Head Coach- Emma Cox

Emma was raised in Rockwall, Texas. She began training in gymnastics in the first grade, but made the switch to dance in the fifth grade. She began recreational classes at Royalty Dance Academy, and the following year became a member of the Williams Middle School Wildcat Dancers. From 2009-2011 she served as the First Lieutenant in the seventh grade, and was selected as the Captain in the eighth.

In high school Emma was a member of the Rockwall High School Stingerettes, as well as a member of the program's elite team- the Stingerette Showstoppers. As a junior she served as a Lieutenant, and was selected as the Captain the following year. She also competed as a member of the Senior Company at the Dance FX Studio under the direction of Afton Fox before graduating in 2015.

In college, Emma started out as a World Famous Kilgore College Rangerette on the 76th line from 2015-2017, and was a member of the elite Rangerette Swingsters. Under the direction of Dana Blair and Shelley Wayne, she traveled to Florida for the Contest of Champions at Walt Disney World, to New York City for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and to Hawaii for the 75th Anniversary Memorial of Pearl Harbor. In 2017 she transferred to Stephen F Austin State University, to become a member of the (now) 22-time national champion SFA Dance Teams. While under the direction of TJ Maple, she was selected as an NDA All-American, competed at the NDA college nationals competition in Daytona Beach, and served as a captain during her final senior season. She spent two years studying dance performance and choreography under Heather Samuelon and Haley Hoss Jameson, and taking the trial courses for the up-and-coming dance coaching minor with TJ Maple. She graduated with her Bachelors of Science in August of 2019.

During her college years, she also began working for Joyce Pennington with American Dance/Drill Team as a part of their camp and judging staff. While in Nacogdoches, she spent two years as the junior and senior teams coach at Venetia's Studio. Once back in the DFW area, she spent two years on the instructional staff at The Dance FX Studio. She also spent time choreographing many award-winning routines for high school and studio teams across the state of Texas.

The week of grduation, Emma was given the opportunity to become the Choreographer and Recruiter for the Trinity Valley Community College Cardettes and Cardette Showgirls. After two years in the position, she became the Director of Cardettes in the summer of 2021. For more information about her Cardette history, see the history page in the 'About Cardettes' tab.

 

Assistant Coach- Carlie Birmingham

Carlie grew up in the Austin area, and began dancing at the age of 2. She competed in the studio circuit from ages 5 through 13 with Cedar Park Dance Company. She then became a member of the Silver Stars drill team at Running Brushy Middle School. She was a Rhythm Dance Company member as a high school freshman, and then transitioned to the Royals varsity drill team at Rouse High School, before graduating in 2021.

While at TVCC from 2021-2023 on the 61st Cardette line, Carlie was a 2022 DTU College Classic open pom champion as a Cardette Showgirl, and was voted to receive the "Cardette Cleans" award as a freshman. As a sophomore she served as the Captain, where she marched her team through Washington DC in the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. At the conclusion of her time as leader, she had earned her way onto the Dean's List, was voted as the Sophomore Cardette of the Year, and once again received the "Cardette Cleans" award at banquet.

When Carlie served her Captain year from 2022-2023, the team did not yet have an Assistant Director. Carlie naturally stepped-up to the high leadership demands placed on her as the Cardette Captain, and demonstrated her incredible dedication and committment to the success of the Cardette program. This afforded her the opportunity to return as the Assistant Coach for the 2024-2025 season. She looks forward to cherishing the opportunities to get another "one more time" at the Valley and with the Cardettes this year!