Dancing through life as if in a fairytale

As a little girl Tammie Duncan discovered her first love – and it’s a love that still lingers to this day: The art of dance.

“There’s just something about the stage,” she said. “When you’re waiting in the wings – the curtain goes up and the lights come down. It’s magical! It’s like living in a fairytale.”

While still a student at Atlanta High School, Tammie became a ballet teacher, tutoring her friends and younger students. After taking her Cecchetti ballet exams at Texas Christian University she also received her certifications in ballet, tap, jazz and acrobatics before bringing her dream home.

When local teacher, Fannie Louise Carlton, refused to take her (or anyone) on as a partner, she opened her own ballet school in a rented home on Hiram Street in 1982. After a couple of more moves, she built her current studio on Holly Street in 1995.

Having begun dance classes before the age of three, Tammie has an affinity for teaching youngsters. Her ballet, tap and jazz classes start at three-years old and up, then on to beginners and advanced. For the past 38 years she has averaged 150-200 students per year.

“I love seeing their eyes on the stage for the first time. That never gets old,” she said. “The children become my family, and we are in constant contact forever. Eventually, I get to teach their children.”

Tammie is a lifetime member of Dance Educators of America, and as a member of Texarkana Community Ballet, her students are eligible to audition and participate in the annual Christmas production of The Nutcracker at the Perot Theatre.

Each year she takes her older students to New York City to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. While there she gives them a mini tour of the city to give them a cultural experience most hadn’t had an opportunity for. Unfortunately, that will not be happening this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The current advanced class includes Cassidy Caver, Cami Fincher and Sarah Whatley – all 13-year students at the school who have been to New York with Tammie. “We call her ‘Aunt Tammie’,” said Cassidy. Another advanced student is AHS senior Will Porterfield, who won the title role of The Nutcracker last year in the TCB production.

Tammie Duncan School of Dance is currently enrolling for the upcoming school year. Classes are held Monday-Thursday and grading is based on American Ballet School curriculum. Beginning the year, students will wear masks and practice social distancing in the studio according to the guidelines set by the CDC and local agencies for dance studios.

“Dance is a discipline you take throughout life with you,” she remarked. “No matter what you do it stays with you.”