One Texas dance studio started off their Black History Month with some Black Girl Magic.

A fun photoshoot intended as a bonding experience for the young ballerinas at iRule Dance Studio in Beaumont, Texas, quickly turned into a viral sensation, reports Good Morning America.

The activity was first brainstormed by the girls' families a few months ago, but because of their rigorous practice schedule of two to three hours, six days a week, they weren’t able to organize it until early February, which made it even more special.

“These girls work so hard, and although they don’t complain about it, sometimes we like to do something fun,” Angela Malonson, whose 7-year-old daughter Falon dances with the company, said. “It just so happened to be February and what better month to do it in honor of Black History Month."

Brandie Perry of Bee Photography, whose daughter also dances at iRule, shot the girls in downtown Beaumont. Dressed to the nines in their leotards and tights, the girls were naturals in front of the camera.


“Even if it’s a group of girls, I love each one of them to have their own little thing, each one of them [to] shine a little bit,” Perry told Fox 10 Phoenix. “You can tell the personality in each one of these girls. I wanted it to be a fierce, in-your-face picture, but show their softness too.”

The photoshoot, as well as the girls’ dance careers, was inspired by Misty Copeland, the first Black principal ballerina for the American Ballet Theater.

“We just don't see a lot of people that look like her…people of color, brown people that take ballet," Malonson said. "Misty Copeland came along and paved the way. There weren't very many people for little girls of color to look up to."

The owner of the dance studio, CharLee Hanna-Rule, became emotional when she saw the photographs.

"When I saw [the pictures], I obviously choked up," she said. "To see [the photos], I was so proud."


She strives for her dance studio to be a place of acceptance and inclusion, which is portrayed through the photographs.

"I'm a big believer that, no matter who you are, if you want to dance in my studio, it's a place for you," Hanna-Rule, said. "It doesn’t matter your size or color or anything.”

After the photos were shared online by Perry and the girls’ families, the internet felt the girl power they embodied. One Facebook post of the tiny dancers has over 14,000 shares in addition to the love shown on Twitter.

Despite all the attention, the girls just want to dance.

“All they want to do is have fun and they still don’t understand how big of a deal this is,” said Malonson. “Maybe once they’re older and can reflect back on the moment, they will see all of the positivity. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

BLACK GIRL MAGICBlack History MOnthBlack-BallerinasMisty-Copeland