McPhail Shirley School of Dance

Specialties

Shirley McPhail School of Dance has been serving Austin since 1970. Classes for the «Young» and the «Young-​at-​Heart»:

Combo classes for children ages 3+

Ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, pointe, and drill team prep for ages 9+.

Adult classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary.

«Cotillion Austin-​Style» teaches manners, etiquette, and social dance to boys and girls ages 10 – 13.

History

Established in 1970.

Children and adults throughout Austin have been studying at Shirley McPhail School of Dance since 1970, when Shirley Wood McPhail started her dance studio, most likely never dreaming the impact it would have on Austin through the years. Literally tens of thousands of students have crossed the doors of SMSD, and an unbelievable number have returned, to dance again themselves and/​or to bring their children and even their grandchildren!

Miss Shirley’s philosophy and high standards have continued through the efforts of her daughter, Edwina McPhail Worley, who became Owner/​Director of the studio in 1997. Edwina and her staff of dedicated dance professionals teach all traditional forms of dance and emphasize the development of mental and physical growth, coordination, poise, and the grace of each individual.

Meet the Business Owner

Edwina W.

Business Owner

Miss Edwina graduated from UT with a B.A. in Education and has been teaching dance for 34 years. She grew up dancing at her mother’s studio, the Shirley McPhail School of Dance. Edwina studied dance in 1974 – 75 at Sullins College in Bristol, VA, and then returned to UT to get her degree in Physical Education.

She has been on the faculty for several dance conventions (TATD) and «Tap it Up.» She also served on the TATD Board of Directors for 20 years. Ever since her mother’s death in 1997, she has continued the SMSD traditions of dance here in Austin.

She brings a loving spirit and desire to «share my love of dance with your children – or yourself.» Her boundless energy and organizational and managerial skills make SMSD a joyful place to be.