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 Broadway to the stage in support of the Family Abuse Center on October 16th. 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 Chris Clifford
Chris Clifford first came to Waco to attend Baylor, but left after undergrad to pursue a Master of Business Analytics. He was then drawn back to Waco by his loving husband, Trent Clifford, who runs the theatre company Wild Imaginings. Chris now works from home as a data analyst, and in his spare time, he enjoys sharing his passion for tap dancing.
Pro Mikayla Del Rio
Originally from the Rio Grande Valley, Mikayla Del Rio began her dance training at the age of 4 with Deborah Case Dance Academy in McAllen, Texas. With a passion for performance and precision, she spent six years competing in various dance styles before earning a degree in dance. A proud member of the Texas Association Teachers of Dancing, Mikayla has spent the past seven years teaching and choreographing and currently teaches at Joy’s School of Dance in Waco.
Star Holly Collins
Holly Collins has been teaching French at Baylor since 2011. She loves working with her students, leading Baylor in Paris every three years, and traveling all over to present at conferences. She recently completed her first half marathon to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. She and her husband Vince live in Speegleville and enjoy raising their four dogs and a cat.
Pro Bryan Tate
Bryan Tate is a professional Ballroom Dancer with Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Originally based out of Arthur Murray Fort Worth, he is now the Franchisees of Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Waco with his wife, Stephanie. He is proud father of Faye (4), and Finn (1).
Star Leigh Greathouse
Dr. Leigh Greathouse is a tenured professor at Baylor University, a nationally recognized cancer biologist, and a 20+ year survivor of Stage IV cancer. Her personal journey through a life-threatening diagnosis ignited a lifelong mission: to find better ways to prevent cancer and improve treatment through cutting-edge science, compassionate care, and public health advocacy. Whether she’s teaching, conducting research, or advocating for vulnerable patients, her goal is simple: to give others the second chance she was blessed to receive.
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 Leigh Anne Green
Leigh Anne Green is a graduate of Baylor University and holds a Doctor of Optometry from the University of Houston. She met her husband Trey while at Baylor, and they moved to Houston for graduate school. Dr. Green founded Green Eye Associates in 2013. Leigh Anne's extracurricular time is spent with Antioch Church life groups, young adults, or exercising/dancing at Refit Studio. Every day she tries to spend time with at least one of her four grown daughters or two grandchildren or happily relaxes with her husband who has been her best friend for 29 years.
Pro Eric Bird
Eric Bird is a seasoned ballroom dance instructor and competitor with a rich history in dance competitions and performances.
Star Geneece Goertzen
Geneece Goertzen is a survivor of more than two decades of abuse who has turned that pain into a passion for domestic violence advocacy. She is an author, speaker, and researcher on topics related to domestic violence, an ordained minister, and is currently finishing a PhD in Social Work at Baylor University. Geneece is in her ninth year of serving on the board of directors for the Family Abuse Center.
Pro Jake Page
Jake Page has been a Waco actor and costumer for 11 years now, with theatre companies such as Wild Imaginings and Waco Civic Theatre, finding particular joy in musicals. He has loved dance from an early age and done ballroom dancing for 8 years. He is excited to support the Family Abuse Center alongside his mother Geneece.
Star Mike Hardin
Mike Hardin is a family physician and Chief Clinical Officer at Waco Family Medicine. His career spans patient care, academic medicine, administration, and four years of mission work in the Ecuadorian Amazon. He’s married to Karol, a Spanish professor at Baylor, and is the proud father of three adult children. A wannabe dancer, Mike hopes his DWTWS debut sets a fundraising record—and plenty of secondhand embarrassment for his kids.
Pro Caryn Hernandez
Caryn Hernandez Caryn is a professional ballroom dancer and competitor for Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Waco. What started as a hobby is now her career!
Star Riley Henkener
Riley Henkener is a senior at Baylor University, pursuing a degree in Psychology with minors in Business Administration and Sociology. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, singing, and spending time with friends and family. He currently volunteers at the Waco Center for Youth while preparing for a career in mental health counseling. Although Riley has little formal dance experience, he has enjoyed dancing in musicals he has participated in over the years.
Pro Sloane Guthrie
Sloane Guthrie is a 7th year dance teacher and dance company director at Joy's School of Dance here in Waco, TX, specializing in hip hop, tap, and jazz. She attended Baylor University, graduating in 2020 with her bachelor’s degree in education. Sloane loves to dance, choreograph and create, and she is excited to incorporate all of those things for such a special event to benefit the Family Abuse Center.
