Tracy Davenport and her mother, Martha Davenport, founded The DANCE CO. of St. Charles in 1984. They were looking to give young dancers the opportunity to develop their talents and some performing experience past the dancing school level. Tracy served as the Company’s first Artistic Director and Martha served as the Executive Director (which was anything “non-dance”). After just one season, a Second Company was added for younger dancers to have those same opportunities. Deborah Davenport held the position of Artistic Director for the Second Company. She and Tracy have been Artistic Directors for Company for forty years before stepping down from those “volunteer” positions. Throughout those years, the Company has seen many of the dancers go on to pursue professional careers in dance, nationally and internationally. The Company and those dancers will forever hold a very special place in their hearts!
Founders
Tracy Davenport Price – Tracy is a proud Diploma Fellow with the Cecchetti Council of America; one of 30 to hold this certificate with CCA in the entire US! Her professional performing career included over 20 productions touring companies with The Muny between 1976-1992. Tracy was also a KMOX Cardinal Dancer and a member of Tapischore, a St. Louis based rhythm tap company. Tracy is Past President of SLDTA Chapter #21, Dance Masters of America and served as a national officer for five years. In addition to teaching at Performing Arts Centre, Tracy has taught and choreographed for Lindenwood University, Fontbonne College, regional & national Cecchetti Workshops, regional & national DMA Conventions, DMA Teachers Training School, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, in-studio intensives across the country and was the first ballet faculty for Tap the Map. She and Debbie have trained many professional dancers, but are especially proud of their three Tap Dogs; Anthony, Richie and Phillip! Working with The DANCE CO. has been one of her favorite things in life.
Deborah Davenport – Debbie served as the first Artistic Director for Second Company in 1985. Debbie is a member of Dance Masters of America and the Cecchetti Council of America. She was a member of the Kansas City Royallaires Kickline and also a KMOX Football Cardinal Dancer. As a dancer with the St. Charles Civic Ballet, Debbie danced on several St. Louis TV shows. She has studied all forms of dance in New York and Chicago with an emphasis on jazz. Debbie is a graduate of Teacher Training School at the University of Buffalo. She was a guest teacher for the St. Louis Dancing Teachers and taught jazz for the dance department of Fontbonne College. Debbie’s choreography credits include a music video shown on St. Louis Cable TV, and with Tracy as co-choreographer for several promotional videos for Venture Stores and the Patt Holt Singers road show. She is Past President of Dance Masters of America’s Chapter 21. Debbie has served as a delegate to the National Dance Masters Convention and travels the US judging competitions and giving audition combos for regional Miss Dance competitions.