Paula Gorman has been a dedicated dancer since she was eleven years old and a dance educator since her college years. She has performed professionally in many styles of dance which include: ballroom dance, musical theater, jazz, modern dance, and classical ballet.
Ms. Gorman’s professional career performances at Casa Manana in Ft. Worth, Dallas Summer Musicals and the Houston Dance Theater include:
• Can Can • Most Happy Fella • Destry Rides Again • Kismet • On a Clear Day You Can See Forever • Classical ballet soloist in Raymonda for the Houston Dance Theater
When performing with the Houston Dance Theater, Ms. Gorman performed under the direction of Patsy Swayse. She has performed professionally with the David Rousseve Modern Dance Company from New York, NY. She has performed with Chita Rivera; opera star Patrice Munsel, Juliet Prowse, Patrick Swayse and many other entertainment celebrities. While earning her B.F.A. Degree in Dance/Theater from Texas Christian University she was invited to teach classical ballet in the TCU Physical Education Department.
For nineteen years, Ms. Gorman was a member of the Saint Mary’s Hall Dance Department. As a classical ballet, jazz, and tap teacher she choreographed for the Primary, Middle, and Upper School dance productions. She was the choreographer for all of the Saint Mary’s Hall Upper School musicals which include:
• Carnival – Saint Mary’s Hall / the First Century – Godspell – The Fantastiks
Paula Gorman is the founder/director of the San Antonio based nationally recognized, Inflight Dance Co, a mixed ability dance company that integrates wheelchair dancers and able bodied dancers. The Inflight Dance Co. performs throughout Texas and as far away as the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota to demonstrate the importance of this unique dance art form. In 2004, the Inflight Dance Co. was the subject of a national documentary on the Hallmark Channel 53 Morning TV show. The segment focused on spiritual journeys and being your authentic self and is aired each year as a motivational segment for people with physical disabilities. In June 2008, the Inflight Dance Co. filmed a television segment for the Art of Living Gallery show. Recently, the company performed at the opening ceremony for Morgan’s Wonderland, a San Antonio theme park designed specifically for people with disabilities.
Ms. Gorman began her teaching career with the Northwest Vista College Dance Department in 2006. She choreographed an integrated performance piece with her Inflight Dance Co. and members of the NVC dance department. The piece was presented at the American College Dance Competition held at the University of Texas in Austin.
As a dance educator at Northwest Vista College for five years, Ms. Gorman teaches five courses in the NVC Dance Department and each year receives exemplary evaluations. Presently, her courses include: Tap 1110, Social Dance 1128 and two Classical Ballets 1141. In 2008 and for the first time, the Alamo Community Colleges’ curriculum offered an Adaptive Dance 1145/Kine 1175 course for people with physical disabilities and Ms. Gorman was the course instructor.
Last May Ms. Gorman’s NVC tap class was featured on the Kens 5 SA Morning show discussing the enjoyment and health benefits of tap dancing for all age groups and showcasing the president of Northwest Vista College, Dr. Jackie Claunch, who is a student in Ms. Gorman’s tap course. The Northwest Vista College now offers an Associate Degree in Dance.
Ms. Gorman is the Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Miss San Antonio Organization and is their official etiquette teacher and production consultant. On July 9, 2011 Ms. Gorman and Roses Entertainment produced and coordinated the Miss San Antonio / Miss America Pageant at the Charlene McCombs Empire Theater. Miss San Antonio is an official preliminary pageant for the Miss Texas and Miss America pageants and an official Fiesta event.
Paula Gorman is an affiliate of the Civility Group from Canada and is a certified children’s etiquette teacher. Classes are available upon request.
