Julia Riley is the Director of the Lightning Dancers and oversees the drill team program and the dance department at Central High School. This is Julia’s 8th year with the Lightning Dancers. 

 

The Lightning Dancers have been honored to perform at in New York for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, Disney World, Disneyland, in Fort Worth’s Parade of Lights, the Stock Show Parade and as the pre-game performance for the Dallas Mavericks. The team has won numerous awards including Best Overall Technique, Precision, and Performance awards, multiple Winners Circle placements and Regional, State and National  titles.

 

Julia graduated from Boswell High School where she was a 2-year officer of the Pure Gold Dance Team.  After high school, she became a UNT Dancer. Julia was a 3 year member of the UNT Dancers and Captain her 3rd year.  While at UNT, she studied Dance under James Clouser and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Health Promotions.

 

Julia started her teaching career in Fort Worth, TX where she was the director and owner of the Dance Gallery. From there she taught dance at Azle High School and Directed the Emerald Dazzlers for 8 years. Following Azle, Julia jumped to the other side of Eagle Mountain Lake and began teaching at Central High School, running the Dance Department and Directing the Lightning Dancers Organization. One of Julia’s favorite rewards as a teacher is watching her students become successful in the world of dance and in life. 

 

Most important in her life is Julia’s faith and family. She has two beautiful children, Gloria who is 17 and Dylan who is 15, both students at Central High School. Julia and her husband Ragan have were married summer of 2022. We love planning adventures with our kids and trips exploring!