Brenda Parker-Braswell has the only dance company and dance team in the District
Brenda Parker-Braswell
Her first recital, age 5.
Becoming married, obtaining a great job and possessing beauty sounds too good to be true for one individual.
However, these qualities are not too good for North Lake College’s dance instructor, Brenda Parker-Braswell.
A student of the Gingham Girls Dance Studio in Dallas, Parker-Braswell performed her first solo as a ballerina at the age of five. It was a performance that meant so much to her that she even remembered her first tutu.
“I remember my mom buying this lime green tutu at a garage sale,” said Parker-Braswell.
She said it was a tutu that was purchased only after an agreement was met between her and her mother. Parker-Braswell was to get straight A’s on her elementary report card. And so she did.
Setting excellence for herself at such a young age has allowed her to set those same standards for her students today.
A faculty member at North Lake College since 1986, Parker-Braswell earned her M.A. in Fine Arts with an emphasis on dance with scholarships to Texas Christian University (TCU).
She teaches ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, composition and choreography.
Because of her wide range of experience, North Lake’s dance program has expanded.
“We are the only college in the DCCCD that has a dance company and a dance team.” she said.
This program, which offers dance opportunities to everyone, has made Parker-Braswell’s job a lot more pleasurable.
“It’s a blessing to be able to come to North Lake and work every day.”
And North Lake has recognized her efforts by nominating her for the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation Award.
The Distinguished Professor award annually recognizes 15 professors in Texas colleges and universities for their dedication to the teaching profession.
“This award is like the Oscar of teaching. ...I am overwhelmed by the graciousness of my colleagues,” she said.
If it was such a thing as an Oscar for teaching, she would win.
Parker-Braswell has done great things in her career on and off North Lake’s stage.
Some of her performing and choreography credits include six years at the Tour de France in Europe, sporting events sponsored by Coca-Cola, numerous industrial shows, including some she’s done with Mary K. cosmetics and several music videos.
“I felt like I was Tina Turner while on the Tour de France ... with twenty-five thousand people around; it’s such an adrenaline rush.”
She’s not the only one excited about performing.
Many attended North Lake’s 30-year celebration as the dance team performed a multi-media show which included acting, dancing, speeches and even singing by humanities instructor, Sherry Boyd.
Parker-Braswell had plenty of input toward the celebration performance – she’s spent the last 20 years on the campus. But she’s not in any hurry to leave.
“In five years I see myself right here at North Lake continuing to grow the program.”
One thing that has recently changed in her life is her name. Parker-Braswell was married for the first time nearly two years ago. She may have changed her last name, but she’s still the same person on the inside.
She’s beautiful, talented and well respected by her peers. What more could she want?