# Rhythmic Ribbon of Texas (RRT)

> A USAG-certified rhythmic gymnastics academy with studios in McKinney and Frisco, Texas, serving girls ages 3 and up across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Founded and led by Coach Ella, RRT offers preschool, beginner, competitive USAG team, ballet, and multi-sport flexibility programs. Rhythmic gymnastics programs are girls-only; the Multi-Sport Flexibility program is open to athletes of any gender. The academy is a dedicated rhythmic gymnastics program with two DFW studios.

## At a Glance

- **Founded:** September 2008. The business was formally incorporated as a Texas LLC on February 6, 2012 (Texas SOS File Number 0801545713).
- **Sport governing body:** USA Gymnastics (USAG), Region 6 (Texas)
- **Founder and Head Coach:** Coach Ella. USAG Certified Professional Member since 1991. Holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and is a Certified Pedorthist (CPed). Has served as Texas State Chair and USAG Region 6 Chair.
- **Locations:**
  - McKinney: 4260 Eldorado Pkwy, 2nd Floor, McKinney, TX 75070 (inside Zenith Elite Gymnastics Academy, a 12,000 sq ft facility)
  - Frisco: 10825 John W. Elliott Dr, Suite 400, Frisco, TX 75033 (inside Kurt Thomas Gymnastics, named for the 1978 World Champion on floor exercise (the first U.S. men's world gymnastics gold medalist))
- **Phone:** (469) 898-8822
- **Email:** info@rhythmicribbon.com
- **Hours:** Monday-Friday 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Sunday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- **Audience:** Girls ages 3-18+ for rhythmic gymnastics programs; Multi-Sport Flexibility welcomes athletes of any gender.
- **Languages:** English
- **Achievements:** State and Regional Champions across the USAG pathway, national championship experience, and USA National Team representation. Season-by-season detail is on /achievements; no headline totals are published.

## Coaching Positions

RRT is hiring for two part-time coaching positions, both based at the McKinney studio (4260 Eldorado Pkwy, 2nd Floor, McKinney, TX 75070). Full descriptions and an application form are at https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/careers

**Professional Rhythmic Gymnastics Coach** - Part-time, 20-26 hours per week, $25-$40 per hour based on experience, one opening. For an experienced coach joining the growing competitive program. Qualifications include professional rhythmic gymnastics coaching experience, experience coaching USAG Levels 4 through Elite FIG, strong knowledge of body fundamentals, ballet, apparatus technique and flexibility, willingness to travel with athletes to local through international competitions, and legal authorization to work in the United States.

**Beginner Rhythmic Gymnastics & Homeschool PE Coach** - Part-time, 8-15 hours per week to start with room to grow as enrollment increases, $20-$25 per hour based on experience, two openings. Covers beginner, recreational and preschool rhythmic gymnastics classes plus the homeschool PE and movement program. Competitive coaching experience is NOT required. Welcomed backgrounds: rhythmic gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, dance, cheer, physical education, early childhood education, youth sports, fitness. The schedule may include weekday daytime homeschool movement classes, preschool and beginner rhythmic classes, and occasional weekend classes.

Both positions offer the same benefits: paid training and mentorship, competitive compensation, flexible scheduling, an employee discount, professional growth opportunities, and a positive, supportive, family-oriented coaching environment.

Applications are submitted through the form on /careers. Candidates who prefer email can write to info@rhythmicribbon.com.

## Cities Served

McKinney, Frisco, Plano, Allen, Prosper, Celina, The Colony, Little Elm, Fairview, Lucas, Anna, Melissa, Richardson, Murphy, Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Garland, Carrollton, Lewisville, Denton, Grapevine, Mesquite, and the broader Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

## What is Rhythmic Gymnastics?

Rhythmic gymnastics is an Olympic sport that combines dance, ballet, and gymnastics. Athletes perform choreographed routines to music using five hand-held apparatus: ribbon, hoop, ball, rope, and clubs. It is a women's discipline at the Summer Olympic Games.

