Countdown to the Event
Don't miss out on this DAZZLING evening of community & DANCE, as Waco Stars & their Pro Partners bring the Best of Sitcoms to the stage in support of the Family Abuse Center on October 3rd. Family Abuse Center was founded in Waco, Texas in 1980 and now serves victims of domestic violence in six counties across Central Texas.
It will be an evening of entertainment as local celebrities perform in a dance competition to raise money and awareness for Family Abuse Center's mission. Some of Waco's biggest "STARS" have been teamed with professional dancers "PROS" and have begun training and preparing for an unforgettable show in October. These dancers rely on the community's support for a successful performance and a chance to win the competition on the big night. Your support also helps the staff and volunteers at Family Abuse Center to provide safety, education, and support for survivors of domestic violence.
All ticket purchases will be counted as votes ($1 = 1 vote) if designated towards a Waco Star & Pro at checkout. Purchase event tickets here
Votes may be purchased without tickets here.
General donations (i.e. not designated for a Waco Star & Pro) may be made to Family Abuse Center here.
For sponsorship inquiries, please email our Director of Finance at Kayla.Kroll@familyabusecenter.org.
Meet Our Cast
Star Dena Williams
Dena Johnson Williams is a proud Waco native who was blessed to spend more than 20 years as a stay-at-home mom, raising her four boys - Austin, Beau, Colby and Drake. In 2020, she earned her real estate license, beginning a new chapter of serving her community. Today, Dena is building a thriving business as Waco's favorite line dance instructor through Line Dance with Dena. She has enjoyed sharing her love of line dance through private lessons, corporate team-building events, parties, community gatherings, The Will of Waco, and a variety of special occasions. Eighteen months ago, Dena walked into Arthur Murray Dance Studio and discovered a whole new world of dance. Although she had never tried ballroom dancing before, the experience reignited her passion for dance and quickly became an obsession. Whether she's helping people learn their first line dance, or pursuing her own ballroom dance journey, Dena is passionate about creating fun, confidence, and community on and off the dance floor.
Pro Gregory Ivanova
Gregory Ivanova is a professional ballroom instructor at Arthur Murray Dance Studios of Waco. His dancing began after going to college, finding dancing a very addictive thing to do as a hobby. He now loves teaching because he meets new people and sees how it can evolve into not just a hobby but a passion and can bring joy into anyone's life. In his free time, he enjoys working on old cars, finding ways to be healthier, and doing anything outside.
Star Lacy Kessler
Bio Coming Soon
Pro Drake O'Malley
Bio Coming Soon
Star Cecy Holubec
Bio Coming Soon
Pro Patricio Rodriguez
Patricio Rodriguez is a Waco native who began dancing at the age of eight. He has performed at Disney World, on cruise ships, and danced with a national collegiate dance team at the University of Stephen F. Austin. Through his years of experience, his skills have helped him to develop confidence in himself to give others the fundamentals of learning, performing, and excelling in dance. His passion for dance is displayed through his classes. When you leave you will walk out wanting to come back.
Star IV Williams
Bio Coming Soon
Pro Summer Castel
Bio Coming Soon
Star Paige DuPuy
Paige DuPuy is a born-and-raised Wacoan. She grew up taking dance classes at Joy’s School of Dance, but stopped dancing once she graduated from Waco High School and moved to Boston for college. After receiving her degree from Boston University, Paige worked at the US Army Corps of Engineers Research & Development Center as an environmental research scientist and began taking dance classes for fun in her free time. She has since moved back to Waco to work at her family's business, DuPuy Oxygen, and she takes the adult dance classes offered at JSOD. Paige is happy to be back home and involved in her community again, and she is honored to have such an exciting and unique opportunity to support the Waco Family Abuse Center.
Pro Bryan Tate
Bryan is a professional Ballroom Dancer with Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Originally based out of Arthur Murray Fort Worth, he is now the franchisee of Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Waco with his wife, Stephanie. He is also the proud father of Faye (4), and Finn (1).
