Alisa Laraway
CEO / Owner
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Alisa Laraway is the founder and CEO of Alisa’s Dance Academy, a cornerstone of the Austin dance community since 1996. With a mission to provide a positive, professional, and nurturing space, Alisa created a studio culture where children of all ages can grow not only as dancers, but as confident, compassionate individuals. From the moment dancers walk through the door, they are welcomed into a community built on kindness, excellence, teamwork, and joy.
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Under Alisa’s visionary leadership, the Academy has become one of Austin’s most respected studios. It is home to multiple award-winning competitive companies and programs: Austin’s Dance Elite, The Establishment Hip-Hop Company, Protégée Pre-Professional Training & Performance Program, and the renowned Nutcracker Spectacular. These programs reflect her commitment to both artistic excellence and personal growth, offering dancers opportunities to challenge themselves, connect with others, and experience the transformative power of the arts.
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A proud second-generation dance educator, Alisa began her training at the age of two in Dallas, Texas, under the mentorship of her mother, who owned and operated her studio for over five decades. She went on to earn multiple scholarships to study at the prestigious Patsy Swayze’s School of Dance and was accepted into the renowned Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Throughout her youth, Alisa trained, performed, and competed extensively, earning numerous awards and national titles that recognized both her technical excellence and performance.
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By the age of 14, she was already choreographing and teaching, and soon after, she spent a decade serving as Artistic Director at The Dance Zone in Plano, Texas. Throughout her career, her choreography has earned widespread acclaim at the local, state, and national levels. One of her most notable achievements includes choreographing the music video for Paramore’s hit single “Still Into You.”
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Beyond the studio, Alisa is the co-founder and co-producer of BA Productions and the owner of Dancer’s Closet retail stores in Austin and Round Rock, TX, further supporting young dancers and their families both on and off the stage. She is also a proud member of the “More Than Just Great Dancing” and the “Dance Studio Owners Association”, and is recognized for her contributions to dance education.
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Whether she’s mentoring a new teacher, working one-on-one with a young dancer, or building partnerships in the community, Alisa’s goal remains the same: to make every dancer feel seen, supported, and inspired. Through her deep-rooted passion for youth development and artistic expression, she continues to grow a studio culture that celebrates hard work, heart, and belonging.
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As Alisa’s Dance Academy enters its 30th season, Alisa remains more energized than ever. With exciting new opportunities and programs on the horizon, she is dedicated to bringing even more to the Austin community. Her vision continues to evolve - the Best Is Yet To Come!
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