The 7-Year-Old Self-Taught Dancer Stealing Hearts in “The Nutcracker”

This little boy is well on his way to stardom!

A 7-year-old prodigy who taught himself to dance by watching YouTube videos is now starring in a professional ballet production of The Nutcracker — a dream come true that’s capturing hearts nationwide (Newsweek).

From a Phone Gift to Ballet Fame

Lamar “LJ” Marshall first discovered his love for movement at just four years old. After receiving a smartphone from his grandfather, affectionately known as “Pop Pop,” LJ began exploring dance tutorials online. One of his earliest inspirations was Sofi Dossi, the self-taught contortionist who rose to fame on America’s Got Talent at 14. “That’s when I started doing the splits and backflips,” LJ recalled in an interview (Newsweek).

Despite having no formal training, LJ spent countless hours practicing in his family’s home. His mother and grandfather encouraged him, but money was tight, and dance lessons were out of reach. When LJ and his mother later moved from Delaware to Maryland, they would still make regular trips back to Wilmington to visit Pop Pop — the man who first believed in him.

A Chance Encounter with a Former Miss Delaware

Everything changed in September when LJ attended a local community garden event in Wilmington. Unable to resist the music, he began dancing with joyful abandon. That’s when fate stepped in. Watching from the crowd was Sophie Phillips, Miss Delaware 2021. Amazed by LJ’s natural talent, she filmed him and posted the videos to her social media, tagging the New York City Ballet and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in hopes of finding him a teacher (Delaware Online).

“She said, ‘Oh my gosh, have you had dance classes?’ I said no,” LJ told reporters. “Then she recorded me dancing and shared it online… She was really nice, and now we’re friends.”

From Viral Video to Ballet Scholarship

Soon after Phillips’ video went viral, professional dancer Akua Noni Parker — a longtime member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater — shared it with the Wilmington Ballet. Artistic directors Benjamin Sterling Cannon and Christopher Davis were so impressed that they offered LJ a full one-year scholarship.

“I practice Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,” LJ said proudly. “The ballet school picks me up for class and brings me home. They’ve been amazing.”

Initially, he was nervous about joining a class full of girls, afraid they might laugh at him. Instead, he found a warm welcome — and even two other boys among his classmates. “I didn’t know my teacher would be a boy!” LJ said with a grin. “I can do more cartwheels than Mr. Christopher, though!”

Preparing for the Stage — and a Birthday to Remember

This December, LJ will make his stage debut in The Nutcracker, one of ballet’s most beloved productions. The performance coincides with his 7th birthday — a milestone that feels like something out of a storybook.

“My whole family is going to watch me. Mommy said she’s going to be there every night,” LJ said.

The Wilmington Ballet expressed its pride and gratitude on social media: “We are so thankful for the media attention this heartwarming story has received. LJ will be celebrating his seventh birthday amid rehearsals for The Nutcracker — what a truly wonderful gift for us all to witness!”

Big Dreams and a Bright Future

LJ continues to soak up every lesson and technique he learns at ballet school. His favorite part? “When I get to flip,” he said enthusiastically. Beyond ballet, he dreams of becoming an artist, veterinarian, contortionist, and gymnast — and of performing on America’s Got Talent just like his idol Sofi Dossi (ABC News).

“I would love to perform for her one day,” he said. “The perfect place would be a ballet studio with glitter walls.”

Though his friends haven’t quite mastered the ballet moves he tries to teach them, LJ’s mom says she’s proud that he’s inspiring other children to chase their dreams. “Mommy said that everything with my dancing is falling into place,” he shared. “Pop Pop keeps recording me all the time!”

As The Washington Post noted in a feature about child prodigies, moments like these remind us that talent can emerge anywhere — sometimes, all it takes is a little encouragement and a lot of heart.

Tickets for The Nutcracker by the Wilmington Ballet — featuring Lamar “LJ” Marshall — will be available for performances on December 17th, 18th, and 19th.

Congratulations, LJ — your story proves that when passion meets opportunity, magic happens.