Cypress Dance Project
a non-profit dance studio
The Vision
April Coghill, an accomplished dance instructor who is also a professional social worker and a dance mom, dreamed about re-imagining the traditional dance studio with a focus on students and the culture of dance. She also wanted a studio where students were trained in proper technique from the beginning, parents were involved, and was community focused. In 2011 April shared her vision with eight other parents who were also frustrated with traditional dance studios. The group, excited about her vision, decided to open a studio that would provide a positive environment and the support their children needed, focus on their individuality, and offer high-quality instruction. They worked with businesses in the Cypress community who donated resources and put in hundreds of hours of their own time to build the facilities where their vision would be realized.
As the facility was being completed, the group laid out the plans for the operation of the studio. They were determined to share their passion for dance with the community and desired to make Cypress a better community through dance which included providing scholarships to economically challenged youth. These goals this led them to form a non-profit organization, a 501(c)3, with a Program Director and Board of Directors consisting of parents who volunteer their time. They also sought and hired highly trained, passionate instructors who love teaching children. After 9 months of hard work, the studio on Jones Road opened its doors in June 2012.
The Reality - Cypress Dance Project
CDP has created a positive studio culture and is building well-rounded, community-minded, confident, spirited dancers. The Academy classes are filled with students who are always encouraged to do their best and are guided in proper technique while having fun. They love their classes and instructors, can do their homework in the CDP Study Den between classes, have new friends who support each other and have developed discipline, confidence, and self-awareness that extend into their daily lives.
Students have danced at nursing homes and performed at numerous community events. The studio has opened its doors for events such as Parents’ Night Out and Truck or Treat and offered short summer sessions such as “Project Pop Star” to extend dance opportunities to the community.
In the past three years, the CDP Company, the competitive team, has won numerous awards for solos, duos, and group performances at both regional and national competitions. These include First Place Overall Small Group Recreational, Judges Awards for Most Entertaining and Poetry in Motion, and Best Studio at the KAR National Competition. They have also won awards for choreography and costumes.
Parents from all walks of life continue to be actively involved and gladly volunteer their time to improve the dance studio life experience. They are united in the belief that children can receive quality dance education and achieve amazing results with supportive, compassionate instruction. The strength of our parent base is critical to enable CDP to continue growing and developing spirited dancers and maintain momentum and currency with the community.
The Creative Force - CDP Program Director, April Y. Coghill, LMSW
The Cypress Dance Project is the brainchild of our inaugural Program Director, APRIL COGHILL, LMSW. As our fearless leader, April wears many hats including (but not limited to) dance instructor, mentor, support counselor, dance mom, publicist and friend. Her smile and passion are contagious as she seeks to unite and partner with Houston's growing dance and creative movement community. April's collaborative approach and ability to positively motivate young dancers to perform with passion and purpose without fostering competition is certainly unique. She embodies our CDP spirit and has made her mark in the Cypress Dance Community in a completely NEW and REVOLUTIONARY way! Originally from the Los Angeles area, April began her dance training at the age of 5 in ballet, jazz-contemporary, tap and clogging. She trained and performed on stages throughout California and earned scholarships with Joe Tremaine and Danny Hoctor. Her choreography has won top honors at national dance competitions such as Showstoppers, KAR, MOVE, StarBound and many more. Being a trained dancer, as well as an active dance mom, is not rare. What sets April apart is her career as a professional social work counselor. She earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Houston and has proudly served area children and families for over 15 years in schools, hospitals, the city of Houston and local community centers. In direct contrast to the dance teachers and moms featured on popular cable tv shows, April's decision-making and leadership approach ALWAYS navigates from the best interest of the child and she looks forward to partnering with you to facilitate the growth of your child as a dancer and a person. Above all, April cherishes her role as wife and mommy to dance diva Lola and lively Lennox. April practices yoga daily and works as a contract behavioral support counselor. She is a founding member, teacher, dancer and choreographer at CDP.
CDP warmly welcomes all its dancers and their families and extends an open invitation to visit and learn why Cypress Dance Project is the best thing to happen to DANCE in Cypress, TX, and the surrounding communities in years.
The Ruling Body
As part of the non-profit organization structure, there is Board of Directors consisting of parents who meet monthly to discuss staffing, cash flow, lessons learned, and initiatives. As the foundation of CDP, they proudly support, increase and maintain initatives designed to support the core values of Cypress Dance Project. Parents are nominated and elected on an ongoing basis to assure fresh programming perspective.