Faculty
About Lauren Ashley Dance Center
Lauren Ashley Dance Center offers ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, acrobatics, lyrical, musical theatre, modern, PBT, pointe, and contemporary classes for kids ages 18 months to 19 years old in Nixa, Missouri. We cater our classes to both recreational and competitive dancers.
Our mission is to provide quality instruction that will inspire students to love the art of dance and teach them how to become well-rounded individuals while providing a safe atmosphere where each student can grow as an individual dancer and person!
Our staff has trained with some of the most well-known instructors in the industry, so you can rest assured knowing that your kids will get quality instruction and attention from an experienced teacher who cares about them as individuals. We pride ourselves on having an excellent team here at Lauren Ashley Dance Center who will work hard every day to ensure your kids are learning new skills while having fun!
Why us?
Our faculty are some of the most qualified and experienced teachers in the area, ranging from former Joffrey Ballet Dancers to backup dancers with Mariah Carey.
Many of our teachers hold college degrees in dance, while others are current, working performers. Our goal is to ensure that our students continue to gain up-to-date, industry-standard knowledge from all sides of the field.
Our facilities are state of the art, with the same sprung dance floors as the Joffrey Ballet, which ensures that our students’ bodies are protected at the highest level. We also offer training equipment for Pilates, Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), and acrobatics. We have teachers who are certified through both PBT and Acrobatic Arts, always teaching these special techniques with the utmost care, skill, and safety.
Meet The Team
Lauren has taught my children for 13 years. She is kind, patient, and knows how to teach. She knows how to bring out the best in the dancers and build their confidence in their dancing abilities. She has choreographed some of my favorite dances. She has vast knowledge in competitive dancing. She has some very talented teachers working for her. Ms. Mac, Ms. Maddie, and Ms. Hallie are all beautiful dancers and excellent teachers. They bring out the best in the dancers they teach. Their enthusiasm for teaching and watching their students grow shows.
- Amy Taylor
Lauren Ashley
Founder and Owner
Meet Lauren Ashley
LAUREN ASHLEY… is a native of Chicago and has been dancing since she could walk. She received prestigious training at Lou Conte and Joel Hall Dance Center, as well as attending the Chicago Academy for the Arts High School on a dance scholarship. She has had the pleasure of training under legendary teachers such as Joel Hall, Anna Paskevska, Randy Duncan and Kirby Reed. Totaling 31 years of extensive training, she is well versed in Ballet, Tap, Pointe, Lyrical, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, Hip Hop and Ballroom. Lauren has performed with well-known companies and artists such as The Joffrey Ballet, Lil’ Wayne, Mariah Carey, James Brown, and many more. Teaching for 15 years, she comes highly requested as a Master Teacher. In addition to owning and directing Lauren Ashley Dance Center, she is also the head coach for the Springfield Catholic Emerald Girls dance team. She has brought many competitive teams to receive choreography awards, high place awards and national titles. Some of Lauren’s students have recently been spotted dancing for Vanilla Ice in Las Vegas, The Houston Rockets, Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders, Dixie Stampede in Branson, touring with Brad Ross: International Star Illusionist, Kenny Rogers: The Toy Shoppe and many more. Lauren has been judging regional, national and international competitions for 12 years and is now a Show Director for Spotlight Dance Cup. She loves being able to continue her passion for helping dancers grow and constantly evolve.
Meet Allegra Schaeffer
Originally from St. Charles, Missouri, Allegra earned her BFA in Musical Theatre and BS in Dance from Missouri State University. Allegra has a passion for Pilates, and teaching as well as performing theatre and dance. Allegra has choreographed for several musicals including Tuck Everlasting, Spring Awakening, and Bare: a pop opera. She has had the pleasure of teaching for over 10 years as well as assistant directing and directing several theatre programs.
