TATD 2015

      Sherri's Dance Center annually attends Texas Association Teachers of Dancing (TATD) each year. This particular year was different. Member teachers, Sherri & Carrie Conwell took eight girls to this years convention in Waco, Texas. Valerie Batencourt, Katie Farmer, Cherish Hornbeck, Mallory Jech, Ashley Kelley, Skyler Massey, Averi Mazur, Karlee Peters, and Samantha Price, danced from eight-thirty to five each day of the five day convention. Learning from top performers and choreographers, these dancers worked hard. "I feel this year was a lot different," said advanced dancer and choreographer Skyler Massey. "There was more determination and true thought to why we were here."
      
     Two younger dancers Valerie Batencourt & Karlee Peters didn't know what to expect from this experience. "A convention like this can really scare people. There are beautiful, technical dancers from all around this area [Texas]. Knowing that can really intimidate dancers and cause them to stay in the back of the class or doubt their dance capabilities. I told both Valerie & Karlee one night, to 'not let this opportunity to learn and grow as a dancer be tarnished by worrying about other people'," stated Massey. 
     As first-time attendees Valerie & Karlee's thoughts were like anyone else's would be. "I was kind of nervous but also really excited, because I didn't really know what to expect" Valerie said.  Once it was all said and done, both of them discovered new abilities and surpassed limits they never thought they would surpass. Peters perfectly quoted,  "I've realized that I can push myself so much farther than boundaries that I originally set for myself and that I need to get out of my comfort zone more." 


     The veteran attendees of TATD, set a standard that represented Oklahoma at this Texas based convention. For being one of the only groups from Oklahoma, Sherri's Dance Center represented well. Many of ours dancers were being noticed by the guest choreographers and being called out for their artistry. 
     A few talented dancers brought home honorable awards for their hard-work and talent. Starting out with our Scholarship Finalist winners, Averi Mazur won the 'Senior Hip-Hop Scholarship Finalist' and Samantha Price won the 'Senior Jazz Scholarship Finalist'. For the first time, we had two Scholarship winners, Skyler Massey won the 'Senior Jazz Scholarship' and Ashley Kelley won the 'Senior All-Around Around Scholarship'. We as a studio, are so proud of these talented young ladies!

If you would like to attend Texas Associated Teachers of Dancing in 2016 please Stay tunned for that information to be released. We encourage dancers to attend events such as this to get the maximum of their dance education!