PRIVATE LESSONS

Performance Coaching and Audition Training

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 my students? Students include high school and college dance team hopefuls, officer candidates, and soloists training for competitions and pageants. The training ranges in ability from young hopefuls auditioning for the very first time to dedicated performers seeking the title of captain or first place.

What do you learn in a lesson?  I will first need to observe your current level of ability.  I ask each student to come prepared with a minute of both a dance and kick routine to evaluate.  Next, I will address dance and performance technique.  If you are choreographing your own work, we will critique this as well. Please supply a copy of the score sheet for the upcoming tryout or competition, and previous scores from these if applicable.  Officer candidates will learn interview skills and participate in a mock interview.

What is Preformance Coaching? 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.

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.

Backstage Coach Clients: I have coached dance/drill team hopefuls and officer candidates locally in the Dallas, Richardson and Plano area as well as from across the state of Texas.

Arlington Martin High School, Athens High School, Bishop Lynch High School, Clark High School, Crandall High School, The Colony High School, Dickinson High School, Frisco High School, Hurst-Euless-Bedford High School, Irving Girls Cheerleading Association, Irving Nimitz High School, J.J. Pearce High School, Kilgore High School, Longview High School, Lufkin High School, Midland High School, Mt. Pleasant High School, Naaman Forest High School, Plano High School, Rockwall High School, Sachse High School, Southlake Carroll High School, South Garland High School, Trinity Valley Cardettes, Tyler Apache Belles, Tyler Lee High School,  Wichita Falls High School and Wylie High School.

Testimonials:  Gina is an extremely talented dancer, performer and is very creative in her choreography. I feel very privileged to have learned from someone with such charisma, energy and a wealth of knowledge in her field! Again, thank you for your help! — Bethany Sturges, Former Dallas Desperados Dancer; Head Dance Captain, Apache Belles; Current Dance/Drill Team Director, Flower Mound High School

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 100%. Her director and others commented that it was the best they’ve ever seen her perform it.
---- Grateful Mom

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

With one-on-one instruction Ms. Sawyer helped me perfect my leaps, turns, and kicks. 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, Former Tyler Jr. College Apache Belle

Thank you again for all of your instruction. I observed my daughter playing back the video many times reviewing dance technique and interview tips. Your book has also been a tremendous source, not only did McKinley use it for the try-outs, Kaitlan used it as well for a interview with the Dallas Mavericks just this week!! Thank you again for all of your expertise.
---Dance/Drill Team Mom

I made CAPTAIN!!!!!! Thank you for all your help. You gave me so much confidence and I feel that I did my best job. I can't thank you enough. I'm so excited! Thank you!
---Stephanie Oliver