Dana Davis–Bailey

Dana Davis–Bailey is the owner and artistic director of Dana’s Dance Academy. Many of her students are performing on Broadway, in California and Las Vegas. While attending MacArthur High School, Dana was a Cardette officer and later went on to become a Rangerette Lieutenant at Kilgore College.  Ms. Davis-Bailey also provides her talents of choreography and movement to many of the Irving schools including Bowie, MacArthur and Irving High.

Dana danced professionally with the Dallas Ballet Company and the Irving Ballet Company. Her final role as a professional ballerina was the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker for the Irving Ballet. From 1996-1998 Ms. Davis-Bailey served as General Manager for the Irving Ballet Company. Summer months are spent as a dance instructor for KidsArts Camp at the Irving Art Center.

Her awards include Irving’s High Spirited Citizen Award, and Irving Cancer Society’s Rising Star. Dana is passionate about community involvement and some of her contributions include: Irving Arts Board Member – Arts Reach Committee; co-host for ICTN’s About Town and featured panelist on Lunch with Pamela on Dallas cable; artistic director and coordinator for Community Concert Association’s performance of Together We Can and Las Colinas Symphony’s Tap Concerto. Ms. Davis-Bailey has been selected to speak at college career days as a role model for young adults, as well as donated services to many fundraisers (Irving Cares, Baylor Hospital of Irving, Irving Cancer Society, et al.) and local charities through dance performances by her resident Dance Company and staff.

Karen Cooper

Karen Cooper is a graduate of North Texas State University with a B.S. in Dance Education and has been teaching in Irving for over 30 years. Karen is a veteran instructor at Dana’s Dance Academy, teaching a variety of classes for the past 15 years.

She is President of Irving Ballet Company and works to annually produce the Nutcracker Ballet. As a choreographer, she has worked extensively with local schools and commercial productions.

The Greater Dallas Urban League Guild presented her with the 21st Century’s Most Promising Leader Award for her professional work and volunteer service to the community.

 

 

Lace McLaughlin

Lace McLaughlin Lace McLaughlin began her dance training at the age of three, igniting a lifelong passion for the art of dance. She has had extensive training in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern and musical theater. Lace directs the regional and national champion Corps d’Etoiles competition team at Dana’s Dance Academy. She has been awarded excellence in choreography and entertainment awards at regional and national dance competitions. Lace has had the pleasure of training with the late, great Buster Cooper and performed one of his pieces at the National Tap Dance Celebration in Dallas. She also trained with Bruce Lea of Fort Worth and was a part of the Bruce Lea Dance Factory competitive team. She later studied at Brookhaven College and had the opportunity to perform at American College Dance Festivals. Her teaching career started as an assistant teacher at her mother’s studio. She then worked as a competitive choreographer and taught lyrical and contemporary workshops. Now as a third generation dance teacher and choreographer she has been in the field of dance education for over 16 years. She hopes to spread her love of dance to her students and inspire them to never stop dancing!

Phil Gonzales

Philippe (ILL_PHIL) Gonzales started dancing in 2000 through a friend who asked him to do a pageant talent show. Once he found the love for dancing he never looked back. Starting his own crew in 2009, Phil formed the most dynamic dance crew –– “FootSoulgerz Krew” –– to hit the Dallas scene. The Footsoulgerz name was inspired by his favorite childhood cartoon: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” Hyping and charming the crowd, Phil constantly displays his passion for dance during his energetic performances on stage. Phil also has as a bigger goal than dance, and that’s sharing the word and inspiring people through his talent. Always a true believer in his faith, he makes sure God comes first before anything.

-Teaching Experience: Former Hip–Hip Director at Powerhouse of Dallas – 2016–18, Millennium Dallas – 2015–16, House of Funk Studios – 2012-13.

-Master Classes/ Workshops: Millennium LA; Millennium Dallas; Park Cities, Dallas; Center for Dance, Dallas; Clique Studios, Carrollton TX; House of Funk Theater, Farmers Branch TX.

-Performing Experience: World of Dance 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, Drake Super Bowl XLV Party, AT&T Performing Arts Center 2010, Raw Artist 2013, 2015.

-Music Videos: Pebbles Dali, Jake Dexter, Fusion X.

-Accomplishments: NDA Champion 2011, Texas Got Talent Grand Champion 2011, DMA Crew Competition Champion 2010, Street Battle Champion 2010, Dance USA Judge 2018.

Benita Thomas

Bharatanatyam is a major form of Indian classical dance. This style uses intricate footwork, facial expressions and hand gestures.