Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence in the Arts!

PAULA HENSON

Celebrating 28 years of excellence in dance education, Paula Henson has brought dance into the lives of young dancers from all over Contra Costa County. Her training includes Pat Jackson's American Dance Center and Academy of Dance, directed by Lori Lee Silvagio, her inspiration! She also trained with Anne Marie Garvin in San Francisco and Kate Leland to whom she owes much gratitude. She continued her training each year in the summer with Joe Tremaine, Doug Caldwell, and Jackie Sleight. As a dancer, she performed the role of Sheila in “A Chorus Line” as well as dancing in the hit broadway show''Damn Yankees''. She was a member of the Olympic Dance Company in the opening ceremonies production of the 1984 Summer Olympics where she had the honor of dancing for the President, and Gene Kelley. She also appeared in the nightclub show ''Trickery'' and ''Our Affair With Astaire'' at OnStage Theater. She founded Dance Connection Performing Arts Centre in 1980 and it has since grown to become one of the largest dance training centers in Northern California and was recently voted one of “Top 50 Studios in the U.S.” by Dance Teacher and Dance Spirit Magazines and Top 25 in the U.S. by the FDC. Her school was featured in the October ‘07 issue of Dance Magazine and has also been featured in the CCTimes as the studio that “accepts and nurtures all”. Her dancers have been featured at DisneyWorld Florida performing on 3 major stages in 3 different parks, Disneyland in Anaheim, and four cruise ship shows including Royal Caribbean and Carnival as guest performers. She was also hired to present a show for the Cast Party of the Broadway touring company of ''Ragtime''. She was the choreographer for boyband ''Townsend'' and her work was seen at Macy's Passport Show in L.A., the opening act for Jessica Simpson, and the Silicon Valley Bowl Game. She also has been a choreographer for Bowl Games of America and her dancers performed at the Giant Stadium in S.F. Through the years, she has produced over forty theatrical shows at various theaters in the community, and her students have traveled nationally and internationally as performers. They have also received numerous awards and scholarships at regional and national events and major universities across the United States most recently being honored with the title Natinal Champions of Showstopper Nationals in L.A 2008. Her large performing arts centre also attracts some of the most sought-after professional choreographers in the industry as master teachers and guest choreographers including Marguerite Derricks (Mr.&Mrs. Smith, Austin Powers, Charlie's Angels, Gap Commercials) Liz Imperio (Cher, JLo, Madonna) Dorell Martine (director of Joffrey Summer Intensive) and Brianna Barcus (head of talent with Clear Talent Agency L.A.). Several of her students are currently dancing professionally in the entertainment industry on Broadway, major motion pictures, prime-time television and video. (please see ''alumni'' for more info) Paula welcomes you to DCPAC!!!