Even during her days as a performing dancer, CeCe Saunders always knew that she would one day

be the one instructing from behind the curtain. I dont miss my performing as much as people would think I do, she said. Ive enjoyed watching what Ive created more than dancing. Saunders is well-known in the community for teaching the daughters of many at the Peggy Anne - CeCe Jean Dance, Twirl & Cheer. Her mother, Peggy Anne Heinemann first began teaching dance classes in 1944 and would later officially begin the dance studio in 1972. Born and raised in Kerrville, Saunders began her dance instructing career as early as junior high, when she taught classes at her moms studio after school. While a student at Tivy High School, she started jazz and twirling departments at her school with the help of her twirling teacher, Felicia Dobbs. Saunders always knew that dancing would be part of her life. Its all I knew, she said. I couldnt imagine that not being a part of [my life]. Before the new studio building was built, Saunders and her mother held classes in a small, one-room building in the parking lot of Mamacitas restaurant. By the time Saunders was in high school, space constraints at the studio were beginning to present a problem. We were teaching until 9 every night because were having to share one room between the two of us, she said. When she made the commitment to stay at the studio after her 1983 graduation from Tivy, the two made the move to have a new facility built that is currently located on the corner of Water and Lowry streets. Saunders has since taught jazz, ballet, and tap classes, and she began hip hop and competitive cheer departments as the years went on. The demand for a gym grew as the student interest grew in her competitive cheer classes. I used to tell my girls, okay, pretend youre doing a run and jump back flip and then I would have to check out a gym from Tivy of somewhere a few days before competition of performance, she said of the Kerrville Cougar cheer team she began because of her oldest daughters interest in the sport. I wanted to make a squad that was affordable to everyone, and teach with a little more attitude than some other coaches do. Since then, her teams have one four national titles. Saunders wants her students not to focus on winning as the ultimate goal. If they feel good coming off that matt at the end of the performance, that matters more a than a judges opinion, she said. In the last three years, Saunders has seen a lot of changes at the studio, including the addition of around 17 instructors to her staff. Its been bittersweet watching the business grow so much, Saunders said, noting that one of the cons as becoming overwhelmed by not being in control of every class being taught, and not always knowing every childs name as in past years. The pros, I love watching more children being able to be involved in the sport of cheer or dancing. I feel very confident in who Ive hired though. My mother, Peggy Annes goal and my goal was not to raise professional dancers, but to raise adults who can look back and see how their confidence has grown or a character building experience. I try to stress that in training new staff. If she was not teaching dance, Saunders said that if she had to do something other than dance instruction, she could see herself doing some form of counseling or social work. To this day I have people come to me asking for help, she said. When I was little I wanted to have an orphanage. As 3rd generation students enroll at the studio, she likes to think that the studio has been a positive influence on the numerous children who have taken classes there by helping them find an outlet.

It has given children something positive to do, Saunders said. I hope we have impacted them individually and that it has shown in the schools and job force as they grow up. When a young adult comes to me and maybe said Ive made a difference in their life, that means everything, or when they [grow up and] bring their kids to take classes thats a big compliment as well. As part of her future goals, Saunders hopes to keep her staff as great as they have been while learning to relax a little more with the changes. With the new staff and new families that come through the studio each year, Saunders attributes the current success of the business to her mothers initial hard work and inspiration. Whether mom is physically here or not, she is the heart of this operation. Every decision is made with her in mind, and what she imagined for this place. Personal In her spare time, Saunders finds that her household of three teenagers keeps her busy. She also likes to play grandma with the recent birth of her first grandson, Cayson. Saunders described her childhood in the Hill Country as just full of love. She considers herself very blessed for her parents, Fred and Peggy Anne. Her father, a veteran of ____, owned a barber shop where she loved to sit in as a child to listen to the debates on religion, politics, and life. Participating in 4H, Saunders and her two older brothers took part in rodeos and stock shows. The family grew up on a small farm with animals, and Saunders and her siblings learned the value of a dollar and the importance of a strong faith from their parents. We were raised with very strong morals, she said. I still hear their voices when I make my decisions. Saunders daughter Lea Anne lives with her husband Danny Duckworth in Marble Falls, and her son Clint and his fiance Jenna live in Corpus Christi with son Cayson. Britny, a sophomore at Grace; Sterling, a freshman at Tivy; and Cheyanne, a student at Hal Peterson Middle School live with Saunders and her husband Billy, who works at Texas Multi-Chem.