Cypress Dancer Schwanna McCarthy and Partner Kenneth Gayle Win Urban Souls’ ‘Dancing with the Houston Stars’
The 2025 edition of Urban Souls Dance Company’s “Dancing with the Houston Stars” dazzled audiences with an evening of movement, meaning, and community. But it was Cypress resident Schwanna McCarthy and her partner, celebrated tenor and arts advocate Kenneth Gayle, who stole the spotlight—and took home the win.
Held on Thursday, November 13 at MATCH (Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston), the annual event showcases Houston-area community leaders ages 50 and over, paired with professional dancers to perform original routines. For Schwanna, a lifelong dancer and choreographer, the event was more than just a performance. It was a moment of full-circle joy—and divine inspiration.
Originally from Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, Schwanna said her connection to dance began early. “According to my mother, I’ve been dancing forever. She tells this great story about how at the age of two, I basically lived in a ballerina tutu,” Schwanna recalled. But it was a fourth-grade school parade—and the choreography of a national dance company artist—that made her fall in love with movement for good.
By age 13, Schwanna had already joined the adult company at Dance Unlimited in the Cayman Islands, becoming the youngest dancer to ever do so. Her early training in modern, African, and ballet styles shaped her foundation and ignited a passion for dance as storytelling. “So many of the dancers in the company that I adored were not just great dancers; they were storytellers—they knew how a gesture or a facial expression could transform a simple movement into art,” she said.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
Behind that growth was a village of mentors. “I’ve been really blessed—at every stage of my journey, I’ve had people pour into me,” Schwanna shared. In Cayman, she credits Dance Unlimited’s director Lorna Reid, along with Patrice Donalds, Susan Barnes, Cassandra Bodden, and Debbie Pixley-Webb. During a summer program in Jamaica, Monica Lawrence Potts of the National Dance Theater welcomed her into her home and choreographed a solo—an act of generosity that deeply shaped Schwanna’s outlook. “All of these people taught me the value of excellence in dance, honoring my experiences and using them in performance,” she said.
The spirit of storytelling that shaped her as a young woman was at the heart of the piece Schwanna choreographed for “Dancing with the Houston Stars.” Titled “Ordinary,” the performance was built around Alex Warren’s song of the same name—though it took a moment of prayer and quiet reflection to find it.
“I began praying to God for inspiration, knowing that my process starts with a song. As I was folding clothes on a Saturday night, I heard this song ‘Ordinary’ by Alex Warren on my Pandora playlist. I knew in a moment that that was going to be my song choice... God divinely inspired this piece,” she said.
Their winning routine told the story of a man in a museum captivated by a beautiful statue and a painting—an idea that took on special significance when Schwanna discovered that Kenneth Gayle, her partner and a true arts enthusiast, lived in a home filled with gallery-worthy artwork. One of those pieces, a painting titled “Blue Angel,” features Kenneth himself imagined as an angel looking down on the earth. The pair incorporated the painting into their performance, giving the piece even more personal resonance.
Schwanna McCarthy and Kenneth Gayle celebrate their win at the 2025 As a mother of two young children and a part-time performer, Schwanna also had to carefully balance her passion with her family life. “My first and most important calling right now is that of stay-at-home Mom, and I don’t like leaving my children for evening rehearsals if I don’t have to,” she shared. “I specifically requested a partner who was available for rehearsals during the day”.
Kenneth Gayle—a celebrated performer with credits from Carnegie Hall to the Lyric Opera of Chicago—proved to be the perfect partner. Known for his powerful voice and commitment to community causes, Kenneth brought not only star power but also heart to their collaboration. “I am so grateful to God for guiding me to a partner who was willing to work hard, have fun, and share a different side of himself with the audience,” Schwanna said.
Their efforts were rewarded not only with applause, but with top honors at the event.
As for the emotional core of the performance, Schwanna had two words in mind: “otherworldly” and “transcendent.” She wanted to offer a moment of transport for those watching. “I wanted to take the audience on a journey where, for just a moment, they felt like they were flying with us,” she said.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
Living in Cypress for the past ten years, Schwanna finds inspiration and support in her local community. From the parks she enjoys with her children like Deputy Darren Goforth Park and Easton Commons Nature Park to local farmers markets and the local dance studios that supported her rehearsal process—including Steppin’ Time Performing Arts Center and Houston Metropolitan Dance Center—Schwanna says her life in Cypress has helped her thrive as both an artist and a mother.
Looking ahead, she’s taking time to rest after the whirlwind of rehearsals and performances. But she’s open to whatever opportunities God may bring next. “Success now means working with people who value me as both an artist and a person—people I genuinely value in return,” she reflected.
Schwanna McCarthy’s victory at “Dancing with the Houston Stars” stands as a powerful reminder: when dance is rooted in faith, community, and authenticity, it becomes more than art—it becomes ministry.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