Allegra loves teaching ballet and dance science especially. She recently discovered dance film as a new media through the Covid pandemic and loves how videography, choreography, and editing all come together to create a piece of art. Film credits include Choreographer/Director for SIX, and Feral Zone, as well as dancer in Material Possession, (Un)Natural [Habitats], and Out of Body. Allegra has a lot of experience and training to offer the dancers at LADC to assist in furthering their passion for dance and training in a safe and effective manner.
Allegra Schaeffer
Instructor
Maya
Instructor
Meet Maya
Maya grew up dancing in St. Louis, Missouri and has been in dance for over 17 years. She’s formally trained in jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, contemporary, lyrical and hip hop. Maya had the pleasure of being on the Kent State University Dance Team before transferring to Missouri State where she majors in History Education with a Minor in dance. With her training, years as a competitive dancer, and now collegiate dance experience and education, she’s ready to share her love and passion for dance with students at LADC.
Meet Madison Foreman
Madison Foreman began her dance training at Sonshine Performing Arts Academy and has been dancing for over 22 years. She is trained in various styles of dance and exceeds in Musical theatre, Jazz and Tap. She has had the pleasure of touring the east coast in the show, written by Kenny Rogers “ The Toy Shoppe starring Alan Thicke” and has worked with numerous magicians such as Kirby Vanburch, Ben Blaque, Brad Ross, Rick Thomas,Reza, Jackson Rayne and many more. She has also performed at Dolly Parton’s Stampede and The Showboat Branson Belle. She is currently the show and dance captain for “The Silver Dollar Saloon” where she is the lead role “ Miss Tilly”. Madison also is a choreographer for multiple high schools theater departments, Silver Dollar City, Springfield Catholic Emerald Girls, Sonshine Dance Troupe and is currently choreographing a local movie called, Eldritch U.S.A. Madison is passionate about her love for dance and hopes to spread that passion to the rest of the world.
Madison Foreman
Instructor
Lezlie Johanson
Instructor
Meet Lezlie Johanson
As the daughter of two collegiate theater professors, Lezlie has had the influence of dance her entire life. She began dancing at age 4 and over time found herself dancing with very well known teachers. Her teachers have included Mia Michaels, Twitch, Stacey Tookey, Kenny Wormwood and even Justin Timberlakes Choreographer, Brian Kudelka. She has traveled as a company member for Tremaine dance conventions and spent time assisting teachers like Derrick Shrader and Meghan Sanett. She has been seen in shows including The Andy Williams Christmas Show, Dino Kartsonakis Christmas Show and Tour, Taylor Reed Magic Show and is currently the Speciality Equestrian Performer and Dance Captain at Dolly Parton Dixie Stampede. Lezlie also enjoys sharing her experience and knowledge as a teacher at LADC.
Meet Halle Lawson
Halle Lawson has been dancing for 12 years and has trained extensively across the genres of ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, and hip hop. Of those 12 years, she spent five competing and won numerous first overall awards. She recently discovered her passion for teaching and has taught dancers ranging from ages three to 12 for the past two years. As a performer, one of her favorite career credits to date has been dancing with the Messiah Project. Currently, Halle is pursuing a double major in Dance and Literature at Missouri State University. She is thrilled to join the diverse faculty at Lauren Ashley Dance Center and continue to share her passion for dance with all of her students!
Halle Lawson
Instructor
Gabrielle Fields
Instructor
Meet Gabrielle Fields
Gabrielle has been dancing for 20 years and is trained in Ballet, Pointe, Acro, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz and Musical Theatre. In addition to her extensive training, she began teaching at 17. She learned quickly she had a natural ability to find new and unique ways of working with dancers and teaching them out of the ordinary choreography. She has won multiple 1st overall awards and National Titles in her years spent as a competitive dancer. Both in the studio and out, Gabrielle loves working with kids and has spent many hours as a nanny as well. Gabrielle attended Missouri State University and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Visual Arts Culture. She is continuing her passion for dance by working with the students and company members of LADC.
