Home | InspireDanceAcademy

Inspire Dance Academy is located in Gardner, Kansas and provides dance for students of all ages and skill levels.

We offer recreational dance and competitive dance in both a fun and safe learning environment.

In addition to dance classes we also offer birthday parties, toddler open play time, and adult workout classes.

We would love for you to join our family!

Click here to ENROLL!

Teachers

Meet Our Instructors

Heather Shutt

Our studio owner/director, Heather has been dancing ever since the age of two. She attended the University of Kansas to work towards a Dance Major and Business Minor. Heather has studied many dance forms such as, Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hip, African, Classical East Indian, Improvisation, and others. Throughout her dancing years, Heather has attended many dance conventions and competitions, across the United States, where she has had the chance to train with many well known choreographers. She has also been a dancer in choreographic works with Sonya Tayeh, Tina Cooper, Janet Langer and Laura Edwards. Heather grew up competing for 14 years, and has performed in performances in Branson, Missouri with Kidz Roc!, at the Lied Center of Kansas, and Salina Community Theatre with the University Dance Company. Heather strives to challenge herself everyday while she shares her love of dance with her students and inspires those around her.

Maisie Cowdin

Hi my name is Maisie!

I have been dancing for 16 years. My dance background mostly consists of technical ballet with training from Barbara's Conservatory of Dance. Although, ballet is my strong point I love and have been trained in all styles!

I am currently a junior at The University of Kansas studying to receive my Bachelors of Arts in dance!

Taylor Calvert

Taylor Calvert has over nineteen years of dance experience. She has trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, and hip hop. Taylor danced all four years of high school as a Gardner Edgerton Blazerette. She also danced through her college years, and then went on to continue her dance experience at Johnson County Community College. Taylor is a mother of two young girls who are starting their journey of dance at Inspire. Taylor is very excited and blessed to be joining the family at Inspire Dance Academy. She is excited to share her passion of dance with the students.

Taylor Crouse

Taylor Crouse grew up in Gardner, KS. She started dancing when she was 3 years old and joined her competition team at 6 years old. From there Taylor trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, and musical theater. Taylor joined the blazerettes dance team when entering her freshman year of high school. She was on the team all four years while still dancing with her studio the TKO Allstars. Taylor has placed top five to top three with groups and duets as well as top five and earning first place spots with her solos throughout the years at both studio and dance team nationals and competitions. She also earned a national title with her TKO Allstars at NDA nationals in 2020 for Open Pom.

After graduating from Gardner Edgerton High School Taylor joined the JCCC golden girls dance team for two years and was captain for one. JCCC placed 2nd in both hip hop and jazz both years at NDA nationals. Taylor then was offered a spot on UMKC dance team and spent an additional two years on the team as well as being captain her senior year. UMKC placed 5th and 6th in jazz and Pom in the D1 division her junior year and then placed 3rd and 4th in jazz and Pom in the D1 Division her senior year at NDA nationals. Taylor is also apart of the NDA staff this season and is able to travel around and work with teams of all ages preparing them for NDA nationals. Taylor is currently working towards her Bachelors in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse. Taylor is so excited for this upcoming season!

Lexee Feuerborn

Lexee grew up in Garnett, KS and has trained in all styles of dance including tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, modern, contemporary, and choreography. She earned her B.F.A. in Dance with a certificate in Entrepreneurship from The University of Kansas, where she was a member of the Rock Chalk Dancers and University Dance Company. After college, she danced professionally for the Kansas City Chiefs as a 2022–2023 Chiefs Cheerleader.

Lexee is in her 4th season as head coach of the Gardner Edgerton High School Dance Team and her 2nd year as Director of Inspire All Stars. She’s passionate about sharing her knowledge and is excited for another great season at Inspire Dance Academy!