Meredith Harper Houston
Meredith Harper Houston is a Pioneering Trauma Expert, Choreographer, Juvenile Criminal Justice Youth Leader & Activist/Founder. As Founder and Chair of Swan Within: Healing Through Ballet, a non-profit company that empowers and provides ballet to incarcerated teen girls.
Mrs. Houston Developed Balletics: Raising The Barré Program, geared to enhance precision of performance for professional and student athletes. Using the same principles as Swan Within's Discipline, Determination & Dedication.
“With great attention paid to mental wellness, I designed my workout to train basketball players to jump higher, hockey players to skate better and soccer players to execute quick lateral moves with a reduced risk of injury, etc.,. Athletes do not know how to really use the full potential of the foot. Use of turnout and strength in the peroneals – the lateral side of the calf – would also decrease ankle sprains when players land from jumps by ensuring that the foot is trained not to roll over the lateral edge”
— Meredith Harper Houston
What People Are Saying
“Our office has seen, first-hand, the impact this organization has had in the Juvenile Halls and Camps in providing therapeutic ballet classes at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall (3rd District) and Camp Joseph Scott (5th District) for over 2 years. Initially, Swan Within was entirely self-funded, and their work has been so Innovative meaningful and beneficial that, with our support, they were able to secure and LA County Probation County Wide Anti-Gang Strategies Program (anti-Gang) grant to continue their groundbreaking work In the 3rd District”
— Sheila Kuehl, Chair of the Board Supervisors, Los Angeles Third District
“We congratulate you on your selection as one of our 2019 Pioneer Women of the Year! The annual Pioneer Women of the Year Awards honor leaders who champion gender equality in our City. This Award is the City’s opportunity to say THANK YOU”
— Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles City Council
