Dulin’s family moved frequently during her childhood but always put her in dance classes, she said. When her aunt saw a documentary on famed ballet instructor Marcia Dale Weary, she arranged for her niece to audition for the legendary teacher.
“I was 15, and Marcia said, ‘How bad do you want this?’ I told her I wanted it bad,” Dulin said.
Weary responded, “Then you’re going to have to relearn everything.”
Weary put Dulin in her beginner class with the 5-year-olds and told her she would have to trust her process.
Dulin’s trust paid off. She rose through eight levels of ballet in three years. But then an injury changed her professional trajectory, and a move to Texas brought a new chapter. Dulin married and had children and a career as a midwife. When her young daughter showed interest in ballet, her life pirouetted, she said.
“I’d always thought about having a studio where I could share Marcia’s training,” Dulin said. “When my daughter showed interest in ballet, I knew I wanted to offer her the kind of classical training she gave me.”
Dulin’s school opened in 2010 at the McKinney Performing Arts Center. In 2014, the school moved to its current location at 901 N. McDonald St. During the COVID-19 lockdown, the school pivoted to Zoom classes. Attendance shrank to 20 students. Dulin said growing her business had been a challenge since her classes are different in that she offers classical training and holds ballet performances rather than focusing on recitals.
“COVID gave me time to reflect on the business and our branding,” Dulin said.
Word of mouth and referrals are the school’s primary advertisement, she said.
“Often, folks who attend our performances are inspired to check out the school and sign up their children,” Dulin said.
Last year, Dulin converted the school into a nonprofit to reach out to the community more, offer scholarships and raise funds for a permanent location.
The school has 80 students ages 3-60 with room for more, Dulin said. Her cadre of “serious students” attends class five to six days a week. Her adult students are often parents who want to learn alongside their kids.
“I love seeing students’ eyes go wide as they realize they are catching on, feeling their muscles,” Dulin said. “It’s so beautiful to see that progress.”
Another reward to teaching, Dulin said, is watching her students bond and form enduring friendships.
Dulin teaches the majority of the classes, about 40 each week. Other teachers offer jazz, tap and Pilates classes.
Texas Youth Ballet
901 N. McDonald St., Ste. 705, McKinney
214-477-9434
www.texasyouthballet.org
Hours: Mon.-Tue., Thu. 3:30-9 p.m.; Wed. 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri. 4:30-9 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Sun.