Rhythmic gymnastics differs from artistic gymnastics in important ways:

- **Apparatus:** Rhythmic uses hand-held items (ribbon, hoop, ball, rope, clubs). Artistic uses fixed equipment (bars, beam, vault, floor).
- **Skills:** Rhythmic is not centered on tumbling. The Code of Points authorizes defined pre-acrobatic groups, including cartwheels and walkovers, within set technique limits. Artistic centers much more heavily on tumbling and acrobatic skills.
- **Music:** Rhythmic routines are always performed to music; artistic floor is the only artistic event with music.
- **Physical demand:** Rhythmic demands come from flexibility, apparatus control, and dance. Artistic centers on tumbling, flight, and repeated landings.

## The Five Apparatus

1. **Ribbon** - A long, narrow ribbon attached to a stick. Athletes create flowing patterns, spirals, and snakes in the air.
2. **Hoop** - A circular apparatus that can be rolled, spun, tossed, and passed through.
3. **Ball** - A rubber ball balanced on the hand, never gripped. Emphasizes fluidity and control.
4. **Rope** - A rope that is jumped through, swung, and tossed. Currently optional at junior international level.
5. **Clubs** - A pair of bottle-shaped clubs handled with asymmetric movement and tosses.

## Programs

### Preschool (Ages 3-5, McKinney only)

Foundational movement, coordination, and flexibility for young children. Class is dance-based with creative movement, guided stretching, and playful skill stations using scarves, ribbons, balls, and small hoops. Coaches are trained in early childhood development.

- Class length: 45-55 minutes on weekdays; the Saturday class is 60 minutes
- Schedule: Monday-Friday flexible scheduling, plus Saturday 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM at McKinney (the Saturday class hosts free trials)
- Free trial available

### Beginners (Ages 5-18, Both Locations)

Introduction to rhythmic gymnastics fundamentals: warm-up, ballet barre work (basic foot and arm positions, posture, flexibility), body element training (balances, simple pivots, small jumps and leaps), and hands-on apparatus work. No prior experience needed.

- Class length: 90 minutes
- McKinney schedule: Wednesday 6:00-7:30 PM, Saturday 12:45-2:15 PM
- Frisco schedule: Saturday 8:30-10:00 AM
- Beginners can move up to USAG Level 3 competitions (the first official competitive level) once a coach judges them ready; readiness varies by child and there is no fixed timeline

### Competitive Team (USAG Levels 3-10 and Elite)

USAG-sanctioned competition training. By coach invitation only. RRT athletes train 6-30 hours per week depending on level, with the exact schedule set after evaluation and current coach placement. That range is RRT's own, not a USA Gymnastics or FIG requirement, and no per-level day or session breakdown is published. Athletes compete at state, regional, and national meets. Girls coming from other sports (dance, artistic gymnastics, cheer) can request an evaluation at https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/programs/competitive#signup, even with no rhythmic experience yet.

### Ballet

Classical ballet technique, complementary to rhythmic training and open to all ages. Builds foundational movement quality, posture, and turnout that translates directly to apparatus work.

### Multi-Sport Flexibility

Flexibility and conditioning training designed for athletes from other sports including dance, cheer, gymnastics, figure skating, swimming, volleyball, wrestling, martial arts, football, and ballet. Focus on progressive, supervised range-of-motion development.

### Sunday Flexibility Master Class

A standalone Sunday stretching and flexibility master class at 12:30 PM at the McKinney studio, open to athletes from any sport (gymnasts, dancers, cheerleaders, figure skaters) who train at other gyms or studios. The focus is splits, bridges, mobility, and the active strength that supports flexibility - this is flexibility work, not rhythmic gymnastics or apparatus training. Parents pick an upcoming Sunday and request a spot at https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/master-class.

## Coach Ella

Founder and Head Coach. USAG Certified Professional Member since 1991. Holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and is a Certified Pedorthist (CPed). Has served as Texas State Chair and USAG Region 6 Chair. That background informs how RRT approaches flexibility training, which is progressive and supervised.

