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!

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Teachers

Meet Our Instructors

Heather Shutt

Our studio owner/director, Heather has been dancing ever since the age of two, went to University of Kansas for a Dance Major and Business Minor and has studied many dance forms such as, Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hip, African, Classical East Indian, Improvisation, and others. Throughout her years, Heather has attended many dance conventions and competitions, across the United States, where she has had the chance to train with Mia Michaels, Mandy Moore, Travis Wall, and many more. She has also been a dancer in choreographic works with Sonya Tayeh, Tina Cooper, Janet Langer and Laura Edwards. Heather grew up competing for approximately 14 years, and has performed in performances in Branson, Missouri with Kidz Roc!, as well as 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 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!

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.

Sarah Perez

Sarah Perez is nineteen years old and has been dancing for sixteen years! She has trained at Dallas Repertoire Ballet, Kansas Dance Academy, and Joffrey Ballet School and is currently training at the University of Kansas. She is trained in ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, tap, modern, lyrical, street jazz, and musical theater. She was a competition dancer from ages 9-18 and a member of the Maize South High School Dance Team all four years where she also choreographed jazz, lyrical, and hip hop routines. She is currently attending the University of Kansas pursuing a degree in psychology with a minor in dance. She is also a member of the University Dance Company at KU. Recently Sarah performed (August 2024) with the Joffrey Ballet School Jazz and Contemporary program in New York City. She is so excited to share her love for dance with her students!

Kara Zech

Biography Coming Soon!

Lexee Feuerborn

Lexee grew up in Garnett, KS and has trained in all aspects of dance including, tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, modern, contemporary, dance history and choreography. She attended The University of Kansas where she graduated with a B.F.A in Dance with a certificate in Entrepreneurship. While at KU, she was a member of the Rock Chalk Dancers and the University Dance Company. Through the Rock Chalk Dance team, she performed for KU’s athletic competitions such as football, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball and has also performed on stage with New Kids on the Block. Lexee has choreographed for high school dance teams and many studio competition teams and has received multiple choreography awards for her dances. After graduating from KU, she will continue her dance degree with the Kansas City Chiefs as a Chiefs Cheerleader. Lexee is excited to share her dance knowledge and passion while working with the students at Inspire Dance Academy.