Paradice at BA 

 

                             

                    

                By: Lesly Alvarez, 12

 

 

 

Yes Paradice. But not the one you’re thinking about. Although we all know that it IS paradise at BA. Go Cougars! No, we're talking about Sammi Paradice, the new director of DanceVersity as well as the assistant director of the Belles and Kellies.

 

Ms. Paradice wants to share her knowledge of dance with students because she has been immersed in different dance cultures and styles both professionally and throughout her life. One of her proudest professional dance experiences has been being a member of of the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue Dancers a high-energy co-ed hip-hop dance team that performs before Cowboys home games and after the team scores. The Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue Dancers is the first and only entertainment concept of its kind in the National Football League.

 

Paradice was born in in Killeen, Texas and grew up in a competitive dance studio starting at age 4. She graduated from Harker Heights High School in Killeen. Fort Hood is located outside of town so it is a really diverse region in which she made many friends. 

 

She earned a Fine Arts degree from The University of North Texas in Denton. Her hardest task in college initially was the process of achieving the big goals but in reality the main goal was to get the smaller goals along the way like working hard and not giving up.

 

"There are a lot small obstacles and if you reach them then you can achieve the big goals," she said.

 

Some of her achievements after college have been, being chosen as a featured dancer for the Eli Young Band in their music video "Turn it on". She also opened for Flo-Rida when he performed at House of Blues in Houston.

 

"This was an all day video shoot that was a ton of fun," she said.   

 

Additionally she choreographed numerous award-winning competitive dance & drill team routines.

 

Paradice was introduced to Bryan Adams High School by the original director Bethany Anguiano who helped her bring out her creative side and to push her out of her comfort zone.

 

"I was extremely honored and excited to come to BA!" She said. " This is my first position in public school. I love working under Amy Solorio as well because she is so organized and passionate about growing the dance program here."

 

When she came to BA Paradice didn't know what to expect but has been surprised by the students in her dance classes.

 

"! I knew I was going to love working with the Belles, DanceVersity and Kellies," she said, "but I had no idea that my Dance 1 kids would be so great as well!"

 

Sammi Paradice sees a lot potential in the young dancers at BA and hopes to help them acheive their goals in Dance.

 

"Set small goals to achieve the bigger goals in the end," she said. "Success does not come overnight! If you are willing to make sacrifices and stay hungry to learn, your possibilities are endless."

 

09.23.17