Dance Dynamics Shining Stars is a special needs dance team for male and female dancers with developmental disabilities. The team perform as an exhibition team at dance competitions. The squad was created 10 years ago and is now made up of 21 athletes.


A handful of the athletes from Shining Stars at practice.

Shining Stars was designed to develop body awareness and motor skills, explore rhythmic activities and creative movement, increase self-esteem, and encourage self-expression in a positive, safe, and nurturing team environment. The squad does anywhere from seven to 10 performances each season and is now working to take their performances to the next level: the 2018 Dance Worlds. The athletes will be working to receive a bid to Worlds at their various competitions this season.


One of the 15 volunteers dancing with the Shining Stars at practice.

Shining Stars is coached by Melissa Powell, a special education and life skills teacher at The Woodlands High School. Melissa is in her 11th year with Dance Dynamics. She has a degree in special education and over 25 years experience with special education students. Fifteen volunteers help Powell run the dance team.


The Shining Stars athletes and volunteers dance in a circle at the Dance Dynamics studio.

"Every competition the team gets a standing ovation," Powell told FloCheer. "They love it, they are always so excited. They didn't get to perform growing up in choir or in elementary graduations. This gives them the opportunity to be in front of a crowd."

Last year the squad performed a lyrical hip-hop routine to the song "True Colors" with the theme that "There Is Always Room For Change." The athletes wore tie-dye shirts that represented all 15 disabilities on the team with the hashtag #Acceptance.

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Will we see Dance Dynamics Shining Stars at the 2018 Dance Worlds? Stay tuned to find out!

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