Meet Aliyah Mohler
Aliyah Mohler began her dancing journey at 3 years old. She started practicing strict ballet at Springfield Ballet. At age 8 she expanded her learning to Lyrical, Hip Hop, Tap, Contemporary, Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Pointe and began her competitive dance career. Aliyah has always had a strong passion for improvisation and helping other dancers find their own unique style and flow. Throughout competing she has had the privilege of working with Don Mirault, owner and director of Theatre Arts Preparatory School and performing at Clay Cooper Theatre. Outside of dance Aliyah has been singing since she could talk and is now a licensed Esthetician. Aliyah is thrilled to pass on her knowledge and artistic abilities to the dancers at Lauren Ashley Dance Center.
Aliyah Mohler
Instructor
Sadie Nehlsen
Instructor
Meet Sadie Nehlsen
Sadie Nehlsen teaches ballet, modern, jazz, and conditioning classes in Southwest Missouri. She is a current Honors College student at Missouri State University pursuing BS degrees in both Biology and Dance and is certified to teach Progressing Ballet Technique. She graduated from the Chicago High School for the Arts, where she studied ballet, Horton, and Graham techniques in a conservatory setting. Sadie was a counselor for Boston Ballet’s 2022 summer intensive. She hopes to continue to grow as a performer and as a teacher as she gathers valuable experiences daily.
Meet Star Brokate
Before she could walk, Star Brokate would sway in her car seat to music. It was immediately obvious that her body and spirit came alive every time she heard it. She started dancing at the age of two with Rae Owen at Dance Branson and joined their competition team. She began traveling across the country from California to Florida to train with some best in the business, Joe Tremaine, Keith Clifton, Brian Freeman, Travis Wall, Tiffany Maher, Kyle Robinson, Nakul Dev Mahajan, Emily Zachary, and many more. Studying in all forms of dance and excelling in ballet and contemporary, Star has won many scholarships and awards including, Performer of the Year at Dance Makers Inc. in Myrtle Beach.
Star is beyond thrilled to be teaching and sharing her love of dance at Lauren Ashley Dance Center.
Star Brokate
Instructor
Bradlee Wormington
Instructor
Meet Bradlee Wormington
Bradlee Wormington has been training, competing, and performing for over 15 years. In addition to her many years of experience, she’s also had the pleasure of dancing on the Drury Scarlett’s Dance Team for Drury University with a dance scholarship. Knowing the importance of being a well-rounded dancer, she studied hip-hop, jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater, Acro, and tap extensively.
Bradlee has had the honor of receiving multiple first-overall awards at both regional and national dance competitions. Though competition is important, her real passion lies in helping dancers explore and find their passion in the performance world in a positive manner. Bradlee is excited to share her passion and positivity with the dancers at LADC.
FAQ
Please see our fees page. Our group classes are charged by the total hours of dance a week. Private lessons start at $35 for 30 minutes or $55 for 60 minutes.
Yes. Lauren Ashley Dance Center Company is geared toward dancers who want to elevate their experience and training. We have 3 levels of Company to ensure everyone finds their “fit”. Lauren Ashley Dance Center Company specializes in cutting-edge choreography and innovative ideas and concepts. We make sure choreography stays age-appropriate and best tailored to each dancer. Becoming a company member means more performance and training opportunities including but not limited to, Walt Disney World, Chicago, National Dance Competitions in exciting locations like Virginia Beach, and more. Company is your chance to take dance to the next level!
We offer classes in many styles for ages 18 months to 18 years. Explore our classes in styles such as Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Pointe, Acrobatics, Technique, and more!
Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Pointe, Acrobatics and Acrobatic Arts, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Modern, Musical Theatre, PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique), Technique, Jazz Funk, and dance team/poms. We also offer private lessons in all of these styles.
The total number of classes that a student is eligible for is determined by our staff. Our classes run anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes depending on the age and skill level. Please contact us or call for class placement.
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