Edwina Worley

Owner / Director

Edwina McPhail Worley began her dance education at age two, eventually becoming a dance teacher at age 16, under the direction of her mother and dance teacher, Shirley McPhail. As a young woman, she had aspirations of becoming a tap-dancing veterinarian. After studying dance and piano at Sullins College in Bristol, VA for one year, where she first experienced modern dance, she transferred to The University of Texas in 1975. Since UT did not offer a dance education program, Edwina took a degree in physical education. Post-graduation, she opened a Shirley McPhail School of Dance location on 183, and the rest is history!

In 1976, Edwina took her ballet examination for the Texas Association Teachers of Dancing. She switched gears and studied tap in the 1980-90s in Austin, Los Angeles, and New York. She is now a tap examiner for TATD and has assisted Jackie Troup Miller in the writing of the TATD exam book: Tips on Tap.

Edwina and her mother Shirley shared studio management duties together for 18 years before her untimely passing in 1997. She now shares these duties with her younger daughter, Kristin Smith. Her older daughter, Elizabeth McComas, also lives in Austin and works in the media field. Edwina’s high school sweetheart and husband of 43 years, Neal Worley, also runs his family business, Worley Printing. Larry, Edwina’s father, is still her business partner and #1 fan. Her Bonus Mom, Judy, runs the cotillion program and is Marketing Director at SMSD.

Edwina’s other interests are community bible study, fishing, jazz piano, handbells, and Mah Jongg. Her pride and joy are her two grandsons, James (3) and Jack (2), and her granddaughter, Lucy (8 months)!