Local parents provide safe-haven for dance culture

About a year ago, the idea of directing her own dance studio in the community was a dream for social worker April Coghill. However, with the help of various residents, volunteers, businesses and instructors, that dream has become a reality not only for Coghill, but also for about 50 young students who have a passion for dance.

"Dance was certainly the thing that gave me the confidence to know that I could do anything," Coghill said. "Ultimately, [dance] is what made me a success."

Coghill, along with eight other parents in the community, had the vision of re-imagining the traditional dance studio with the focus on the students and the culture of dance. After Coghill first realized her vision and shared it with the others, the parents realized their array of professional experience could help turn the dream into reality, she said.

"I taught dance at studios in the past, and I noticed that the parents were always so powerless," Coghill said. "I started doing my research and called a meeting with some like-minded parents and laid [my idea] out for them. Nine months later, here it is."

Cypress Dance Project—a nonprofit dance studio—first opened its 5,000-square-foot location in late June.

"As a nonprofit, we can invest more into the community and team building element. We can also invest a majority back into the company."

The studio now offers several dance programs for clients from 2 years old to 18 and older.

"At this point, we are just starting to teach our parents," Coghill said. "We want to expand to offer yoga and adult ballet and some funky jazz classes to keep parents out of the lobby and keep them entertained. I want this to be a community of wellness—one where people can come together and really enjoy the culture of dance."

The studio operates under five committees compiled of volunteer parents who handle day-to-day operations as well as fundraising efforts such as birthday parties and community events. Cypress Dance Project has received support from Cypress companies and residents. NewQuest Property invested a brunt of the build-out costs, Behr Construction donated materials and local parents volunteered countless hours of work into the project.

Classes range from ballet to jazz to hip-hop and are each taught by certified dance instructors. Adult fitness classes are being launched as well, Coghill said. In the future, Cypress Dance Project hopes to interact with the community on a regular basis, offer services to the entire family and provide children with scholarships.

"Our goal is have 100 students enrolled by New Year's," Coghill said. "There's plenty of work to be done around here. Let's see what happens when you're just a little more giving with dance rather than exclusive."

Cypress Dance Project, 12358 Jones Road, Houston, 281-469-4882, www.cypressdanceproject.com