By Anne DeVries
After 23 years of nurturing young dancers and fostering community, Leigh Simmons, affectionately known as "Miss Leigh" to her students, is retiring as owner of Tarrytown Dance. A former award-winning dancer, devoted mentor, and pillar of the Austin community, Simmons leaves a legacy of empowerment, creativity, and connection that has positively impacted the lives of thousands.
Simmons, a Fort Worth native and TCU journalism graduate, relocated to Austin in 1992 and quickly became immersed in the community. She co-chaired the Tarrytown Parade, served on the Elizabeth Ann Seton Board, and actively participated in the Junior League and Helping Hand Home for Children. Following the birth of her two children, she felt a calling to support her community further. Her passion for dance, sparked in early childhood and refined through teaching jazz and tap, inspired her to open Tarrytown Dance Studio in 2002.
“When I opened the studio, Tarrytown didn’t have a dance studio, and neither did Central Austin,” Simmons recalled. “I wanted to create a safe, creative space for kids to grow.” The original studio was a cozy haven where children could run in the courtyard and eat lunch on benches after arriving from their school day.
Simmons expanded to a Westlake location in 2004 as the studio grew by founding the West Austin Dance Academy. Following a 5-year endeavor of managing and operating the two studios, she sold the Westlake studio and utilized the proceeds to focus on Tarrytown Dance. She relocated the studio across the street from its original site in 2010, collaborating with award-winning architect Brad Nelsen to design a magical space for her students.
Over the years, Simmons estimates that she has taught over 8,000 students, offering up to 80 classes per week. Her focus was not just on dance etiquette, but also on life lessons, such as listening skills, confidence, and accountability. “I hope families remember me as a positive force in their children’s lives,” she said. “Not just teaching dance, but empowering kids to do whatever they want, whether it’s dance or something else.”
Simmons’s impact extends beyond the daily class interactions and studio operations. Inspired by her mentorship, former students have returned to choreograph or teach at Tarrytown Dance, and some employees have even gone on to open their own studios. Simmons’s ongoing commitment to her staff and valuing their fresh ideas set a collaborative environment that resulted in minimal turnover and steady quality throughout her management of the studio—a testament to her leadership.
A mother of two, Wyatt and Gigi, Simmons balanced her roles as a mother, business owner, and community leader with grace, though not without sacrifice. A 2022 neck surgery altered her perspective, prompting her to envision a future with more flexibility. “The studio is all-consuming, with beautiful energy,” she said. “But I want to travel, immerse myself in culture and languages, decompress, and explore further interests in this next chapter.”
Retirement doesn’t mean slowing down for Simmons. She is already writing a children’s book series, Tea with Miss Leigh, aimed at educating and cultivating young girls, with possible plans for live events and a cartoon. “I love kids and want to keep impacting them,” she said. She also plans to work with children who have developmental delays, a passion she looks forward to having time to pursue.
Reflecting on her legacy, Simmons hopes to be remembered as a mentor who provided a safe, nurturing space for children to thrive. “Being part of this community has been such a blessing,” she said. “Working with kids in a creative environment—it’s been more than perfect.”
As Simmons steps into her next chapter, the Austin community celebrates her contributions, confident that her influence will continue to inspire generations of dancers and dreamers.
Tarrytown Dance-Through the years
Miss Leigh’s Retirement Party-April 30, 2025
Photo Credit: Candi Noble