Star Meredith Croyle
Meredith Croyle is a Waco native and Realtor with The 254 Realty Group at Camille Johnson, Realtors. She is passionate about making home buying and selling as stress-free as possible for her clients, and works with investors building out portfolio properties across Central Texas. Outside real estate, Meredith is an energy-sector compliance consultant who advises power plants in Texas and California on federal reliability standards that keep the Western grid running safely. She is a proud mom of two and a lifelong member of the Waco community. Meredith said yes to Dancing with the Waco Stars to stand behind the Family Abuse Center's mission of sheltering survivors and rebuilding families — a cause she is honored to support.
Pro TJ Rider
TJ loves working with his students at the Arthur Murray Waco Studio and his favorite part of the job is helping people connect with each other and music through dance.
Star Sheryl Victorian
Bio Coming Soon
Pro Chris Spendlove
Bio Coming Soon
Star Donny Stanley
Bio Coming Soon
Pro Kara Quinn
Kara Quinn is an instructor at Arthur Murray Dance Studios of Waco. When asked her favorite dance style, Kara says it's always "whatever she danced most recently," so that can change at any minute - but she favors rhythm and Latin dances.
Star Oli Pettigrew
A feature on international and national television screens for 17 years, there are few countries on Earth where you haven’t been able to catch Oli on the small screen. A relatively new Texas transplant, Oli has most recently been gaining attention for his musings and observations on all things Texan as @ThatEnglishmanInTexas across the interwebs, racking up hundreds of millions of views with his wry take on America’s most unique state.
Pro Stephanie Tate
Stephanie is a professional Ballroom Dancer with Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Originally based out of Arthur Murray Fort Worth, she is now the Franchisee of Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Waco with her husband, Bryan.
Star Jonathan Green
Bio Coming Soon
Pro Hannah Requa
Pro Hannah Requa is a freelance dancer who has created, taught and performed all over the U.S. She directs {254}DANCEFEST, which brings professional contemporary dance companies to Waco to perform and also teach local dance students. She's been an adjunct faculty member at Baylor University and spent the last 10 years performing professionally for companies like Bruce Wood Dance in Dallas and Corpus Christi Ballet where she was a principal soloist. She currently dances for Ventana Ballet in Austin.
Star Michael Long
Bio Coming Soon
Pro Meredith Sutton
Meredith Sutton is the dance teacher and choreographer for Baylor's Department of Theatre Arts. She teaches ballet, tap, and jazz, choreographs department musicals, mentors student choreographers, and serves as an advisor to the Baylor Dance Company.
Star Silas Naciita
Bio Coming Soon
Pro Nadya Rafferty
Nadya Rafferty is a Russian-born professional dancer who performed internationally as a contract dancer in Greece, Italy, Egypt, Tunisia, and Mexico. She is now the owner of Power Pilates of Waco, where she shares her passion for movement and fitness while helping clients and young dancers build strength, confidence, and body awareness.
Star Brandon Le
Bio Coming Soon
Pro Lauren Saint James
Dance has been an important part of Lauren's life since she began at age four. She grew up studio dancing and was an officer on her high school drill team. While at Baylor, Lauren minored in dance and was a member of Baylor Dance Company. Lauren is continuing her love for dance at Arthur Murray Waco as an instructor and professional dancer. Lauren's favorite thing about dancing is the fact that she can never wipe the smile off her face while she's movin and groovin!
Star Jim Patton
Jim is a long-time resident of Waco and is actively involved in our community. As a retired campus principal, he is heavily invested in education. He is currently serving on the Waco ISD Board of Trustees as Vice-President—and also serves on the Waco Education Foundation Board and McLennan Central Appraisal District Board. Jim is excited to break out his “dusty dancing shoes” and help raise funds for the Family Abuse Center!
Pro Smanatha Peters
Samantha grew up dancing on national ranked hiphop teams based in Orange County, California. She also is trained in Cecchetti ballet, pointe, contemporary, and jazz. She graduated from Baylor in Spring of 2026 with a degree in Math Education and is now working as a math teacher at River Valley Middle School. She is a 4th year dance teacher at Joy's School of Dance and helps run their Company team. She is excited to share her love of dance for such an amazing cause!