Shirley McPhail School of Dance

Shirley McPhail School of Dance has been providing quality dance education to children and adults in Austin and Central Texas for over 49 years.

A variety of disciplines are offered for children: “Twinkle Tots” for ages 2-3, a creative movement intro to dance; Combination Classes for ages 3-8; Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Musical Theater and Contemporary dance; Cotillion Austin-Style; Summer Camps; Summer Intensives for advanced dancers; and Troupe SMSDance, including both a Performing Troupe and a Competition Team.

Adult classes in Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Praise Dance offer exercise and fun for adults of all ages.

Now Accepting Registrations for Summer 2020!

New Students

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Testimonials

Thanks again for all of this. It’s great the girls can stay connected this way. I appreciate you guys so much!

The Naples Family

I just have to say how impressed I am. Thank you so so much! I’m not a natural dancer, but I’m going to do everything I can to help her.

The Shepard Family

I am so impressed with the care and support shown to our kids by the studio. These are unprecedented times, but our kids are going to see/feel how much they are loved. Thanks all of SMSD.

The Crouse Family

My 5 year old daughter started at SMSD in the Twinkle Tots program at age 3 and hasn’t stopped twirling! Since she loved music, singing and dancing, this was the perfect fit for her. The teachers we’ve had through classes and camps are all wonderful. We haven’t had a bad one yet, and the older girls in the Troupe are so sweet and loving to the littles. Sometimes the parent’s stay and watch, or chat, or go for a walk in the neighborhood, or the must needed errand to the grocery store next door. All children are well taken care of while there, and I trust SMSD and their staff with all my heart. Thank you Ms. Edwina, Ms. Lauris, Ms. Kristin, Ms. Whitney, Ms. Kayla, Ms. Teresa and everyone for being so encouraging and welcoming to our entire family.

Claire Cunningham

I love taking my adult tap class at SMSD! I never took tap as a child but thought it would be fun to try as an adult. And I was right! This is my 5th year taking classes there and I look forward to each week. I always leave with a smile on my face. Tap dancing has brought so much joy into my life! Thank you SMSD and Edwina!

Valerie J.

Adult Dancer

SMSD is the best! I love tap, and Edwina is AWESOME! I’ve met great friends, and I look forward to going each week to see everyone. As a bonus, I’m convinced that TAP stands for The Alzheimer’s Prevention Dance! I make sure to do whatever it takes to not miss any classes because it’s a fun way to stay young in mind, body, and spirit. I look forward to being back in class with continuing with Edwina this summer.