ANITA CONLEY
Founder and President of Studio A Dance, Anita Conley has been involved in the dance industry for over 35 years. This seasoned business woman with a heart as big as Texas created Studio A with the goal and passion of nurturing her students’ mental, spiritual and physical excellence through the art of dance.
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Anita developed a love of the performing arts at a very young age, dancing and singing along with operas and ballets on PBS. She excelled in dance team through high school, becoming captain of the H. Grady Spruce High School Sun Dancers. Anita then attended Tyler Junior College and performed as an Apache Belle, during which time they performed in the Super Bowl XII half-time show. In 1978, utilizing her dance team experience and her unique qualities of creativity, team building, and visionary leadership, she formed Danceline USA, a camp for original choreography and leadership training. Anita still serves as the President of the Board of Directors of Danceline, which just celebrated its 30 year anniversary. With little formal training, Anita’s next step in the dance world was to audition for the world-famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 1979. Through sheer grit and persistence, Anita honed her dance skills during her three seasons on the squad under the legendary choreographer Texie Waterman. As part of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, she was in the Elite Show Group, performed on U.S.O. Tours, was in the made-for-TV movie about the DCC, was highlighted in Good Housekeeping, Star Weekly Publications, was a lead vocalist on the “We Love the Cowboys” recording, and featured in the 1983 DCC Calendar.
In 1982 Anita graduated from Southern Methodist University with a B.A. in Health Education. Drawing on her life experiences and accomplishments, she has spoken to thousands of women of all ages as a motivational/inspirational speaker. With a desire to make the world a better place, her philanthropic service led her to begin a program with the Buckner Children’s Home in Dallas to help empower young women.
She and her husband, Bill, share their time, talents and treasures with others. They assisted the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the U.S. to place technology in Native American schools throughout the country. They also developed One-to-One Learning foundation to establish charter schools. They have instituted an educational and dance scholarship program and are passionate about sponsoring the drilling of water wells in Africa. Following the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games, Anita presented American dignitaries with photographs taken with President George W. Bush, on behalf of the U.S. Ambassador to China.
Anita became more involved in competitive dance when her daughter, Alexandra, began dancing and competing. With over 18 years of experience as a ‘dance mom’, she recognized the need for a nurturing, healthy environment for dancers and parents alike, thus founding Studio A in 2009. Anita loves life with her husband Bill and they enjoy doting on their two beautiful grandchildren. Anita approaches the opening of Studio A, a combined dream for her and daughter Alexandra, with pure joy and excitement.
Most recently Anita undertook a 5 year journey to share the incredible saga by, way of dance and drama, of the legendary Corrie ten Boom, a woman of hope and love. Anita’s monumental journey culminated in a sold out performance of The Weaving on June 13, 2010 in New York City’s Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center.
