Cedar Park Dance Company in Cedar Park, Texas, is owned by Amy Mersmann-Martinez and Courtney Lopez is the studio’s Director. Amy founded Cedar Park Dance Company in July of 2001 with the hope to share her passion and loe of dance with the Cedar Park community. She brings 20 years of dance training and over 15 years of teaching experience to the studio. Courtney holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Dance from the University of Texas at Austin. She has trained under several well known dancers and attended and participated in master classes offered by several renown dance companies. For this article, we interviewed Courtney Lopez.
It is Cedar Park Dance Company’s mission to instill a love and appreciation for the art of dance in each student. They believe that dancers should gain poise, grace and confidence through the classes they attend there. Cedar Park Dance Company believes in building up positive personalities with positive feedback. They strive to give their students the best dance education possible while not losing sight of the reason children want to dance, for the joy and happiness that it brings to them.
According to Courtney, their studio offers a variety of classes and levels for all ages. They pride themselves in quality instruction not only focusing on technique and skill but passion. One of their classes they are most proud of is their Movement Therapy class. The Movement Therapy class is for children with special needs. Its focus is to encompass the nature of dance and to provide an expressive movement base outlet for learning through the Art of Dance while opening new doors of possibilities unimaginable before. They provide this outlet for learning by utilizing various props and music as well as Ballet and Jazz techniques welcoming dance experience. This classroom based experience has a lot to offer each child, i.e., self-confidence, self-expression, musicality, improves gross and fine motor skills, develop social skills, 
provide group based learning and the ability to perform on stage in their end of the year recital.
In Courtney’s opinion, Cedar Park Dance Studio is separated from other dance studios by the variety of classes available – whether they want to take a recreational class, perform, compete or excel to a profession in dance.
Courtney finds that her proudest moment coaching is seeing her dancers gain the confidence to dance or perform on their own on stage and seeing the pure joy in their students’ faces.
She believes that the biggest mistakes she see dancers make is negatively comparing themselves to others. This prohibits them from growing and diminishes their passion. They need to focus on their own strengths and use others as inspirations instead of a scale of where they should be.
Courtney’s goals for this year are for parents and dancers to enjoy the experience of dancing and not just focus on the awards.
Although Courtney does not own the studio, it is her desire to share her passion for dancing and with others and to help them grow into their own passion. She believes she can do that as the director of Cedar Park Dance Company.
Directed by Courtney Lopez, The Company, formerly Envision, is a competitive and performance company for the ore intense dancers from 6 to 18 years old. Company members have the opportunity to develop skill in the following dance styles: contemporary, lyrical, modern, jazz, musical theatre, tap, clogging and hip hop. Company members will attend competitions, conventions and perform with the 
community at local events and shows. They will have the opportunity to attend master classes and workshops and learn from leading professionals in the dance industry.
The Company’s mission is to give dancers the opportunity to explore the performance aspect of dance without the competition element. With this company, they strive to introduce dancers to the process of learning choreography, putting together a show and performing in a community.
If you would like more information about Cedar Park Dance Company, visit their website at cedarparkdance.com, call them at 512-257-9722 or email them at info@cedarparkdance.com. You can also “Like” them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and connect with them on Instagram.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Courtney Lopez of Cedar Park Dance Company.
Written By Cyndi Marziani
Owner
BDancewear.com
