Dance Force Productions, founded January of 1999 by Owner/Director Robin Carlson, is an award-winning professional dance company which provides dance entertainment for corporations, charity galas, and private parties. Dance Force also provides dance instruction and choreography for public and private schools, as well as performing artists. The company has performed for Discovery Health Channel, The Food Network, the 2004 All-Star Baseball VIP Party, 2005 All-Star NBA VIP Party, the Cast of Chicago, has opened for Los Lonely Boys, and performed for thousands of special events. They won the 2005 Dance Houston Award for their performance at Hobby Center. "Our goal is to intermingle musical theater and cutting-edge dance in our hopes to delight and excite our audiences!

TGL: For our readers, what does it take to run a successful Dance Production company?

Robin: Organization, Patience, Honesty, Caring, a small Ego, Persistence, knowing how to pick good people to be in your company and treating them fairly.

TGL: What was your first job in dance?

Robin: My first professional job was doing disco numbers in the high-end disco clubs in Houston. Think "In the Navy", "Bad Girls", "Workin' Day & Night"!

TGL: Audition advice/tips

Robin: 1) Have a confident but cooperative attitude 2) Think more about entertaining the judges or audience than getting every little movement right. 3) look polished for whatever style of dance you are auditioning for.

TGL: What was your childhood ambition?

Robin: To be an exercise instructor.

TGL: What is your fondest memory?
Robin: Omigosh! Way too many to even pick one, but if I had to pick one it had to be the day I balanced my checkbook and realized I didn't need to work another job besides my dance company.

TGL: What is your favorite soundtrack?

Robin: Something by Earth Wind & Fire or Three Dog Night. Hard to believe isn't it cause I only listen to Rap now.

TGL: What is your wildest dream?

Robin: It's coming true...to run a successful dance company that does honest business and treats its dancers right as well as the clients who hire them. And also find the right man for me (think I finally found him!)

TGL: What is your proudest moment?

Robin: Again, so many... my daughter growing into a smart, independent woman, my dance company really making it, seeing my dancers grow and become successful.

TGL: What has been your biggest challenge in dance?     

Robin: Working three jobs to pay the bills and run the company till it was financially solid.

TGL: What is your inspiration?

Robin: I think I'm my own inspiration. I defy myself every day. I'm a very fortunate person.

TGL: What has been the best advice that you have received?

Robin: "If you aren't willing to look like a fool, you'll never get any better." Glen Hunsucker, my first dance director.

TGL: Earliest dance influences?

Robin: Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and Donald O'Connor

TGL: Tell us about your experiences in LA or NY.

Robin: Only been to LA to take some classes. Not my scene. I know where the money and the work is!

TGL: Any up-coming projects that you are working on?

Robin: about 7 a week!

TGL: What can you tell new-comers in the business?

Robin: Try to figure out what you really want to do in the next 5 years and get with a company that will help you accomplish that. Then stick with it. Those that fly from 1 company to the next trying to make cash will never get anywhere.

TGL: Tell us about your dance style?
Robin: It has been an advantage growing up through almost every decade of dance because I can do choreography for swing, 60's, Disco, Funk, Hip-Hop, as well as C&W and Latin. I do whatever style my client wants, but like Hip-Hop best.

TGL: What classes do you recommend individuals to take?

Robin: Depends on your goals. Any dancer will benefit from Jazz or Ballet, but if you want to be a Modern dancer, do that, or Hip-Hop, do that.

TGL: Why did you want to become a dancer/ choreographer?

Robin: It just happened when I was in the Cougar Dolls at U. of H. I was creative and it came kind of naturally. I do most of our choreography cause I do not want to pay out money I'd rather pay to my dancers.

TGL: Where are you currently teaching class?

Robin: I only teach private lessons to large groups now. My dancers teach Enrichment programs in the schools and 2 of my dancers teach Hip-Hop classes at Bally’s in West University.