Meet Kristan Ballard

Children’s Productions, a non-profit organization that produced annual children’s musicals. A second non-profit organization, the Sunshine Kids in Production (SKIP), was begun a few years later specifically focused on

developing young dancers. (My mother, Joyce McCauley, was one of the founders of both non-profits.) The talent on Guam was amazing (still is), and eventually well-known teachers and choreographers came to work with SKIP from the Philippines, Japan, New York City, and LA. I danced with SKIP until age 17 and was afforded many opportunities to perform and compete all over the United States, Canada, and beyond.

When I graduated from high school on Guam, I earned a scholarship to dance at the University of Hawaii, my college of choice. I went on to work and dance in  New York City. I eventually settled in The Woodlands where I was the director of a large competitive team at a local dance studio for many years. During that time, I also taught high school English and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in English/Dance from SHSU and a Doctorate in Literature from the University of Houston. I found literature so fascinating because art in movement and art in words are so very intertwined.

I never considered being the owner of a dance studio until my husband, Sam, a seasoned business owner, encouraged me to believe in myself after teaching dance for so many years, to believe that I had the experience and the background to build a dream. So with the faith of friends and family behind me, we opened our doors as the Texas Academy of Dance Arts (TADA) in September of 2014 in Oak Ridge North, Texas. We started with just under 70 students that first year, and we have grown to almost 700 in five short years.

I’m asked all the time how TADA continues to thrive and grow. My answer is always the same: TADA is very like the tiny island I came from –it’s a place of community, fellowship, support, and comfort. It’s a place where students, no matter where they are from or what their background is, can be accepted and encouraged to reach their fullest potential, surrounded by a family of teachers who truly care.

We’d love to hear more about your dance studio. What do you do? Why? And what do you hope others will take away from being a part of TADA?
I love art in all mediums. Personally, my sense of art at this point as a dance studio owner comes to life in the kind of dance studio the staff and I work to maintain every day Texas Academy of Dance Arts is a studio that holds a

delicate balance between professional and recreational. We meet and train students wherever they are in their dance journey, whether serious or just for fun. Our ultimate goal is to produce dance graduates who are well-equipped for

a successful future in collegiate or professional dance. We are first and foremost an academy of pre-professional training, and secondly a place for recreational dance. Thus, the professional feel is cutting edge, modern, and academic; the recreational aspects are warm, fun, and unintimidating. This duality is reflected in the full name of the studio “Texas Academy of Dance Arts” and its rather fun acronym “TADA!”

Performing artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?

I think the biggest challenge facing dancers today is balancing the pressure to perform for the public and to cater to what is “sensational” while also trying to stay true to themselves, expressing beauty in what is real and pedestrian.

Anyone interested is free to stop by and see the numerous class listings we have to offer, beginning at age two upwards through every age and level, beginner through advanced. We even have boys-only classes and adult classes. For those who are looking for experiences and training greater than just our class offerings, we have several groups to get involved in:

– The TADA Youth Ballet Company is a pre-professional company under the direction and mentorship of Former Houston Ballet Soloist, Elise Elliott. The TADA YBC is for serious, highly-motivated dancers who wish to train as pre-professionals in anticipation of a future in classical and contemporary ballet. This program offers a progressive and focused curriculum enriched by performances throughout the year, expert guidance, college preparation, and

more. Membership is not only a significant highlight on any college-bound or professional resume, but it is also a testament to a dancer’s higher learning, work ethic, and passion for the art of classical ballet. For more information, email balletprogram@danceTADA.com

– Team TADA is our group of competitive dancers ages 4-18 under the direction of Jessica Norwood. Team TADA aims to shape students into strong, confident, skilled dancers through training and performance but also teaches the values of goal-setting, healthy competition, good sportsmanship, and charitable outreach. These dancers train 5-6 days a week, and work with several nationally- recognized choreographers such as Fox’s hit show “So You Think You Can Dance” Mia Michaels and Blake McGrath, and more renowned artists. The team has won several championship titles at dance competitions and conventions and performs locally as well.

– BoomTADA hip hop crew is comprised of students age 6 and up who love hip hop, breakdancing, and other street dance styles. BoomTADA kids perform in several local shows throughout the year and focus on sharing their love of dance with the community.

Our website is www.danceTADA.com,