H-E-B Performance Preludes

Ad Deum is a Houston based professional modern/contemporary dance company. The company was founded by Artistic Director, Randall Flinn, in 1991. Ad Deum’s mission through dance maintains a global impact as the company tours to many nations.

Ad Deum is committed to bringing beauty, hope, and healing to their audiences through the gift of dance.

A familiar sound with a fresh take.

Cymphoni Fantastique, named for Cymphoni (the cellist) and Symphonie Fantastique, a piece by the composer, Hector Berlioz, is a Houston-based musical group that beautifully blends music across genres.

Their sound is best described as Classical Crossover, but their style spans almost the entirety of the musical spectrum. Classical to Jazz to Rock, to R&B, to Country to Latin and everything in between, they seek to bring people and communities together through music.

Enjoy a performance from students in the Chavez High School and Patterson Elementary School ballet folklorico programs!

Founded in 2020, the Bayou City Ballet Youth Company provides high-quality performance opportunities for advanced ballet students pursuing a professional career in dance. We strongly believe in the power of ballet to change lives. In order to share this beautiful art with our entire community, we program an array of educational programs throughout the greater Houston area each season, including master classes, performances, and workshops, that are accessible to everyone. The Youth Company also raises funds annually to help defray the costs associated with performance, thereby allowing us to offer need-based financial assistance to its company members.

The Bayou City Ballet Youth Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

The HUB Houston was established in 2015 as a non-residential program supporting neurodiverse teenagers and young adults as they navigate their personal journey through academics, employability, community involvement and care. Our mission is to build a sense of real belonging for everyone and use those relationships to discover and practice individual strengths. The HUB is committed to fostering personal growth and unlocking individual potential in a relationship centered community for teenagers and young adults on the autism spectrum. Through these guiding principles, it was a natural outcome for a band to form! In January of 2016, Mr. Ken Stueart, an Arkansas native, joined the faculty of The HUB. Through his musical background (graduate of Belmont University in Nashville), his experience as a member of The Encore Theatre family, and his ability to spot raw talent, a band was soon formed, aptly named The HUBCAPS! They have shown an exceptional ability to constantly improve and evolve, stretching their comfort zone, and becoming known for their awesome sets!

RSA of Dance & Performing Arts is a youth organization united by passion for the performing arts and our desire to see our students grow into confident leaders. Dance is just one component of the organization, the students also take theater, visual and music classes to strengthen their development as performers. We nurture dedicated dancers who love the art of performing and have the opportunity to grace the stages of many competitions, showcases, half time performances and a number of other platforms. This company is under the direction of Denisea Woodard who has over 15 years experience as a master teacher, choreographer and professional dancer. She loves pouring into the youth and partnering with many organizations to create the full art experience.

Houston Show Choir is made up of talented adult singers directed by Steven Shannon. What sets this group apart from other choirs is their creative repertoire of pop, rock, disco, jazz, show tunes, and more, accompanied by lively choreography. And with entertaining music like that, the singers can’t just stand still with their heads buried in printed music – they memorize the songs so that they can look the audience in the eye, dance, and have fun! The ensemble has sung at public and private events all over the Greater Houston area (and occasionally beyond) since 1932, bringing distinctive performances that are filled with dynamic energy and great singing. Within the Houston Show Choir organization are two mixed voice performance ensembles. Both groups are filled with passionate, talented singers whose aim is to share the joy of music in their community and beyond.

An elite training and performance company of students ages 15-20 that represent Theatre Under The Stars throughout the community, as well as at the state and national level. These pre-professional artists experience a highly disciplined level of musical theatre technique, repertoire, and overall training in voice, acting, and dance through weekly rehearsals, industry professional masterclasses and engagements, competitions, and performance opportunities.

The Episcopal High School Dance Program is thrilled for the Elevate Company to be invited to perform at the Performing Arts Houston HEB Preludes series. The EHS Dance program fosters a love of the beauty of movement and a joy in sharing that movement in students through performance. In its inaugural year, Elevate is Episcopal’s first auditioned competition and performance company. The company has competed in multiple competitions and performances including A Knight for the Arts, Dance 3 and for the EHS Dance Concerts, Resurfacing and Moving Forms. The company looks forward to continued shared experiences with the immensely talented artists of Houston.

Dance of Asian America (DAA) promotes and preserves the rich heritage of Asia through contemporary and traditional Asian dance. In doing so, DAA sustains traditions, builds international ties, educates the public in cross-cultural understanding and fosters new generations of professional artists. In 2009, DAA was selected as one of the 11 best dance companies in Houston to present the Dance USA’s Showcase – “The Power of Movement” – at The Wortham Center. In 2013, DAA Director Janie Yao led 20 dancers to the Season 8 of America’s Got Talent’s LIVE performance at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Dance of Asian America partners with DAA Dance Academy to provide advanced professional training for local dancers in all forms of dance and opportunities to perform live in professional settings. DAA reaches over 50,000 people annually though community performances, educational programs and city-wide productions.

