About
Meet Heather
Founder & Lead Instructor
Austin, Texas
Her Story
A Texas girl
born to dance
Heather Dore grew up in a small town west of Austin where Friday nights meant dancing at the local VFW hall, and learning to two-step was as natural as learning to ride a bike. For Heather, the dance floor was always where strangers became friends and strangers became family.
After years of dancing competitively and teaching at studios across Central Texas, Heather had an idea: what if she could share that feeling, that particular magic of a summer Texas night, boots on the floor, music in the air, with visitors who'd only ever heard about it?
Honky Tonk Darlin' was born from that question. Since launching on AirBnB Experiences, Heather has welcomed hundreds of guests from all over the world, teaching them the dances of Texas and sending them home with a piece of Austin in their boots.
The HTD Philosophy
How we do things
No Judgment
Two left feet? Great. We've got two right ones waiting for you. Laughter is part of the lesson.
Genuine Culture
We don't perform Texas for you. We invite you into it. Real venues, real music, real hospitality.
Pure Joy
Heather measures success by how big you're smiling at the end of the night. That's the whole point.
The Team
Our instructors
Heather occasionally brings in fellow Texas dance lovers to lead specialty sessions and private events. Every HTD instructor shares the same philosophy: great teaching, genuine warmth, and a deep love for the dances of Texas.
Heather Dore
Founder & Lead Instructor
Texas Two-Step · Line Dancing · Country Waltz
Austin-born and raised. Over a decade of competitive and social dancing experience.
Guest Instructors
Specialty Sessions
Cotton-Eyed Joe · Polka · Swing
Hand-selected Austin dance community members brought in for special events and private sessions.
Where We Dance
Venues across Austin
We don't have a single fixed location, and that's by design. The right venue depends on the vibe you're looking for, your group size, and what's happening in the city. Details are always shared in advance.
Outdoor Dance Halls
Open skies, warm air, and string lights. The Texas summer night in its purest form.
Honky-Tonk Bars
Sawdust floors and neon signs. Local institutions with real Texas character.
Private Venues
For private events and corporate bookings, we scout locations tailored to your group.
Historic Dance Halls
Some of Texas' most beloved dance halls, with roots going back over a century.
