Today we’d like to introduce you to Lowery Walker.
Hi Lowery, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
After graduating high school, I joined the U.S. Navy and became part of the nuclear propulsion program. My husband and I were high school sweethearts, he joined the U.S. Army, and we were married while we were both in active service. When we found out we were expecting our first child, I made the decision to step away from the military and focus on raising our family while my husband continued his career, eventually bringing us to Savannah, Georgia.
It was there that my daughter was introduced to dance at just two years old. By age four, she had joined a competitive dance team, and I quickly found myself immersed in the dance world as a dedicated dance mom. Wanting to support her growth, I learned everything I could about technique, training, and competition preparation. We spent countless hours practicing outside of the studio, and before long, other dancers began joining us. Helping them develop alongside my daughter sparked something in me and I realized how much I loved teaching, mentoring, and being part of that process.
After 14 years in Savannah, our family decided to return to our hometown of Wimberley, Texas, as my husband completed the final years of his military service before retirement. Back home, we searched for a dance studio that offered the sense of connection and community we had grown to value. We eventually found that at Wimberley Dance Elite.
Shortly after, the pandemic hit, and like many small businesses, the studio faced major challenges. Staff changes and shifting priorities left the competitive program without an artistic director. When the opportunity arose, it felt like the right moment to step forward. I spoke with the studio owners and was offered the position, beginning a new chapter I hadn’t originally planned, but fully embraced.
Over the next two years, my role expanded significantly. While still working full time in the dental field, I took on more responsibilities at the studio and helped launch a partnership with the local high school to revive their drill team program. What began with just five dancers in the first two years has grown to eleven dancers in its fourth year, a reflection of both the program’s success and the community’s support.
Eventually, the demands of coaching, directing, and studio leadership led me to leave my day job and devote myself fully to dance. When the studio owner later decided to relocate, she asked if I would take over the studio. After everything the studio community had endured rebuilding post-pandemic, it felt like the right time for a fresh start.
In June of this past year, I officially became the owner and director and rebranded the studio as Studio W Dance Collective. The new name reflects my vision, not only to serve Wimberley dancers, but to welcome students from surrounding areas as well. More importantly, the rebrand represents my commitment to fostering a studio rooted in community, acceptance, and opportunity for all dancers.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road hasn’t been entirely smooth, but it hasn’t been all hardship either. One of the ongoing challenges has been finding the right balance in serving a wide range of dancers and families, each with different goals, needs, and expectations. I’ve learned that truly listening to those perspectives, while staying grounded in the values I admired and learned from my own experiences with other studios, has been essential in making thoughtful, dancer-centered decisions.
Another challenge has been encouraging families to invest in a performance-based art form at a time when many are facing rising costs in everyday essentials like gas and groceries. It hasn’t been easy, but it has reinforced the importance of advocating for the arts. I truly believe in the value dance brings, not just physically, but emotionally and socially; that belief continues to guide how I lead and support my dancers and their families.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At its core, my work goes far beyond running a dance studio. While building a successful business matters, my primary focus has always been the emotional and physical well-being of every dancer who walks through our doors. I strive to create a space where dancers feel safe, supported, and free to express themselves, whether that’s through movement, creativity, or simply having a place to decompress after a long day.
Dance is often an outlet, and I see that firsthand every day. It’s not uncommon to find teens or preteens sitting at my desk between classes, talking through their day, asking for advice, or quietly doodling on notepads. Those moments are just as meaningful to me as what happens in the classroom. Being able to offer that sense of security and consistency is a huge part of why I chose to take over the studio.
What I’m most proud of is fostering a community built on trust, kindness, and acceptance. I want my dancers to know they are seen, valued, and supported, not just as performers, but as people. I truly believe that when we lead with compassion, we help make the world feel a little less intimidating, especially for young dancers who are still finding their place in it. That commitment to care and connection is what sets our studio apart.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about our city is its deep appreciation for the arts. Austin and the surrounding communities have always celebrated creativity, and that artistic spirit is a big part of what makes the area so vibrant and unique.
What I could do without is the traffic; it’s certainly the price we pay for living in such a popular and growing city.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.studiowdc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiowdance_tx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577053350991
