Watch award-winning dance team at Hill Country Dance and Cheer show
Hill Country Dance and Cheer win big in competition May 4 in Pflugerville. Photo Courtesy HC Dance and Cheer.
Catch an award-winning dance team in action at the annual show of Hill Country Dance & Cheer at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 19 in the Marble Falls High School auditorium. The theme of the show is All Around the World, and will feature several forms of dance, gymnastics and Karate. Admission is $5 per person.
These same performers won big during their first year of competition May 4. Hill Country Dance & Cheer brought home all Gold awards from the Stage One National Dance Competition in Pflugerville.
Of the 11 awards gained, two were “high gold,” earned for the hip hop entries. Business owner, dancer and choreographer Tenisha Graham joined the students as their instructor and mentor on the successful trip.
“Dance gives young people a sense of belonging, as a part of a team and an identity about themselves,” Graham said.
Additional Dance Class Recognition
Possibly because of the excellent performance at the competition, the studio was contacted by Peter Sklar, a New York City talent scout. On Monday, May 13, he visited the Marble Falls studio and spoke to the students about how to start a career in the arts.
After meeting with students, Sklar chose five to participate in a workshop in New York City this summer. One famous former Sklar find is actress Sarah Jessica Parker. Graham helped make this visit happen through perseverance and hard work.
“The best thing about our business is that we genuinely care about the kids and their advancement and self-esteem, to build them up for success in life,” Graham said. “Parents appreciate that, and the kids have a blast.”
Graham has operated the dance and fitness studio since July 1, 2011, when she acquired Stars Academy of Marble Falls. Previously, she owned and operated a studio in Denver City, Texas. She also taught at studios in Lubbock and Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Hill Country Dance & Cheer instructors include Michael Burfield, a former student of Graham’s who dances with Ballet Austin, and Charla Cormier, director of cheer and gymnastics and a former fitness competitor who was on an award-winning Marble Falls cheerleading squad.
Hill Country Dance & Cheer offers a wide variety of dance classes and fitness skills to more than 180 students, including ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, cheer, gymnastics, karate and Zumba. A workout facility for mothers to use while their children are at dance class is also available.
During the summer, when classes and hours are intermittent, call Tenisha Graham at 830-265-8555, or visit the studio at 910 9th St. in Marble Falls (behind Doc’s Seafood). Also, check out the website at www.HillCountryDanceandFitness.com.