The Story Behind The Twirl

Meet Connie McRae

Owner & Instructor | Hooping With A Twist Of Line, LLC

For Connie McRae, dancing is about so much more than learning steps—it’s about movement, confidence, connection, community, and FUN!

With more than four years of teaching experience, Connie is the owner and instructor of Hooping With A Twist Of Line, LLC, offering Line Dance Lessons, Partner Dancing, Country Swing, Hoop Dance, and a variety of workshops and special-event instruction throughout Calhoun County, Alabama.

Her classes welcome everyone from Absolute Beginners to more experienced dancers, with one simple goal:

Get everyone dancing and moving!

Where It All Began

Connie's love of line dancing began on her 21st birthday—and in a place you might not expect: a beauty salon!

At the time, Connie worked in a salon, and the owner and manager were taking her out to celebrate her birthday that evening. There was just one problem: they wanted to make sure she knew some dances before they went!

So, in between clients, they taught Connie a few easy, well-known line dances.

She was instantly hooked.

Connie began taking line dance lessons at what was then The Show Palace in Oxford, Alabama, as well as Dee Fords in Anniston, Alabama.

But the dancing didn't stop when the lessons ended.

Her best friend—who is now her brother-in-law—Charles McGathy, and his best friend Roger Hunter worked at the Anniston Bowling Alley and had to stay until closing. After Connie finished her dance lessons, she would arrive as they were getting ready to close and teach them the dances she'd learned that night—right there on the bowling lanes!

Once they learned the dances, they'd drop a few coins into the jukebox and dance them out.

Those memories helped create a lifelong love of line dancing and a belief Connie still carries into every class she teaches:

You can line dance to music, anywhere!

From Dancer To Instructor

Today, Connie brings that same enthusiasm to her students.

She is KickStart Country trained, a Certified Hoop Love Coach, a Certified Country Fusion Line Dance Fitness Instructor, and a Certified Country Fusion Kids Instructor, with additional training and education continuing as she grows as an instructor.

Connie believes a great instructor should always remain a student, too.

One of the highlights of her year is attending Nashville Dance Fest in Nashville, Tennessee, a KickStart Country event. She loves the incredible energy and sense of community, meeting dancers from all over who share the same passion, and participating in multiple workshops that help her become both a better dancer and a better instructor.

That experience is also why Connie encourages her students to learn from different instructors.

Every Instructor brings their own "spice" to a lesson.

Different teaching styles, personalities, techniques, and experiences can all add something new to a dancer's journey. Connie believes embracing those differences makes the dance community - and each individual dancer - stronger.

Everyone Has A Place on the Dance Floor

Whether someone has never danced before or already has years of experience, Connie wants them to feel welcome.

Her lessons range from Absolute Beginner through more experienced levels, creating opportunities for dancers to learn at a pace that works for them while continuing to challenge themselves.

Through Hooping With A Twist Of Line, LLC, Connie offers:

Line Dance Lessons
Partner Dancing
Country Swing
Hoop Dance
Line Dance Fitness
Kids' Dance Instruction
Workshops
Special Event Instruction

Connie is especially passionate about introducing more families and children to dance. She wants dancing to be something people can enjoy together—regardless of age, experience, or background.

For Connie, success isn't about creating the “perfect” dancer.

It's seeing someone who was nervous about stepping onto the dance floor begin moving, smiling, laughing, building confidence, and realizing:

"Hey - I can do this!"

That's what Hooping With A Twist Of Line, LLC is all about.

Get moving. Keep learning. Meet new people. Have fun. And DANCE!