Where Dancers Go To Dream
Our Owner
Our Owners in Webster, TX
Jill Rauscher
Jill Rauscher began dancing at age three. She started attending classes at Virgie Lee Emmons‘ Dance Studio, and has been dancing ever since. At age 14, she was the youngest student to win the New York Studio dance scholarship. Jill was a world famous Kilgore Rangerette while she attended college. She played the lead and choreographed many musicals; such as “Carousel”, “Oklahoma”, “Anything Goes”, “Sweet Charity” and “Lil Abner”. Jill was offered an opportunity to pursue a dance career in Hollywood, but turned it down in order to have a more stable life. Dance was her passion, and teaching children was where she could spread her love for the art on a more personal level. She married her true love, Don, who encouraged her to start her studio over 52 years ago. Jill’s business has always been a family affair; with every family member either taking classes, teaching classes, or making repairs around the building! All of her daughters, Terry,Becca, Julie, and Leslie, danced at the studio. Julie and Leslie graduated from Razzmatazz, and continue to inspire children through teaching. Her faculty is also like family, with most having been raised and graduated from the studio. Jill has taught and inspired thousands of kids in the community. Over 300 girls have accomplished a full dancing education from start to finish; beginning dance at Jill’s as young children and continuing through high school graduation. This is a hard task to attain, but they have the honor of becoming a part of the huge alumni of JRSOD Graduates. Many of Jill’s past students have continued their love for dance in various forms. Several are still taking classes and some are bringing their own children to Miss Jill to blossom into beautiful young ladies. Others are pursuing their dancing careers by teaching, majoring in college dance degrees, or performing professionally. Disney, cruise ship entertainment, Broadway tours, Houston Rockets Power Dancers, Houston Texans Cheerleaders, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, Alabama Ballet Company, and NYC Rockettes are just a few of the many performing careers that Jill has inspired in her dancers. Jill has played an immense part in the core of the Clear Lake Community. She has mentored a number of her students through the Clear Creek District’s ISM program, and was chosen in 2010 as a SuperStar Alumni Honoree by the CCISD Education Foundation. The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce chose Jill as one of their “50 Outstanding Faces of Clear Lake” for their 50th anniversary celebration. Jill continues to inspire a love for dance in the children of our community.Jill’s motto is “Leave your troubles out the door, and dance your hearts out”.
Leslie Rauscher Sawyer
As Jill’s youngest daughter, Leslie grew up dancing at the studio every day. When she reached high school, Leslie performed as a Razzmatazz Dance Company member at various events around the Houston/Bay Area. She began student teaching with her mother after school and throughout college. Some of her performing experiences were; Daisy Mae in “Li’l Abner”, Peter Pan in “Peter Pan”, CL Chamber of Commerce Epicurean Dinners, Lakewood Yacht Club, Bay Oaks Country Club, Super Travel Cruise Show, &Toastmasters International. Leslie received her B.S. in Psychology from UHCL, but decided that dancing at the studio was where her heart was the most content. Leslie choreographs & teaches all ages in tap & ballet, and runs the jazz program throughout the year. In 2005, Leslie was a NBA Houston Rocket’s Power Dancer, and implemented the first “PeeWee Power Dancers” to perform at the Rocket’s games. She has since continued yearly to take her beginner jazz students and Razzmatazz dancers to perform at the Rocket’s pre-game shows. Leslie teaches dance for the Clear Creek ISD Gifted & Talented program, where she has a blast introducing dance and dance history to both boys and girls! Leslie is supported by her husband and lifelong friend, Brandon. They have 3 beautiful children together, Kai, Bralie, and Vance. She feels very blessed to have grown up in such a loving environment, and hopes to continue passing on the love for dance that her mother passed on to her.