HerStory
In 1971, Mary Lois Hudson Sweatt started offering dance training to students in a small church fellowship hall.
Over the last 50 years those classes have grown and developed into the dance school we know and love. Mary Lois Hudson Sweatt and her family were trailblazers in the Dallas community. Being among African-American firsts making strides not only in the arts, but also in education, politics, and public housing. In 2005, Mrs. Sweatt was inducted into the Dance Council of North Texas’ Hall of Fame and honored with the Mary Bywaters Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dance. We sadly lost Mrs. Sweatt in 2016, but her legacy lives on.
Who We Are
Mary Lois School of Dance (MLSD) is currently under the direction of Tiffani Rogers and Lori Slaughter. The studio is minority and women-owned and operated. We offer classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical and modern dance. Our students range in ages from 2.5 to adult. MLSD has always been located south of Dallas. Our current space is located south of Dallas in Desoto, Texas.
MLSD is here today because of the vision and dedication of our founder. Her fortitude and determined spirit are the driving force behind our time-honored traditions and core values.
Our Community
Our students and teachers volunteer and perform all over the city of Dallas! Past performances include appearances at the State Fair of Texas, Six Flags Dance Fest, Senator Royce West Holiday Party, and Dallas Dance Council Dance Planet.