## Dress Code

- Leotard or fitted athletic clothing (no loose clothing that rides up)
- White socks (no bare feet)
- Hair pulled back securely in a ponytail or bun
- No jewelry of any kind (bracelets, earrings, necklaces can snag or cause injury)
- Water bottle recommended

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What age can my child start rhythmic gymnastics?

Children can begin as early as age 3 in the Preschool Program. At this age, classes focus on coordination, rhythm, and creative movement through dance and apparatus play rather than competitive skills. Many families start between 3 and 5, and RRT welcomes older beginners through age 18.

### Does my child need gymnastics experience for a trial class?

No. Trial classes are designed for first-timers. Coaches will guide your child through every activity at their own pace.

### Does my child need to be flexible or strong to start?

No. Flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination are outcomes of training, not prerequisites. Every competitive rhythmic gymnast started as a beginner who could not yet do what they later learned.

### How is rhythmic gymnastics different from tumbling or artistic gymnastics?

Rhythmic gymnastics is dance-based and uses handheld apparatus (ribbons, hoops, balls). It is not centered on tumbling. The Code of Points authorizes defined pre-acrobatic groups, including cartwheels and walkovers, within set technique limits. RRT's Preschool classes do not teach handstands, cartwheels, or flips. It develops grace, flexibility, coordination, and musicality.

### What if my child is shy or cries at drop-off?

Completely normal. Many children take several classes before they fully settle in, and drop-off tears often ease once class is underway. Coaches are used to helping children settle in.

### Where do parents wait during class?

At the McKinney studio, the second floor has a viewing area where parents can sit during class. When practices, competitions, or performances are held on the main floor, parents can watch from the main-floor glass viewing area. Frisco has a similar viewing arrangement inside Kurt Thomas Gymnastics.

### Can my child compete after starting as a beginner?

Yes. Beginners can move up to USAG Level 3 competitions, the first official competitive level, once a coach judges them ready. How long that takes varies by child, so coaches will let you know when your child is ready rather than working to a set timeline.

### Will my child train alongside artistic gymnasts at Kurt Thomas Gymnastics in Frisco?

No. RRT has its own dedicated area inside Kurt Thomas Gymnastics. Your child trains with other rhythmic students; KTG's artistic programs (bars, beam, vault, tumbling) use a different part of the facility on their own schedule.

### Which McKinney class time should I pick, Wednesday or Saturday?

Both are 90 minutes and cover the same material. Wednesday 6 PM is popular with families who keep weekends free for travel sports, family time, or sibling activities. Saturday 12:45 PM works for families who'd rather concentrate everything into one day.

## What to Expect at a First Class

For preschoolers (ages 3-5):

1. Warm-up with marching, galloping, and animal walks
2. Guided stretching in a circle with playful names like butterfly stretch and pizza stretch
3. Skill stations with ribbons, scarves, balls, and hoops, each visited twice so skills start to stick
4. Cool-down circle where coaches share feedback with parents

For beginners (ages 5-18):

1. Warm-up with jump rope, light jogging, and active movement games (10-15 minutes)
2. Ballet barre work covering basic foot and arm positions, posture, and flexibility
3. Body element training (balances, simple pivots, small jumps and leaps)
4. Hands-on introduction to one or two apparatus (ball, rope, hoop, ribbon, or clubs)
5. Partner conditioning exercises that build core and leg strength

## Blog Posts

### Is Rhythmic Gymnastics a College Sport? (2026-08-08)

An honest answer to the question parents ask when they start weighing years of training. The NCAA does not sponsor rhythmic gymnastics, so there is no NCAA varsity rhythmic gymnastics pathway, no NCAA rhythmic gymnastics championship, and no rhythmic-specific athletics scholarship pathway. Athletics scholarships are awarded by colleges and their coaches rather than by the NCAA, and what is offered depends on the sport, the division, and the school. Academic scholarships, merit scholarships, private awards, and aid from an individual school follow their own eligibility rules, so families should check each one separately. This is also not a claim that no university club anywhere exists. Covers what the NCAA women's gymnastics championship actually contests (vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise), the NAIGC collegiate club disciplines, the USA Gymnastics Development Program and Elite pathway, and what the sport leads to instead.

