Talent

The legacy of the Hess years in Texas is rich, far reaching, and astounding. Artists once under the tutelage of "Mr. Hess" have fanned the globe near and far significantly affecting the areas of education and life enriching enterprises.

Mr. Hess's daughters, Lisa, Jillana, and Alexia, had successful careers in dance. Two with the New York City Ballet and one with the Chicago Opera Ballet. Presently, all are involved in dance, theater, and concert work as they choreograph, teach, and lend their expertise in countless ways to a wide variety of projects.

Many former students of Mr. Hess are also involved in teaching throughout the United States. One teaches with the Feld Co. in New York City. Others mold dancers in Los Angeles, Dallas, San Diego, El Paso, Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh, various cities in New Jersey, and Berlin, Germany.

A former student is a well known song writer and recording artist operating in Nashville. One is a star "actor" in London while another has had an amazing career as a singer, dancer, and actor in South Africa. Still another protege is a well known director having made his mark in Las Vegas and the Gulf coast region. One Hess student sang leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera in New York while another achieved celebrity status as an actor in the Dallas area. Many have performed in Las Vegas.

A talented female student of Mr. Hess is a film writer, director, and stand up comedienne. Several of Mr. Hess's trainees have written novels and one recently published a "masterwork" volume dealing with interior design. A talented male student performed on Broadway, in Atlantic City, on cruise ships, and throughout Europe. Another Hess pupil, a "triple threat female", teaches acting in Amarillo, Texas.

Artists trained by Mr. Hess have performed in Broadway's Carousel, Fiddler On The Roof, 1776, A Chorus Line, Cabaret, Jerome Robbins Broadway, Phantom Of The Opera, 110 In The Shade, and in Nureyev And Friends. They have also utilized their talents in support of countless regional theatres throughout the United States. One of Mr. Hess's trainees is prominent in theatre work in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he sings, acts, dances, and directs. A well known Hess student performed in Cats and was dance captain for that production.

Dancers trained by Mr. Hess and his wife Camille have performed with:

Known for his success in recruiting male dancers, Mr. Hess's group at one time included sixteen men. While the group performed at an American college dance festival, a peer from another Texas University was overheard to say: "Mr. Hess has more men dancers on that stage tonight than I have had in my entire career of teaching".

Recently, while on a directorial assignment in Salt Lake City, a group of his former students traveled from cities across the U.S. to surprise Mr. Hess with a reception in his honour. This corps of Artists presented their mentor with several bound volumes filled with letters, pictures, and memorabilia provided by former students across the globe on their behalf. It was a grand gesture and Mr. Hess considers this tribute the highest honour of his life. He gives thanks to God for the privilege of spending a lifetime working with an army of amazing, talented, caring, and productive human beings.

This web site is dedicated to every student who ever sat in Mr. Hess's classroom, did a plie´ under his tutorship, performed under his direction, operated a spotlight for one of his performances, rolled a set piece on or off stage, or contributed in any manner to the "magic" God allowed him to conceive. Mr. Hess loves and respects all of you, and, from the bottom of his heart...He Thanks You!