My mother always told me that from the time I could walk I was dancing and from the time I could talk I was singing.  I guess you could say that my world really was a stage.  The magic that the performing arts have brought to my life rivals most fairytales.

From the age of three when I walked into my first ballet class to the age of 23 when I walked across the stage and was handed my degree, all I wanted to do was perform.

I started performing professionally when I was 10 with a group called "Young Hope".  After three years some of us split and formed anther touring group called "Encore".

Touring the United States was one of the most exciting experiences of my life.  We performed everywhere from shopping malls to prisons, from California to New York.  In that time I still manage to continue my training at the Bill Graham School of Dance in Oklahoma City.

I attended Putnam City North High School and graduated with the class of 1993.  I headed off to college with a Musical Theatre scholarship to the University of Central Oklahoma and a head full of dreams.  There, I was trained by so many wonderful and talented people and I learned more in five years then I ever thought possible.  I continued to perform but it didn't feel the same.  Something was missing.  I began writing music and performing with local musicians in and around Oklahoma City and put the stage career on the back burner.  Although I enjoyed performing, my heart was leading me in a different direction and I followed it blindly as only a true artist does.  I wanted to direct.

I then met and fell in love with my husband Kyle and with his support and encouragement we packed up everything we had and headed south to Houston so I could fulfill my dream of becoming a director. I instantly fell in love with teaching and mentoring children.  I saw the same gleam in their eyes that my mother used to tell me I had.  Seeing them smile during their first curtain call, or getting so excited about the arrival of their first recital costume literally brought tears to my eyes.

The euphoric innocence of being on stage as a child.  It would be wrong for me to deny that experience to others.  It all finally made sense.  I had found my home, my calling, my purpose.  My job on this earth is to make all of their dreams come true.

Having recently become a mother I now realize, more than ever, the importance of the small things that mean so much to a child.  Loosing their first tooth, learning to ride a bike, making new friends, and all of the little moments that have such a big impact on a child.  Childhood is magic.

I get to relive that magic every time I put on a show.  I am one of the lucky ones.  Very few people get to do what I do and I must thank all of you for the opportunity that has been given to me.  And for that reason I promise you this: Here at Cypress Academy we have a strong commitment to each and every child that walks through our door.  It's our job to educate and encourage each student and help them become their personal best at whatever they choose to do.  At Cypress Academy every child is a star!

God Bless
Maggie Ford