The West Briar Dance Company is the premier, audition-based performing ensemble at West Briar Middle School, designed for dedicated student artists who demonstrate excellence in technique, leadership, and commitment. More than a performance group, the company functions as a pre-professional training ground where students grow as dancers, creators, and leaders within a collaborative and culturally responsive environment.
Program Focus & Training:
Dance Company members engage in rigorous, high-level training that emphasizes:
• Technical proficiency across multiple styles (jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, and foundational techniques)
• Performance quality, artistry, and storytelling
• Choreographic development and creative risk-taking
• Discipline, accountability, and professional work ethic
Students rehearse consistently during the school day and in extended sessions leading up to performances, building stamina, precision, and ensemble cohesion.
Performance & Representation Opportunities:
Dance Company serves as the face of the WBMS Dance Program, representing the school across a variety of high-impact platforms:
• Winter & Spring Showcases
• Pep rallies and school-wide events
• Middle school dance competitions and adjudicated performances
• Collaborative performances with high school programs, including Inertia Dance Company and PRIDE Dance Team
• Featured appearances through partnerships such as Performing Arts Houston, including performances at Jones Hall
Student Leadership & Ownership:
A defining feature of Dance Company is its strong emphasis on student leadership and agency. Students serve in both artistic and community-based roles, including:
• Dance Officers: Captain, Co-Captain, Technique Officer
• Social Officers: President, Vice President, Secretary
Leaders support rehearsals, mentor peers, assist with choreography, and help cultivate a positive, accountable team culture rooted in respect and excellence.
The Company Experience:
Dance Company is intentionally structured to develop the whole dancer. Through shared rehearsals, performances, and reflective practices, students build:
• Empathy and peer support through collaborative choreography
• Emotional regulation in high-pressure performance settings
• Confidence and resilience through constructive feedback and growth
• A strong sense of belonging and identity within a team
Students are not only performers—they are co-creators, contributing ideas, movement, and vision to the work they present on stage.
Distinctive Features:
What sets the West Briar Dance Company apart:
• Integration of culturally responsive pedagogy and social-emotional learning into performance training
• Opportunities to engage in production-based experiences through the Williams Lab Dance Production Project
• A focus on student voice, leadership, and ownership within the creative process
• Preparation for high school dance programs and beyond, both technically and professionally
Commitment & Expectations:
WBMS Dance Company members are expected to commit to the following:
• Morning rehearsal schedule: 6:30am/3-5 days weekly.
• Afternoon and weekend rehearsal and/or commitments may be arranged.
• Mandatory individual summer dance hours/camp
• Financial commitment to cover: Competition fees, costume, team attire, etc.
• Adhere to WBMS Dance Company constitution and academic/behavior standards.
• Lead by example
Outcomes & Impact:
Dance Company members leave the program with:
• Advanced technical and performance skills
• Leadership experience and collaborative expertise
• A deep understanding of discipline, responsibility, and teamwork • The confidence to pursue future opportunities in dance and the arts
The Standard:
West Briar Dance Company sets the tone for excellence across campus. Students are challenged to rise, lead, and represent—not only through performance, but through character.
They don’t just perform the work.
They become the standard.