09/17/2026
Happy 20th
20 Years. They/Many Thought I Couldn’t Do It.
Twenty years of opening the doors to The Beat Dance Factory and getting to share my love, my knowledge, my passion, and even my brutally honest opinions about dance with the dancers and families of this community. I didn’t get this handed to me I did it on my OWN.
Twenty years of watching little girls and boys, walk through my doors and, eventually, watching them walk across graduation stages as strong, confident, respected young adults.
So many have gone on to do things I could have never imagined when they first walked into my studio.
I sometimes laugh when I think about the things my dancers might say about me.
Some may say, “Miss Melanie ruined me.” 😂
Others may say, “Miss Melanie gave me the confidence I was looking for.” 😊
And honestly?
I’ll take either one.
Because somewhere between the tears, the corrections, the hard rehearsals, the long days, the uncomfortable conversations, the competitions, the performances, and the moments when they probably didn’t like me very much…
I was doing my job!
I was teaching dance.
Choreographing unique pieces that came to me in my dreams.
Learning for myself “what’s next”.
Winning awards.
All for my dreams of having a successful studio that I grew on my own and in my home town.
I was teaching discipline.
Confidence.
Perseverance.
Accountability.
How to fall and get back up.
How to work with people.
How to believe in yourself when nobody else does.
Owning a business in a small town is not easy.
I don’t want the size of our town to determine the size of their dreams.
Building a business in a small Texas town comes with its own VERY hard challenges. But I was up for it!
Many, Many times when I was told by others and other business owners that I wouldn’t last.
I felt I had NO support.
I was “stepping” on certain toes.
There have been accomplishments that I wished our community celebrated more. But didn’t.
There have been moments when I questioned whether I should keep going.
But every single year, since year one, I have made the same vow:
I will give these dancers every opportunity that I possibly can.
The Beat Dance Factory may not be the “biggest” studio. Or longest “running” studio.
But what we have is heart and TECHNIQUE.
For 20 years, we have opened doors.
We’ve taken dancers to New York.
We’ve taken them to Disney.
We’ve been Guest performers for a Harlem Globetrotters game.
We’ve performed for many communities in and around Mineral Wells area.
We’ve been recognized by some of the TOP dance ARTISTS in the world! OVATION! ENCORE!
We’ve given our dancers opportunities to train with people they once only dreamed of MEETING.
We’ve exposed them to different styles, different artists, different places, and a world much bigger than our little town.
And most importantly, we’ve given them a place to belong.
A place to express and be themselves.
A place where they could dance.
A place where they could dream a little bigger.
A place they can walk out of and “teach” at another, cause they know the “steps” to do so!
A place of truth and honesty.
I’ve cried over this business.
I’ve experienced some incredible highs and some absolutely brutal heartbreaking lows.
I’ve have sacrificed over this business.
I’ve questioned myself on a daily.
I’ve fought anyone that has stood in my way.
I’ve kept going. Even when the slander and racism attacks.
But, I’ve celebrated the HUGE goals that have been met.
Every time I see a former dancer become a nurse, a teacher, an engineer, a director, a leader, a mother, or simply a good human being, I am reminded why I started in the first place.
Twenty years later, I don’t regret the relationships that came and went.
I don’t regret the hard lessons. Especially the “learned” lessons.
I don’t regret the sleepless nights.
I don’t regret the sacrifices.
And I certainly don’t regret fighting for my dancers. Even when they leave for, a discounted rate of tuition, free tuition, “teaching”, or other “competition” teams. It makes for a HUGE compliment!
I did something right for them to be even asked.
The Beat Dance Factory was never just about dance.
It was about opening doors.
It was about showing kids from a small town that their world could be bigger.
It was about giving them opportunities they may never have known existed.
It was about who YOU are and NOT your STATUS.
And it was about believing in them—even when they didn’t yet believe in themselves.
I continue to believe NO matter what!
So here we are…
20 years later.
They/many thought I couldn’t do it.
Some still try and push it down. (Thank you for the push)
But I did! I did for 20 years!
Thank You to the ones that always believed in me.
Thank you Mom, Dad, and Sandy.
Thank you Haley, Melissa, Persiphane, and Sunnee.
Thank You Kenneth, Clarke, Murphee, and Frankie.
Most Importantly thank you students past, present, and future.
I’m still here.
Still dancing.
Still teaching.
Still opening doors.
Still fighting for my dancers.
Still Training. (You always have to train)
Still allowing the dancing to SPEAK for itself.
Come to a show, performance, and see for yourself.
And after 20 years, I can honestly say:
I wouldn’t change a damn thing. Well maybe less crying..
Here’s to 20 years of The Beat Dance Factory. 🥂
20 years of memories.
20 years of ALL my heart.
And 20 more years of seeing just how far these little-town dancers can go. ❤️
Nothing will stop me, nothing… KEEP WATCHING there is so much MORE ahead!
— Mrs. Melanie
