Director Mrs. Audra E. Taylor
Audra E. Taylor began dancing at the age of 13 at South Houston High School. Audra was a three year member of the South Houston Jannettes where she served as a Lieutenant her junior year as well as Colonel of over one hundred girls her senior year. During her senior year is when she discovered her love for teaching dance by helping her high school director at her studio in League City. Audra received a full dance scholarship to San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas where she was the Captain of the San Jans Dance Team during her sophomore year. While completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Houston, Audra was a member of the NFL Houston Oilers Dancers and Show Troupe. While dancing with the Oilers, she travelled to Japan to perform in the American Bowl and danced professionally with the Uptown Street Dance Company and Glen Hunsucker’s Jazz Dance Company. In 1993-1994, Audra was a member of the World Champion Houston Rockets Power Dancers. Audra was also employed as the dance director for the NCA Super Center and the Houston Oilers Jr. Blues in the Clear Lake area. During this time, Audra founded Texas Dance Classic and TDA Elite, all star competitive dance teams which earned national team and solo titles in 1997-2001.
In 1997, Audra graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Dance. Audra accepted the assistant director position at North Shore Senior High School for the 1997-1998 school year. Audra founded the JV Scarlets/Reserve program at North Shore in 1998 and became the head director of the North Shore Scarlets in 2001. During her sixteen years at North Shore, Audra wrote the curriculum for academy classes such as Dance Production and Dance Appreciation, presented for numerous staff development presentations, and started the first all male dance crew, DVerse, which earned their first national title in 2013 after only three years in existence. Audra earned her Master’s degree in Educational Administration in the fall of 2011 from Lamar University. Audra worked with HTE Dance for two years as their Social Officer Activities Retreat camp coordinator. She was also honored as one of three finalists for the TDEA Director of the Year at the 2014 TDEA Convention and was nominated again in 2017. She left North Shore for two short years to be the Director of the Goose Creek Memorial HS Dazzlers but is ecstatic to be back at her school home, North Shore!!! This is now year 22 at North Shore, 24 years directing all together!
Audra married her high school sweetheart and best friend, Eric Taylor, in 1999 and she cannot thank him enough for the love and support he gives her each day. Audra is the proud mother of her sons, Everett, 18, and Evan, 11, plus her four furry children, Penny, Roxie, Raven, and Jasmine.
Assistant Director Ms. Angela Upshaw
Angela Upshaw has always had a passion for dancing. She began taking dance when she was 5 years old, following in her older sister's footsteps. She continued her love of dance through middle and high school, where she was a four year member of the Channelview Channelettes, holding the offices of Social Officer, Jr. Co-Captain, and 2 Year Sr. Captain. Angela completed her undergraduate degree at Texas State University, where she was a member of the Texas State Strutters Drill Team. Angela received a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with certifications to teach EC-6 Generalist ESL, and Dance 8-12.
Becoming a high school dance teacher and director has always been Angela's ultimate career goal. From 2014 to 2016, Angela was the Assistant Director of the Channelview Channelettes, and in 2017, she started the first dance team at Highlands Jr. School. Angela is currently the Assistant Scarlet Director and Fine Arts Dance Teacher. Dance has always been a huge part of Angela's life, and it makes her happy to be able to share her passion with others. She is very excited for this year as a part of the Scarlet Organization and North Shore Dance Department!
Becoming a high school dance teacher and director has always been Angela's ultimate career goal. From 2014 to 2016, Angela was the Assistant Director of the Channelview Channelettes, and in 2017, she started the first dance team at Highlands Jr. School. Angela is currently the Assistant Scarlet Director and Fine Arts Dance Teacher. Dance has always been a huge part of Angela's life, and it makes her happy to be able to share her passion with others. She is very excited for this year as a part of the Scarlet Organization and North Shore Dance Department!
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