Springs School since the 5th grade, Jacob’s story is not just about academic excellence and his passion for being on stage, but also about the discipline and devotion it takes to thrive as a leader, artist, and student simultaneously.

Jacob’s Early Years: Falling in Love with Ballet

Jacob tapped into the world of dance when he was just four years old. Like many artistic kids at this age, he was drawn to the intertwining of expression and music. However, it was the structure and clear techniques of ballet that really captivated him. “I fell in love with how structured ballet is. The clear techniques and rules provided a consistent base, allowing me to layer my artistry and emotions into the rigidity of ballet,” shares Jacob.

Over the years, Jacob’s summers have been spent attending intensives at some of the most prestigious ballet institutions across the globe – including Colorado Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam, and the School of American Ballet in NYC. Additionally, as a student since 4th grade at Laurel Springs’ partner institution, Metropolitan School of the Arts, Jacob has risen through the ranks and honed his skills in leadership (with experience as the Student Treasurer and Student Body President) while strengthening his artistic voice.

His noticeable talent and hard work paid off early on, leading to performances in two professional shows before he entered high school: “Matilda the Musical” on the Broadway National Tour and “Billy Elliot” at the Signature Theatre. These experiences were foundational, “solidifying my love for the arts and showing me what it’s like to be in the professional arts world. It affirmed that performing is exactly what I want to continue pursuing.”

Thriving Academically and Performing Internationally

In high school, Jacob made a mature decision to focus more heavily on his studies. At Laurel Springs, he’s done nothing but excel, maintaining straight A’s and challenging himself with a rigorous course load of Honors and AP classes. He is also a member of the National Honors Society, where his love for service work and connecting with others is given space to breathe and thrive. “We have meetings every quarter, which give us opportunities to speak about what we’ve been doing in school and the realm of volunteering,” shares Jacob. “I love to organize fundraisers, including a recent Double Good Gourmet Popcorn fundraiser that raised nearly $12,000 for MSA overtime. I also organized a food drive recently that brought in 200 lbs of food for families in need. I’m really grateful to be an NHS member.”

His desire to succeed academically and help those in need showcase how sincere and driven Jacob is at his core. “If it weren’t for Laurel Springs’ flexible environment, I wouldn’t have the time to do so many of these things that I love outside of a classroom – including service work,” he adds. “The structure and discipline I’ve learned in ballet translate nicely to my studies at Laurel Springs and commitment to the NHS.”

Although Jacob’s focus has been heavily placed on thriving academically in high school, his passion for dance hasn’t waned. In the past several years, Jacob has participated in the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) competition and scholarship program, a launching pad for many young dancers. His achievements at YAGP are nothing short of admirable – being awarded Top 12 Senior Mens for his classical variation and Top 6 Senior Mens for his contemporary solo. These accolades are not just trophies or titles; they represent countless hours of practice and perseverance. He plans to compete again this upcoming season.

He also recently participated in the prestigious Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition in London, UK. “It was an amazing experience. I performed a solo piece that I choreographed, and the whole event was a blast,” Jacob recalls. He also received a full scholarship to the Tulsa Ballet Trainee Program through this competition. Although he doesn’t know if he’ll accept the opportunity, he still feels incredibly excited to be presented with it.

Nutcracker Performances at the Metropolitan School of the Arts

Jacob’s involvement in the Metropolitan School of the Arts’ Nutcracker performance since the 4th grade is a tradition that has seen him grow both as a dancer and a performer. From playing Fritz to taking on roles like the Russian soloist, the Nutcracker, and Spanish soloist, Jacob has proven his ability to thrive in a variety of ways on stage. Notably, last year and again this year, he performs the role of Cavalier, a testament to how skilled and talented he is. “Performing different characters each year has been an incredible journey of growth and exploration,” says Jacob. “This year, I’m excited to perform Cavalier again because I’m able to leverage my experience from last year. I feel really confident in the role now.”

Upcoming performances are taking place on December 9th and 10th, with a special feature of the school’s brand new Ukrainian folk dance suite from the Volyn region of Ukraine.

If you are located near the MSA’s Nutcracker performance center in Alexandria, VA, you can purchase tickets to see the show live right here!

A Passion for Choreography and Life Outside of Dance

Beyond performing, Jacob has also explored the choreographic side of dance. He’s choreographed both contemporary and classical pieces for various showcases and full-length ballets at the Metropolitan School of the Arts – including a notable piece for Cinderella. “Choreography allows me to express my creativity and lead in new ways,” he explains.

Outside of ballet, choreography, and academics, Jacob enjoys reading, hiking, and practicing yoga. “Yoga, especially, helps with my flexibility, breathing, strength and mindfulness, which are all so important in ballet,” he shares.

University, Professional Ballet, and Beyond

Recently, Jacob’s hard work has culminated in his acceptance into Butler University with an academic scholarship and admittance into their Dance Program. He’s also auditioning for other professional ballet companies outside of the scholarship he received to the Tulsa Ballet Trainee Program, indicating the start of a new chapter in his already impressive performing career.

As Jacob prepares to transition from high school to life beyond, all of us here at Laurel Springs feel so proud of and excited for him. His journey is an inspiration to all of our students – whether they are performing artists like Jacob, college-bound student-athletes, or computer scientists – showing that with passion, commitment, and the right educational environment, the sky really is the limit.

“We are so excited to see where he winds up!” shares Jacob’s mom (and number one cheerleader), Angela.

And we are too, Jacob!

To learn more about Laurel Springs School and our personalized, flexible programming for performing artists, visit us on our website, or schedule a call with an admissions coordinator.

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