Tommie Lou Coleman
Tommie, the founder and director of the academy, started dancing at age two, and her dance background and training are extensive. Her parents used to travel to New York during the summer so she could take classes from the top professionals in the country. She has studied with June Taylor, Nicco Charise and Frank Hatchett. Tommie has also gone to Chicago several times and studied with Gus Giordano. She continues her dance education by attending dance conventions including New York Dance Alliance, L.A. Dance Force, Roland Dupree, Tremaine and The Pulse.

Tommie was a dance major at Stephens College in Missouri, and she wanted to move to New York to dance professionally. After two years at Stephens, however, she decided to transfer to the University of Arkansas where she joined Pi Beta Phi and became a Razorback cheerleader. She eventually moved back to Little Rock and opened her dance academy in 1970.

Tommie was born and raised in Little Rock, and her family has a deep-rooted history in the state of Arkansas. Her mother, Sarah Haley Thomas, was a former Miss Arkansas and used to sing and dance with a thirty piece orchestra. She won a contract with MGM, but instead of moving to Hollywood to pursue her career, she married and taught dance at Dorothy Donaldson’s Dance Studio. Tommie’s father, "Boots" Coleman, started the Coleman Dairy Talent Award at the Miss Arkansas Pageant, and he was a prominent businessman in the Little Rock community. Tommie’s daughter, Sheri, is co-owner and director of the dance academy.  Tommie’s son, Ronnie Jr., lives out of state and has two daughters.

Sheri Caveness
Tommie’s daughter, Sheri, is co-owner/director of the dance academy and performed in her first recital at the age of 3 and has been dancing ever since. Her mother started taking her to dance conventions when she was just nine years old. Sheri has taken classes and studied dance with top professionals and choreographers around the country including Wade Robson, Roland Dupree, Gus Giordano, Liz Imperio, Joe Lanteri and Mia Michaels. She continues her dance education by traveling the country attending conventions (Dupree, L.A. Dance Force, New York Dance Alliance, Tremaine and The Pulse). Sheri was a dance major at Oklahoma City University & UALR, and she participated in the Miss Arkansas Pageant System for four years. She is also a member of Southern Association of Dance Masters. Sheri taught aerobics for eight years at the Little Rock Athletic Club and was certified with the American Council on Exercise. She has been teaching with her mother since she was in high school.

Sheri was born and raised in Little Rock and is a graduate of Little Rock Central. Sheri’s dad, Ronnie, lives in Little Rock with his wife Teresa. He was an All American Razorback on the ‘64 National Championship team, and he played five years of professional football. In 1970 when he retired, the family moved back to Little Rock.

Staff
Tommie’s Dance Academy has a large staff of very accomplished and professional teachers who offer students top level dance instruction. Tommie’s has instructors who have performed and competed on the college level and several who have been dance majors at top universities. We pride ourselves on developing a well-rounded dancer and are confident that our students will be prepared to dance on the college level if they choose to do so.

Preschool Staff ... BEST IN TOWN!
Tommie’s preschool teachers have been specifically trained to work with your child at this developmental level. We know this is a delicate age, and we are confident that our preschool staff will make your child’s introduction to dance a positive one.