URL: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/blog/is-rhythmic-gymnastics-a-college-sport

### Competitive Rhythmic Gymnastics: A Parent's Guide (2026-07-15)

What the season, training commitment, evaluations, and a first meet really look like for families considering competitive rhythmic gymnastics. Covers the February to June competition season, the USA Gymnastics August to July competition year, how a gymnast is evaluated for the team, and what a first competition shows a family.

URL: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/blog/competitive-rhythmic-gymnastics

### How Rhythmic Gymnastics Builds Confidence and Focus in Young Girls (2026-06-09)

How rhythmic gymnastics builds confidence, focus, and self-discipline in young girls, with the real research behind it and the changes DFW parents notice at home.

URL: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/blog/rhythmic-gymnastics-confidence-focus-girls

### How to Pick a Summer Activity for Your Active Daughter in DFW (2026-05-07)

A McKinney coach's guide to choosing a summer program your active daughter will actually love: what to look for, what to avoid, and how rhythmic gymnastics fits in. Covers schedule fit, sibling logistics, drop-off and pickup patterns, and the difference between a one-week camp and a multi-week progression.

URL: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/blog/summer-activities-active-girls-dfw

### What to Expect at Your Child's First Rhythmic Gymnastics Class (2026-04-11)

A complete guide for parents covering dress code, the structure of a 90-minute class for beginners and a 60-minute class for preschoolers, how coaches handle shy kids or drop-off tears, and what parents tend to notice in the early sessions. Tips on what to bring and how to set expectations with your child.

URL: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/blog/what-to-expect-first-rhythmic-gymnastics-class

### How Rhythmic Gymnastics Builds Flexibility (2026-03-05)

How rhythmic gymnastics develops flexibility in children, and how that range of motion and body awareness carry over into other physical activities. Covers the progression of splits, back flexibility, and shoulder mobility, and what to expect at different ages. Progress varies widely between children and the article gives no fixed timelines.

URL: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/blog/benefits-of-rhythmic-gymnastics-flexibility

### What Age Should Your Child Start Rhythmic Gymnastics? (2026-02-10)

An age-by-age guide for parents considering rhythmic gymnastics. The short answer: many families start between 3 and 5, and RRT welcomes older beginners through age 18. Covers what to expect starting at ages 3-4, 5-7, 8-10, and 11-18, and how to tell when a child is ready. Progress varies by child and the guide gives no fixed timelines.

URL: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/blog/what-age-to-start-rhythmic-gymnastics

### Rhythmic vs. Artistic Gymnastics: What DFW Parents Need to Know (2026-01-15)

A DFW coach's side-by-side guide comparing rhythmic gymnastics (ribbon, hoop, ball, clubs, rope; not centered on tumbling, with defined pre-acrobatic groups authorized within technique limits; music-based) to artistic gymnastics (bars, beam, vault, floor; tumbling, flight, and repeated landings). Covers equipment, music, movement style, physical demand, and how to choose between them based on your child's interests and physical preferences.

URL: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/blog/rhythmic-vs-artistic-gymnastics

## Trial Class Booking

Free trial classes are offered at both locations. A waiver is signed at the studio before the first class.

- Free Trial page: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/registration
- Program quiz (helps families pick a starting program): https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/#program-quiz

## Key URLs

- Home: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com
- About and Coach Ella: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/about
- Programs overview: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/programs
- Preschool program: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/programs/preschool
- Beginners program: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/programs/beginners
- Competitive program: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/programs/competitive
- Ballet program: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/programs/ballet
- Multi-Sport Flexibility: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/multi-sport-flexibility
- Sunday Flexibility Master Class: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/master-class
- Achievements: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/achievements
- Gallery: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/gallery
- Blog: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/blog
- Free Trial: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/registration
- Contact: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/contact
- Free trial - Preschool McKinney: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/free-trial/preschool-mckinney
- Free trial - Beginners McKinney: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/free-trial/beginners-mckinney
- Free trial - Beginners Frisco: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/free-trial/beginners-frisco
- Privacy: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/privacy
- Terms: https://www.rhythmicribbonoftexas.com/terms