Star Ron Linderman
Dr. Ron Linderman, D.C., is a doctor, businessman, and owner of Allied Wellness Centers in Waco. Beyond the clinic, Dr. Linderman is a devoted family man who treasures time spent with his beautiful, blended family. Affectionately known as “Papa Ron” to his grandchildren, he is often found enjoying lively family gatherings and making lasting memories. He is married to the love of his life, Donna, and together they’ve embraced the joy of dancing, embarking on a dance adventure that continues to bring new friendships and fun to their lives.
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 Eddie Mazanec
Eddie Mazanec, a proud multi-generational Wacoan, is a key leader at Mazanec Construction, the family-owned business he rejoined in 2012 after building a strong foundation in commercial construction on major projects like the House of Blues in Dallas and UT Austin's Experimental Science Building. After meeting his wife, Jessica, in Dallas and living in Austin, the couple settled in Waco, where they are raising their four children—MJ, Olivia, Mabel, and Edward. Since returning, Eddie has modernized operations, implemented advanced project management tools, and strengthened key client relationships, notably with Baylor University, where the firm has completed over $30 million in campus projects. He has also expanded the company’s public presence through engaging social media content that connects the community to local construction efforts. Outside of work, Eddie enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, exploring Cameron Park, biking their North Waco neighborhood, or visiting their ranch in Goldthwaite—reflecting his deep commitment to family, community, and quality craftsmanship.
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 Matt Patterson
Matt Patterson, a native of Waco, is the Owner and Broker of Mammoth Realty. Matt has been in the real estate industry since 1996. Matt is a volunteer advocate for CASA of McLennan County and serves on CASA’s Board of Directors. He is a student at Arthur Murray Dance Center in Waco and has been dancing for almost 4 years. Real estate runs in the family as Matt is married to Tony Brown, also a real estate broker. Matt and Tony have two grown children, Blake and Becca, and reside in Lorena with their Australian Labradoodle, Allister.
Pro Stephanie Tate
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 Lauren Phipps
Lauren Phipps is the Assistant Principal at Woodway Elementary and was recently honored as the TEPSA Region 12 Assistant Principal of the Year. She proudly serves as the Communication Committee Chair for SCAN SUP and co-chairs their annual leadership conference. Her greatest joy, however, comes from being a mom to Laney (12) and Riley (10).
Pro Victor Larson
Victor Larson has been a lifelong performer, performing with many instruments through grade school and college. He also joined the Baylor Golden Wave Marching Band and its associated Winter Guard, Somnium. From here, he instructed and choreographed for the Midway Winter Guard. Shortly after this, he began learning Ballroom dance with Jeff Page Masiongale
Star Megan Snipes
Megan Snipes first moved to Waco in 2002 as a student at Baylor University. After graduating, she started a career in TV news at KWTX in Waco. After more than a decade in news, she now shares the stories of the healthcare heroes at Baylor Scott & White Health. Beyond work, she serves on the Greater Waco Legal Services board, is a mentor with the Waco Chamber LEAD Program, and cheers on her Baylor Bears whenever she has the chance.
Pro TJ Rayder
TJ Rayder 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 Pam Watts
Pam Watts, a native Texan, did not grow up in Waco – but she got here as fast as she could! For the past twenty-five years, Pam and her husband Brent have been blessed to raise their family here in the Heart of Texas. The Watts have four beautiful children – three biological and one through international adoption. (Or, as Pam might say, “three domestic and one imported!”)
Pam has loved nothing more than cheering on her children in every activity from Archery to Zumba as a “fulltime booster mom.” Her championship of countless kids’ activities inspired her to seek office on the Midway ISD Board of Trustees, where she serves as Board Secretary. A graduate of Leadership TASB and Master Trustee, Pam advocates for public education at the local, state and national levels. Pam continues to serve busy parents with active kids through her ministry, Faith-First Family Activity Coaching.
As a proud spectator of countless fine arts and athletic events, Pam is excited to view life from onstage for a change!
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 Wes Walker
Wesley Walker is a psychotherapist in private practice in Waco. He has been working in mental health in various capacities since 1995. He is also an actor, having done community and regional theatre for the better part of 40 years. He enjoys travel, exercise, close friendships, and tending his rural property and animals. He has been married to his gracious and supportive wife Nancy for 30 years and has 2 amazing kids. Will and Olivia.
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.