As part of our ongoing "Getting to Know Your Local Businesses" series, this week we sat down with Starla Gregory, founding director and owner of Legacy Performing Arts Academy.
Tell us a bit about your business: What does your business offer, and how long have you been around?
We are a family owned and operated dance studio. Legacy offers a quality
dance experience by providing a well-qualified faculty of instructors. Legacy Academy offers a recreational (core) dance program, including Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz Contemporary, Intro to Broadway, Hip Hop, and Fusion (a combination of gymnastics and dance). Legacy is very excited about our preschool dance program known as the “Legacy Littles” which is designed to teach children dance with a creative twist.
We are also proud of our Competition/Company Team that elevates our dancers to challenge themselves in both training and competition.
How did you decide to get involved in this line of work?
In 1996, I opened my first dance studio located in Humble, Texas. In 2006, I made the move to Atascocita by partnering with Atascocita Community Church to provide a non-profit dance studio. In 2015, it became obvious that we had outgrown our current location and decided to return to a business studio. We opened the doors to our beautiful new location at 8034 FM 1960 in Humble in August 2016.
Because being involved in the arts has always been a family affair, I, along with my daughters, Tiffany McGilbery, Brittany Franks and Courtney Clements, decided to name our studio Legacy.
Our oldest daughter, Tiffany McGilbery, attended Sam Houston State University for Musical Theater. Tiffany has been teaching young children dance since she was 16 years old and runs our preschool program.
Our middle daughter, Brittany Franks, graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Houston with her degree in Event Management and Business. Brittany became a certified teacher after graduating from college and was recently able to leave her job with Humble I.S.D. to work full-time at Legacy. Brittany’s accomplishments also include numerous dance and physical fitness certifications.
Our youngest daughter, Courtney Clements, graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Houston with her degree in Dance and Journalism. Courtney was also a Cougar Doll and was named Choreographer of the year for the University of Houston’s Dance Department in 2017.
Tell us a couple things you are proud of about your business. What are you known for? What separates you from the competition?
If I had to pick one thing that I am most proud of, it would have to be the quality of my instructors. They love what they do and the students they teach. The faculty is always willing to train themselves in order to provide better instruction in their classes.
What is your favorite part of running this business?
I love producing our shows and introducing new adults and children to the enjoyment of dance. I love nurturing our young dancers and seeing them grow into confident young men and women.
Our society tries to influence young people in other directions. Whether our girls and guys want to go professional or need an activity to stay physically fit, we encourage them to pursue their passion.
If they are interested in competing, we encourage them to participate in city, regional, state and national team-based competitions.
Each year, we promote one big show, which is held the weekend after school is out. Our Academy members showcase their talents at this annual production. They amaze me every single year!
Who is your ideal customer/client? Who do you serve best?
Anyone age two and older who loves to perform is our ideal customer.
Is there any other information you'd like your potential customers/clients to know about your business?Mention this article and receive ballet shoes with a paid annual registration or $10 off our annual registration fee ($35 annual registration fee).
To register online and learn more about our recreational, competition, theatre and children's programs, visit our
website. To read reviews from our customers, message a member of our team or watch informative videos, visit our
Facebook page.
How do you see your business growing and improving over the next couple of years?We will continue to improve the quality of our professional dance programs, setting ourselves apart with all the genres and nuances of performance art. We are also pursuing an outside evaluation program to advance our facility to the next level.
In addition, we will continue to maintain our award-winning dance program.
To learn more about Legacy Performing Arts Academy, visit their profile at
Atascocita.com.
