SouthWest Teachers Association of Performing Arts was established in 1970 by teachers from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

Jeannie Strain and Lawrence Raeback, among others from the area, collaborated and created SWTA as a way to encourage the performing arts within dance studios and Jr. and High School lines in all forms including dance, baton twirling and gymnastics/tumbling.  The association has been successfully involved in helping teachers, bands, drill teams and various booster clubs to furnish competitions for fundraisers for 50+ years.