About My Classroom
I am blessed to be one of two full time dance teachers
at Lanier Middle School in Houston, Texas.
The Lanier Dance program serves 6th-8th grade girls and boys
as their PE credit and includes something for everyone!
From beginner classes that want to dance for fun and fitness to intermediate performance classes that focus on technique development to advanced competition classes that travel to compete for prestigious titles, dancers of all levels can find a place here.
I primarily teach classes that deal in the classic "Texas Drill Team" genre, including stylings in jazz, pom, high kick, novelty, prop, lyrical, contemporary and modern. But our program also offers training in hip hop, house and breakdance.
The Lanier Dance program is unlike any other!
My dance room is a safe and secure environment where individuals can feel comfortable taking risks and being vulnerable in their learning. The large open area exists in the location of the school's original 1926 gymnasium. With large mirrors affixed to the walls, dancers are able to move safely through the space while seeing their movement thus, assisting in self-evaluation techniques. We try to keep the space as clean and clear as possible, but as the year goes on, new costumes, prop and trophies begin to fill the room.
Because of the nature of my position and profession, a good amount of my teaching occurs outside the four walls of my classroom. I am honored to be able to take my dancers across the city, state and nation as ambassadors for our program, district and community. My students represent their school with pride through performances, competitions and trips that serve to teach them the valuable concepts of teamwork, committment and responsibility.
Performances
Competitions
Tours/Trips
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Fall Show: A dancer's opportunity to show their friends and family what they've been learning for the first two months of school. Eight different groups are included in this performance.
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Homecoming: Over 150 dancers stand on their yardlines and fill the entire football field with dancing. The pride and joy of the Lanier Football Season, the homecoming game brings together former and current students cheering on their Purple Pups.
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Spring Show: This performances serves as a culmination to a full year of dedication to dance. As a farewell to the 8th graders, this performance is attended by over 1000 spectators who applaud loudly as the 300 performers hit the ending pose of the finale.
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District: The Houston Independent School District is unique in the amount of dance programs it provides at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Lanier Dance currently boasts the overall Top Score from the annual district competition, regardless of school classification.
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State: Lanier Dance completed a "three-peat" at the Crowd Pleasers State Dance Competition last season winning another Texas State title.
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National: Holding back-to-back National titles through Showtime International, Lanier Dance holds the Academic Champion award as well representing both academic and athletic excellence.
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In State Travel: The top competitive dance team takes an overnight competition trip somewhere within the state of Texas every year. This year we traveled to the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex to compete in a state competition. Students were exposed to what dance could be beyond high school through touring the TCU, Baylor and Texas A&M campuses and dance departments.
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Out of State Travel: Most recently we took 60 students and chaperones to Los Angeles, California. Dancers learned about the dance industry through taking master classes with working professionals and discussing the audition process. Dancers also got to explore Disneyland, Universal Studios and many classic LA landmarks. We travel out of state every other year.
Click each picture to expand and learn more about what occurs in and "out" of my classroom.
Photo Credit:
Visual Services of Texas, Kelsey Joseph, Tania Shaheen