Meet Jade Greenough: Texas Strong Woman of the Month
The Texas Strong Woman of the Month is the beautiful, talented, and immensely patient Jade Greenough–a dedicated dance teacher, choreographer, and studio owner, cancer survivor, daughter, sister, advocate, and friend.
Meet Jade Greenough
Born and raised in Austin, Jade has been teaching dance in central Texas since 1998 but also battled ovarian cancer in her twenties. Fulfilling not one but two lifelong dreams, she founded Pivotal Academy of Dance (PAD) in Buda and completed her bachelor of fine arts degree in dance at Texas State University last year.
Texas Strong Woman of the Month
Favorite title(s) for yourself
“Ms. Jade,” for sure!
I love the informal title. It seems more personal and puts my students and me on the same level. I demand respect as their teacher, of course, but want them to know we are all still the same.
Your toughest lesson or challenge
I think my toughest lesson was realizing that life is not always fair, and even though we may not understand why bumps in the road are placed in front of us, they are there for a reason.
We learn from the tough moments in life.
I never understood why I had to have cancer, but at the same time, I knew in my heart it was placed upon me because I was strong enough to handle it and beat it. I remember saying, “This isn’t fair” “Why me?,” but after I looked at it from a calmer place, I realized out of all my sisters I would rather this be on me than any of them. I knew I was strong, and I walked into my battle with cancer with guns blazing! I was ready to conquer the world.
And in the end I thank cancer for allowing me to see the world and life through better eyes. I took for granted what I had, and the day my life was held in front of me I realized I had to live for the now.
My life day is August 19, 2008! It is the day my life changed forever.
Your proudest accomplishment
Beating cancer is #1. But more recently I am so proud of the fact that I had the courage to go back and finish school.
My Papa was one of my biggest supporters, and he always wanted me to see me finish school and graduate. He passed away in April of 2011, and I know December 16 he had a smile on his face and was proud to see me walk the stage.
I also am beyond ecstatic to have made my dream of owning a dance studio come to life! A few years ago I felt I would never be a studio owner, and now I walk into PAD proud and overwhelmed to know I can share my love of dance with my students.
Your role models or mentors
My role models are my Papa, Thomas E. Swenson–the greatest man I ever knew; my mother, Debi Hamilton–for always having my back and showing me to always keep going no matter what; and D’Ette Ray-Rice–my dance teacher, boss, friend and mentor–who taught me and guided me as a teacher and business woman. Without her, I would not be where I am.
Your best advice for newbies
Keep your head up when the going gets tough!
How you’re building community
I want to share with the community the power of dance. I want my students to understand the importance of the arts and how it can impact our community.
Quote or verse you live by
Everyone is given a path. On that path there may be bumps in the road, there may be times that you have to turn around, and sometimes you might feel like you are traveling on the scenic route. Know that you are given that path for a reason. It is YOUR path. Fight to stay on it.
I wrote this after my first chemo treatment on December 24, 2008. I have lived by it ever since.
Favorite nonprofits you support
I am on the board of directors of Texas Association Teachers of Dancing (TATD), which is a not for profit dance convention held every June for students and teachers. TATD began in 1930 as a teacher convention, and today we are a week-long convention for both students and teachers.
Besides that, I love supporting many foundations–National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Austin, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Alzheimer’s Texas.
