Lily Hachar's Award-Winning Approach: What Every Dance Studio Can Learn

Julia Wagner · 2026-07-01

When a dance teacher wins a Readers' Choice Award, it's not just a nice plaque for the wall. It's a signal. A signal that something special is happening inside that studio—something students feel, parents notice, and the community celebrates. Lily Hachar recently took home Best Dance Teacher and Best Dance Studio honors in the Laredo Morning Times Readers' Choice Awards. And while the headlines focus on the win, the real story is in the how. What makes a dance educator stand out in a field crowded with talented instructors? ### It Starts With Connection, Not Choreography Walk into any successful studio and you'll notice it right away: people are genuinely happy to be there. That doesn't happen by accident. Hachar's recognition suggests she's mastered something many instructors overlook—the human side of teaching dance. Yes, technique matters. Yes, choreography needs to be clean and creative. But none of that lands if students don't feel seen. Think about the best teacher you ever had. Was it their expertise that stuck with you? Or was it the way they made you feel capable, even when you were struggling? That's the magic. And it's teachable. ### The Business Side of Being Beloved Here's something dance studio owners don't always talk about: being the community favorite is also a business strategy. When parents trust you, they tell other parents. When students love your classes, they stay longer. Retention goes up. Word-of-mouth marketing kicks in. A Readers' Choice Award isn't just a trophy—it's social proof that compounds over time. So what can other studios take from this? - **Invest in relationships, not just routines.** Know your students' names, goals, and struggles. - **Celebrate small wins publicly.** Recitals are great, but daily encouragement builds loyalty. - **Stay visible in your community.** Local awards often go to those who show up consistently. - **Ask for feedback—and actually use it.** Students and parents notice when their input matters. None of this requires a massive budget. It requires intention. ### What Makes a Dance Teacher Truly Great? Let's get specific. The instructors who win awards like this tend to share a few traits: 1. **They meet students where they are.** A 6-year-old beginner and a 16-year-old pre-professional need different things. Great teachers adapt. 2. **They balance discipline with warmth.** High standards don't have to mean high stress. 3. **They keep learning themselves.** The best teachers attend workshops, study new styles, and stay curious. 4. **They build community.** Studio culture isn't a poster on the wall—it's how people treat each other. Hachar's win reflects all of this. It's not about being the loudest or the most famous. It's about being the one people trust with their kids, their time, and their dreams. ### The Ripple Effect of Recognition When a local dance teacher gets this kind of spotlight, something interesting happens. Enrollment inquiries go up. Current students feel proud. Other studios pay attention and raise their own bar. That's good for everyone. A rising tide lifts all boats—or in this case, all dancers. If you're a studio owner or instructor reading this, take heart. You don't need to be in a big city or have a massive social media following to be recognized. You need to show up, care deeply, and keep refining your craft. The awards will follow the work. And even if they don't, the students whose lives you change will remember you long after the trophies gather dust. ### Looking Ahead Hachar's recognition is a reminder that dance education is still deeply valued in communities across the country. People want their children to learn discipline, artistry, and confidence through movement. They want teachers who see potential, not just performance. So here's a question worth sitting with: if your students were asked to vote for Best Dance Teacher tomorrow, what would they say? And more importantly, what would they feel? That's the real measure. The awards are just the echo.