“International Broadway Dancer Creates Dance Champions”
Misty Copeland, Lauren Anderson, Karina González and Arthur Mitchell are just a few who have broken racial barriers on the plié platform. But who among those of the next generation will continue the advancement of individuals of color in the world of dance? The Houston Dance Lab, aka “The Lab,” has created a unique and effective formula in its efforts to produce and prepare the best of the best to be competitive in the world of dance artistry. Founded in 2010, The Lab’s purpose is not just about preparing one’s body for ballet and other forms of dance, but also the mind and soul. Traci Greene is the owner and artistic director of The Lab, a true gem in the Houston community. Not only does Greene’s impressive resume as a dancer span over twenty years, she is also an instructor. Based on her years of extensive training and experience training all over the world with the other accomplished dance masters, she has perfected The Lab’s formula for more than just fancy footwork.
Greene began her dance training in Chicago, under the direction of Ballet Master Madame Elizabeth Boitsov of the Bolshoi Ballet. She continued her dance training in high school and was awarded a NAACP Act-So award for dance. Her passion for dance continued through college where she was captain and choreographer of the Southern University Dancing Dolls and received a State Farm Miss Bayou Classic Presidential Scholarship. After college, Greene pursued her professional dance career in Los Angeles and New York City. Her professional training concluded at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, where she received numerous awards in the areas of acting and dance before landing her first International Broadway tour of a “West Side Story.” On tour, she was appointed the position of female dance captain by Tony Award-winning Broadway choreographer/director, Joey McKneely. In 2007, Greene rejoined the cast of “West Side Story” through special invitation in Paris, France for its 50th Anniversary tour. Greene also danced with acclaimed Broadway choreographer Donald Byrd on the musical workshop of “The Color Purple on Broadway” which was later produced by Oprah Winfrey. Greene continued to train, teach and choreograph throughout the U.S before finally opening The Houston Dance Lab in 2010.
The Lab has remained an acclaimed dance school, because its foundation is built on purpose, passion, and the discipline of dance.
The Lab is award-winning and widely recognized for their dance curriculum that is strategically designed for all ages, dance levels and skill sets. This dance company’s method not only introduces a diverse student roster to the art of dance, but also develops and perfects the dance skills of those with the passion, raw talent and ability to have a long-established and well-respected career in the performing arts. The Lab takes great pride in pushing their students to go beyond the limits of their craft and encourages them to make their own mark on platforms across the globe. The Lab has catapulted the careers of many, with their students being accepted to the summer intensive programs of some of the country’s most prestigious dance companies including the American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Radio City Rockettes, Debbie Allen Dance Academy and Joffrey Ballet.
Q&A with Traci Greene, Instructor, Owner and Artistic Director of The Houston Dance Lab
How would you describe The Houston Dance Lab? The Lab is a dance training facility that prepares young dancers to adapt to the ever-changing evolution of dance. We teach ages 4-18 from beginners to advanced. We make the experience of dance enjoyable for those who want to train recreationally, and we provide exceptional technical training and performance and competitive opportunities for the more serious dancer.
What does The Houston Dance Lab bring that goes beyond dance for your students? We build self-esteem and confidence. We give our students the opportunity to express themselves creatively and share the joy and respect for dance. The Lab reinforces discipline, commitment, team work, accountability, humility, self-worth and other important life skills that are needed to lead a successful and balanced life. Unlike most dance schools, we have provided opportunities for our students to train outside of the city of Houston at some of the industry’s top training facilities, through summer camp training programs.
How have you seen dancers of color like Misty Copeland and others make an impact on the attitude of your dancers and The Houston Dance Lab? We have seen how our young dancers and their parents seem to have more of an interest in classical ballet. Our dancers exhibit more patience and discipline in ballet class. They have more of an interest in competing in ballet competitions and researching ballet dancers and ballet companies. Misty Copeland has definitely made young dancers of color see that a professional principal career as a minority at the American Ballet Theatre is attainable. It has also been important to the self-esteem of our young dancers to see these positive images of minority dancers on social media.
What are the future goals for The Houston Dance Lab? We are expanding our Performance Team Program which is designed to build well-rounded dancers, and implementing our new Excel-Erated Ballet Training program. This training program will provide top level classical and contemporary ballet training to dancers who only wish to study ballet. The Lab is also excited to host guest teachers, dance professors and choreographers from all over the country providing invaluable information and instruction to our students.
What would your current and past students say about their training and experience at The Houston Dance Lab? They would say that it is quite challenging, but an absolutely rewarding experience. Our students consider The Lab their second home. They know we are a family of parents and instructors who want the very best for them and we expect the best from them in all areas of their lives, not just dance. Lasting friendships between students have also been established here.
How is the art of dance a benefit to a young person’s development? Dance is more than a recreational activity. Studying dance teaches valuable life skills, like tenacity, discipline and a great work ethic. It also opens doors for college scholarships and traveling the world. The students see dance as more than just a hobby; it is a life-changing experience.
As much as Greene has a heart for the art of dance, she has an equal love for her community and for all young people being afforded opportunities to be professionally trained in the discipline of dance. An extension of The Lab is The Lab Performing Arts Initiative (LPAI). This 501 (c)(3) philanthropic initiative founded by Greene is a scholarship talent-based program providing those under-represented on the dance platform a great and impactful experience in several areas of dance. In addition, the recipients also receive performance experience on a local, regional and national level. Greene says, “We hope to provide more opportunities for young dancers around the Houston area to study dance through our community outreach and merit-based scholarship program.”
Located in the heart of Houston’s Galleria area, The Lab goes above and beyond teaching just dance. Yes, The Lab is a fun platform to learn dance, but it also provides a formula that includes a solid structure in different dance genres and disciplines. They provide students the exceptional training necessary to be prepared for a successful dance future. “We love to teach dance, but we also enjoy the opportunity to see how the training and support that we provide has empowered our young dancers and afforded them many opportunities,” Greene expresses.
For more information on The Houston Dance Lab, please contact Traci Greene at houstondancelab@gmail.com or 713-320-5121. Visit The Lab on the web at www.houstondancelab.com.
