Dear Perry County,

My name is Alexander James Edwards, and I am honored to introduce myself as I begin this new venture — theProject.

Before the stages, the television appearances, or the professional companies, there was a seven-year-old boy holding a silver medal after his first solo. I remember being proud — but not satisfied. That moment sent me back into the studio determined to train harder, stronger, and more fiercely.

Silver to High Silver. High Silver to Gold. Gold to High Gold. Coming back stronger and more determined each time.

By twelve, I earned my first Platinum medal. That achievement didn’t make me comfortable — it made me hungry. Growing up in a small sports-driven town in Texas, I played multiple sports at a high level while training in dance. In that environment, talent was never enough. You showed up. You worked. You competed. You respected the process. That mindset shaped me.

Over time, that discipline led me to win first overall titles across every genre — not only as a dancer, but later as a choreographer. But what mattered most wasn’t the trophies. It was the understanding that excellence is built, not gifted.

That foundation carried me into opportunities I once only imagined. I performed in The Nutcracker with Moscow Ballet, worked alongside artists such as MC Hammer and Destiny’s Child, trained with the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, studied at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and Point Park University, and performed with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.

My career expanded to national platforms including So You Think You Can Dance, Dance Moms, MTV’s Ridiculousness, and Todrick. I’ve collaborated with artists like Shirley Murdock and Lalah Hathaway and worked in spaces ranging from concert stages to family entertainment, including Chuck E. Cheese and Barney and Friends.

Each chapter taught me something different — discipline, versatility, professionalism, humility.

But the most meaningful part of my journey has never been the spotlight.

I have taught, judged, and choreographed all over and outside the country. And through every city, every convention, and every competition, I realized something: my heart has always truly been in the giving back part. In mentorship. In watching a student push past self-doubt. In helping young people see themselves as capable of more.

Those moments resonate with me tremendously.

That is why I created theProject.

The name reflects both my personal journey and the mission of this studio: ever-growing, ever-changing, ever-evolving — with the same core values always intact. Growth without losing foundation. Expansion without losing integrity.

theProject. is not just a dance studio. It is a space for discipline, creativity, culture, and character. It is a bridge between small-town accessibility and professional-level excellence. It is proof that young people do not have to leave their hometown to receive high-quality training, mentorship, and exposure.

I am grateful for the path that prepared me for this moment. And I am even more grateful for the opportunity to pour everything I have learned back into this community — this community I have lived in now for 6+ years and have truly become a part of.

Perry County may be small in size, but it is not small in potential. I understand small-town drive because I come from it. I understand sports culture, work ethic, and community pride. My goal is to build a space that honors those values while expanding what is possible for our youth.

This venture is not about building a brand — it is about building legacy.

A legacy of confident young people.

A legacy of opportunity.

A legacy of excellence rooted in humility and hard work.

Thank you for welcoming me, supporting theProject., and believing in what we can build together.

Genuinely,

Alexander James Edwards

Founder & Director, theProject.