The Where I Live series aims to showcase our diverse city and region by spotlighting its many vibrant neighborhoods. Each week a local resident invites us over and lets us in on what makes their neighborhood special. Have we been to your neighborhood yet? Get in touch to share your story. If your story is selected and published, you will receive a $250 stipend.
I was born and raised in San Antonio into a family of flamenco artists that rooted themselves on the city’s Southside. I grew up listening to the toll of the mission bells ringing on Sunday mornings and enjoying family dinners after dance recitals at Don Pedro’s on SW Military Drive.
On Huff Avenue, our house was filled with the music of my grandfather’s flamenco guitar as my grandmother would practice her zapateado in the kitchen. When we were not dancing, the grandchildren would place the mangera (waterhose) on the iron pillar over the concrete porch and we would slide through the water, back and forth, on hot summer days.
My family is still rooted on the Southside, living and running our family business Teresa Champion Dance Academy. This studio holds over 50 years of memories for my family and the families who have danced with us. While we’ve relocated a few times, no matter what space our studio was in, those spaces were our second home — preparing for performances throughout San Antonio at venues such as the Market Square, Arneson River Theater, Beethoven Theater and many others.
Teresa Champion Dance Academy is a true San Antonio Legacy and a family tradition that still welcomes dancers of all ages to engage in the art form of flamenco and culture of Mexican Folklórico dance.
Annette Flores poses for a portrait with her daughter Xochitl Perez at the Museum Reach area of the River Walk. Credit: Clint Datchuk for the San Antonio Report
As I started my own family and career, I found myself living just north of town off Main Avenue, working as an adjunct professor at San Antonio College. Living in my beautiful rainbow city across from LGBTQ strip, I was always an ally but at that point, I immersed myself in the community dancing on the stages alongside legends like Sweet Savage, Lynz Andrews, Just Lexi and many other Drag Queens.
I also became a member of Diablos Outsports, the largest LGBTQ+ and Alliance amateur sports organization, where I supported many of my friends in flag football, dodgeball and kickball games. You can now find me playing sand volleyball on Monday nights.
As my time on Main Avenue ended, I found myself living on Broadway right off the beautiful San Antonio River Walk Museum Reach. My backyard is filled with the sounds of the live music from the VFW Post 76 and people gathering at El Camino to enjoy food truck eats.
People run and walk along the Museum Reach area of the River Walk. Credit: Clint Datchuk for the San Antonio Report
The River Walk holds a special place in my heart as I am an ambassador for Visit San Antonio. I’ve worked with Visit San Antonio for the past 2 years, as San Antonio River Walk Princess in 2024 and now the Duchess of 2025, raising funds and awareness for the San Antonio Hospitality Foundation Scholarship fund. This organization has created new friendships and understanding of the hospitality industry and how our city thrives on tourism. I am forever grateful for San Antonio River Walk Royalty, as we have become more than friends but family who support each other in all we do.
Living off the River Walk brings me a lot of joy. I get to watch people enjoy the life line of our city and I too, get to share this with my daughter, who loves to go on Wednesday walks to our favorite restaurant at the Pearl, La Gloria.
I am no stranger to any part of San Antonio. As a performing artist, I have performed throughout our city, but my heart starts on the Southside and leaves beats throughout downtown as it travels home to Broadway Street.