Live2Dance Performing Arts Center

Hi everyone!
My name is Stephanie Perez. I am originally from McAllen, Texas where I started my dance instruction in jazz at the Doria Avila School of Dance at the age of seven. I can distinctly remember dancing to, what were then hit songs, "Elvira" and "Magic Night". I can still show you a couple of steps of choreography that went to it!! Although my instruction was short lived for reasons unknown, the seed for the love of dance had been planted.
When I was nine years old, my family moved to the big city of Kingsville. In eighth grade I attended Dance Expressions under the instruction of Lori Shultz. In the tenth grade, I added Drill Team to my dance repertoire and still continued at Dance Expressions, this time under Kellye Pena in which I was also an apprentice. I taught under Kellye's supervision for three years. It was not until my youngest son Jacob turned four when I began teaching at a summer program through the County Parks and Recreation. Under my instruction, I am honored to say that out of this group of girls that had never danced before, one became a professional dancer and another was able to receive a dance scholarship for college.
My calling in dance continued while my children attending Christian Life Academy. I became involved in the youth ministry and the school in which I was asked to introduce the art of dance to honor the One from which this gift was given. I continued this ministry (I.C.E.-Incorporating Christ's Excellence and True Vision) for several years and then Emily came along!! My ballerina had been born!! I was an official Dance Mom!
Emily started at the age of two and a half with Avant Dance Academy. She did a few months at Tip Tap but then continued at Art in Motion for the next several years. I am grateful that Sarah Garza took a chance on me, when I said that I used to teach many, many, many, many years ago!! It was awesome to be able to teach at that studio for three years; however it was time for me to spread my wings and fly!!
Live2Dance!! has actually been in the making for twenty plus years. I have had the privilege to teach two generations of dancers…whoa, that makes me sound really old!! It is my heart's desire to share this gift with this generation of children so that they become both physically and spiritually grounded for future generations to come. Live2Dance!! became a reality because of those of you who believed in me and most of all because the Lord gave me the courage to believe in myself.
I would like to instill and share my passion and my love for dance in students for many years to come; to see them grow and put this art to use whether it is professionally, for ministry or just for fun, please know that I will put my heart in everything I do for them. I don’t know who to credit this quote to but it is one that inspires me. "You don’t stop dancing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop dancing." God willing, I don’t plan to stop dancing for a while!!

Ms. Stephanie