We were lucky to catch up with Terrill Mitchell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Terrill, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission the drives your brand?

I created HTX Connect for exactly what the name represents, to connect! We have such an amazing dance community, one who supported me as I developed my performing career here, and one that continues to support me as a dance educator, choreographer, and consultant.

The amount of talent we have access to in Houston is off the chart, which provides limitless resources for our local dance community. HTX Connect was created to strengthen our community by acting as a resource where we connect, share, and celebrate the various organizations, educators, and dancers that contribute to our community. We host local events that are designed to be non-competitive, inclusive, and inspirational. Our largest event brings in 40+ local instructors all for a week-long summer dance event.

Our hope is that our platform creates a ripple effect and inspires others to inspire, support, and CONNECT!

Terrill, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

There is a lot about me because I’m all over the place, but it’s fun, and mostly organized! Haha! I’m a 15 year resident of Houston, originally from WV. I moved here after receiving my BA in Dance from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA and joined the beautiful Houston Metropolitan Dance Company. This company gave me the best platform to build my professional performing career and helped me build a beautiful relationship with our local dance community. I remained a company member for seven years before fully focusing on the educational side of dance. I fell in love with teaching as much as I did performing. I was a Company Director for a wonderful competitive studio and that taught me how to treat people, the values of communication, and my self worth. I made a lot of mistakes but had some amazing people in my corner to help see me through them.Fast forward and I am now on faculty for Dupree Dance Convention, a nationally touring education platform where I strive to change lives with every class I teach. This has definitely become my purpose in life and I learn something new about myself with every city we travel to.

Over the years, Ive focused a lot on creating a technique focused class and have developed a nice following with it. My classes are intense but very necessary if you want to grow your classical jazz technique. The freelance side of my career allows me to travel to many organizations each year, teaching, creating, and now consulting. I’ve had the opportunity to create curriculums for various studio programs, as well as provide teacher training opportunities. I love being a resource for people, as well as connecting them to other like-minded people.

Who knows what’s next for me!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

This is easy, community and connection. During my performing years, the audience became family. You would see your students in the audience, their parents, friends and friends of friends, etc. This really helped create a safe space to be my most authentic self. Those performing opportunities led to teaching opportunities from local studios. A studio owner would either see a performance or get a referral and the next thing I know, I’m gaining new studio family members. The Houston Dance Community has really supported me and my growth by hiring me frequently, encouraging their kiddos to jump in my class, or even having necessary conversations with me to better my career. I really do have an amazing support system here.

My mission as a teacher is to create a class environment that connects to dancer’s universally. Even if you only have one take-a-way from my class, that is success to me. That mission really allows me to connect with studios as a whole and has lended towards helping develop my reputation in the community. I always say, “I’m not for everybody, but I sure do try to be.”

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Communication, Clarity, and Respect. Managing a faculty of 35 instructors in HTX Connect’s first event was lovely and very challenging. In the past, I’ve received emails from employers that did not feel inclusive or respectful and I remember how it made me feel. I don’t want anyone to ever experience that from me. Changing something as simple as “I” to a “We,” can make a world of difference. Make your team feel valued, honored and celebrated, and most importantly, make them feel safe enough to be a part of the conversations.

Be the example! How you treat yourself is seen by your team. Allow your transparency to hold a positive value instead of a negative one. If you want a team who genuinely wants to celebrate other’s and themselves, you have to do the same!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.htxconnect713.com
• Instagram: @htxconnect713
• Facebook: @htxconnect713
• Youtube: YouTube.com/htxconnect713
• Other: www.terrillmitchell.com

Image Credits
@ashkanimage