Former Houston Ballet dancer Lauren Anderson brings energy and expertise to master class at HCC

Mar 25, 2016

Lauren Anderson, former principal dancer with Houston Ballet and HCC alumna, recently taught a master class at the HCC Visual Performing Arts Center of Excellence. 

Anderson brought her energy and expertise to the class of HCC students — a group that was eager to learn from the 20-year veteran of the Houston Ballet. 

“It was a very challenging class,” said student Adam Castaneda. "It brought me back to the fundamentals of ballet technique and inspired me to start taking ballet regularly.” 

During her career, Anderson brought virtuoso technique and a fiery intelligence to performances that thrilled both audiences and critics around the world. In the process she broke the color barrier to become the first African American woman to lead a major ballet company as principal dancer. The Houston native retired from performing in 2006 and now teaches at the Houston Ballet Academy and manages the company's education and community outreach programs. 

She’s also currently a student at HCC and is set to graduate in May. 

“I’m about to graduate from HCC with highest honors,” Anderson said. “I became a dancer because I thought I was too stupid to go to college. And that’s the truth. So getting this degree means a lot to me.” 

For more information the HCC Dance program, please visit hccs.edu.