PRIVATE LESSONS

• Performance Coaching
• Audition Training
• Choreography

How we can help you:  We specialize in performance coaching, audition training and choreography. Our focus is to motivate, inspire, and to help you achieve your performance goals. We want to be a part of making your dreams come true.

Who are our students? Students include those auditioning for dance teams and officer tryouts, soloists for competitions, and pageants.

Dance team and officer candidates auditioning for a high school or college team often seek our services. We work with young hopefuls auditioning for the very first time to dedicated performers seeking the title of captain. Skills such as leaps, turns, and kicks are taught as well as solo and interview training for the officers.

Performance coaching may include technique, musicality, staging of the movement, acting for dancers, and discovering the "you"-niqueness of the talent. Solo and small group competitors often visit me for a “cleaning” before a contest to ensure higher points on the score sheet. Dancers who compete appreciate my objectivity and ability to bring out the best in each performer. Also dancers who are looking for tips on performing with greater overall expression of the face and body often benefit from my coaching.

What kind of audition training is offered? Audition training prepares you for getting a specific part. The focus of the lesson is to hone areas needing addressed for that particular audition. Helpful “how to” performance tips are shared.

You are the choreographer: Beginning dance makers seek help for creating dances. We share knowledge of choreography tools, music, and skills to build dances in which you make the choices. We help to shape the vision so that the end result is an original work by you.

Backstage Coach is the choreographer: A choreographer will make the dance for you. Ability level, style, and music choice are addressed for each individual. Whether it’s for an audition or competition, we work to create a piece that fits your personality.

Fact sheet critique: Consider this application to represent you just like a professional résumé. The written word speaks volumes in reflecting a person’s leadership and performance potential. A well written résumé may also aid in earning scholarships. Receive feedback regarding grammar, appropriate word choice, and content. Let your application standout as an original and savvy performance on paper.

"Thank you again for the coaching you provided for Susan’s solo. Your influence made a HUGE difference when she performed it at a national dance competition on Friday!!! The emotion in her performance was cranked up by 1000%. Her director and others commented that it was the best they’ve ever seen her perform it." - Grateful Mom

Train with the best: Here's what dancers are saying ...

"The class that you taught was excellent because it worked my rear off, and I need that sort of exercise! I also liked the type of exercises and dance moves that you did. I learned a lot more in that class than I did throughout my whole career of dancing! You showed me about the way my arms needed positioning or the way my legs need to be turned out, even if it is just the little things, you helped me a lot, and I appreciate everything you did for me!"

— Meagan Nugent, Award winner for XD2 Dance Studio Competition Team, American Dance/Drill Team School, and Starmakers

"P.S. The beginning stretches that you did, I use that every morning when I get out of bed!! Thanks."

"When it was my groups turn to perform guess who came out to watch. The director of DCC. So I was a bit nervous then one of the DCC girls asked me to move to front center. Now I was totally nervous because Mrs. Finglass was right in front of me the whole time I danced. After my group was done she smiled at me and told me good job. I was so relieved that I didn't mess up. I have to say thank you for all the help that you have given me in preparing me for that moment and for the tryouts. You gave me my confidence back and now I only hope that I can show you that I was worth your effort. Thank you again."

— BreAnna Pitts, Finalist for Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Dallas Mavericks Dancers, Dallas Desperados

"What you have done for Rebekah is nothing short of astonishing. Because of your caring and direction she hung in there and made Stingerettes the second time. You are a hero to Rebekah. She looks up to you and wants to emulate you. You have made a major difference in this child's life. The work you do is important and valuable. You make a difference in the lives of many!"

— George Warner, Father of Rebekah Warner

"Gina Sawyer is an excellent and inspiring dance instructor! Working with her improved my dance technique dramatically, and raised my confidence level. She helped me prepare for drill team auditions and with her help I not only made Stingerettes, but I also placed #4 out of the top five candidates."

— Elizabeth Almon, former Utley Freshman Center Jacket Babe and current Sophomore Stingerette, Rockwall High School

"With one on one instruction Ms. Sawyer helped me perfect my leaps, turns, and kicks. She showed me stretches to do at home and exercises to build stamina. Ms. Sawyer is a wonderful, experienced dancer and teacher. Through video taping the session I was able to see exactly what elements needed more work which in turn made my Apache Belles audition a success."

— Bailey Ephland, Freshman Apache Belles Gold, Tyler Junior College