Houston Contemporary 2 (HC2) is a concert based, non competitive, pre-professional dance company focused on training and performance. Dancers will be exposed to multiple styles of dance education in preparation for a future career in dance. The teaching staff and outside choreographers have many years of experience with pre-professional youth ensuring their well-rounded contemporary dance education and assisting students with college admissions and/or other professional dance opportunities. The youth company will have the opportunity to perform throughout Houston during their season, including under the umbrella of the professional Houston Contemporary Dance Company, a 501(c)(3) sister organization to the Institute of Contemporary Dance.

The Summer Jazz Workshop All-Stars features the next generation of Jazz musicians. The group is a program presented by Jazz Education Inc. under the direction of Mr. Al Campbell and Mr. Nick Allen. Jazz Education Inc. and the Summer Jazz Workshop has been a mainstay within Houston’s Arts Community and known for educating and instructing young musicians in the culture and playing of jazz music for over 50 years.
The group is made up of talented students from across the greater Houston Area who have attended the five-week Summer Jazz Workshop and excel in their musicianship. These students in the group want to participate in year-round playing opportunities, The Summer Jazz Workshop All-Stars have performed at the Houston International Jazz Festival, Willow Waterhole Jazz Festival, Trinity Jazz Festival, and the Houston Hospital District Employee’s Service Awards Gala, just to name a few.

Meyerland Dance Ensemble, based at Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School in HISD, is a pre-professional group of advanced young dancers who are pursuing technical and artistic excellence in all forms of dance. Under the direction of Chadwick Peters, these dancers have performed all over the Houston area and Texas at various events and venues, and do community engagement, outreach, and workshops through the Meyerland Junior Chapter of the National Honor Society of Dance Arts.

713 Dance Ensemble mission is to provide and cultivate the audience with the positive impact of contemporary dance in a professional setting. Utilizing contemporary movement that offers a unique experiences and perspective that is engaging and promotes diversity. 713 Dance Ensemble was founded to provide a continuation of dance education, advanced training, with pre professional opportunities for young dancers in the world of contemporary dance through choreography and performances. Under the direction of Dorrell Martin, dancers work with nationally known artists as guest master teachers and choreographers. Mr. Martin has an extensive professional background and directs his own NYC Summer Program, Leon Dance Arts and continues to teach and choreograph throughout the US. The company rehearses at West University Dance Centre where Mr. Martin is on staff.

Howling from Westside High School in the Houston Independent School District, established in 2000, The Inertia program is dedicated in developing young men and women with active and creative minds, a sense of understanding and compassion for others, and the courage to act on their beliefs. Through all elements of dance education, Inertia stresses excellence in the classroom and the total development of each student: spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical. #INERTIAPROUD

Sincopa is an ensemble within the HOUSTON URBAN ARCHIVE, which is an eclectic music house designed to fit the muse in you. We advocate for musical variety, and cultural diversity amid Black/African Americans; while creating a positive peer group between other marginalized people to share, learn, and grow. Music takes a great deal of discipline to master. However, it only takes a listening ear to enjoy. It is our aim to provide an educational atmosphere that is firm, fair, and fun. We are a tool for the community used to service the surrounding schools, and local musicians seeking to express their gifts, talents, and abilities. All members are hand-picked and vetted to find a configuration suitable for all involved.

Enjoy a performance from dance students at San Jacinto College, under the guidance of Jennifer Salter, MFA Dance Professor!

Group Acorde is a performance company formed by two contemporary dancers; Roberta Paixao Cortes and Lindsey McGill, and two improvisational musicians; Thomas Helton and Seth Paynter, who innovatively collaborate in all aspects of the creation process. Its movement is inspired by classical background and its music is primarily composed of saxophone and bass. Its mission is to cultivate and educate diverse audiences through live, thought-provoking, original, and affordable performance collaborations between contemporary dance and experimental music. The company’s main programs are public performances and “pay what you can” outreach classes to the community. Group Acorde has performed original works by its members and has collaborated with guest artists; Israeli choreographer Anat Grigorio, Texas choreographer Jennifer Mabus, Texas composer Andrew Leinhard, Brazilian visual artist Andre Amaral and New York based photographer Christopher Peddecord. Its work has been showcased throughout various festivals and venues in Houston and Austin and the company has self-produced two evening length works as well as an immersive art/performance installation. www.groupacorde.org