About Us
Mission Statement: To provide a place to worship and create beautiful art through dance and choreography that honors and glorifies God.
Our Studio offers instructional classes in ballet, jazz, modern, pointe, tap, lyrical, and more to youth and adults that are interested in improving their talents and skills through dance or to just enjoy the art of dancing. Our class time will consist of stretching, learning steps, combinations, and choreography as well as strengthening the students’ spiritual growth by having short devotional times, reading scripture, and praying together. We also strive to have age-appropriate music, costumes, and dance movements. Our desire is to offer a God-honoring, family-friendly environment with classes for children ages four to adult without the pressure of competition.
Meet Our Team
Laura Ninneman
Dance Studio Owner and Teacher
Laura began taking dance classes at the age of 5 in Excelsior Springs, Missouri with Fine-Hammond Dance Studio and continued until her high school graduation. At the age of 12 she decided she wanted to run her own dance studio and over the summer she began giving lessons to her friends on the back porch of her parents’ home. This resulted in a small dance recital a couple of months later so that she and her students could perform for their families. Moving into high school, Laura was given the opportunity to help choreograph for the schools’ Pop Choir and musicals. Laura applied and auditioned for the Missouri Fine Arts Academy and was granted acceptance her senior year of high school for additional dance training. Entering into adulthood, Laura began a dance director internship at Christian Youth Theater (CYT) North. Following shortly after, she was hired as a choreographer for a musical at The Academy of Christian Theatre (ACT One). She remained on staff at ACT One for several years teaching dance classes, directing camps, choreographing musicals, and working as an Administrative Assistant. Most recently, Laura has had the pleasure of working on children’s musicals as a choreographer for SHINE of KC. Besides her love for dance, Laura also enjoys spending time with her family and serving at her church, Bethany Fellowship of Kansas City.
Alicia Ewing
Substitute Dance Teacher
Alicia Ewing has been dancing since she was 4 years old. Her formal instruction was in tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, acrobat, pom pom, and hip hop at Liberty Dance Center, and Shirley’s School of Dance in Liberty, MO. She also studied at Ibsen Dance Studio in Gladstone. Alicia has done master classes in dance with Tommy Tune, and the Alvin Ailey Dancers. After high school, Alicia taught dance classes at Shirley’s School of Dance in Liberty, MO and Dance City in Lawrence, KS. After graduating from William Jewell College in 2000, with a degree in Vocal Performance and Theater where she was a member of the Cardinal Dance Team, Alicia was able to continue in her love of the arts with both performing and directing. Her roles on the stage have been performed at Gladstone Theater in the Park, Shawnee Mission Theater in the Park, Starlight Theater, the Coterie Theater, the Kansas City Repertory Theater, the New Theater Restaurant, and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. With a passion for teaching young hearts, Alicia has taught and directed music, dance, and drama for CYT North, ACT One, Audience of One (Fort Wayne), and is currently the owner and Artistic Director for SHINE Christian Performing Arts of KC.
Hi! I’m Audey Speck and I’m excited to help teach at Spirit Dance! I have been dancing since I was 5 and have trained in ballet, jazz, and contemporary. I have performed with many different studios, and I love sharing the stage and my passion for dance with others! I love teaching others and seeing them grow in confidence and technique. I want to create a fun environment that promotes strength and confidence, but most importantly a love for dance and movement. When I’m not dancing, you can find me hanging out with my animals, working out, or planning events.
Audey Speck
Dance Teacher
Brooke Hoffecker
Dance Teacher
Brooke has been passionate about dance since she was 3 years old and is dedicated to helping students grow in both skill and confidence. She began her training at Shirley’s School of Dance and continued her dance education at Elite Dance Studio, Studio 10, and Conservatory of Dance Education (C.O.D.E.). Brooke also trained with Kansas City Ballet for a year and a half, performing in the Nutcracker with the company, further developing her technical foundation and artistry. In high school, Brooke was a member of the Liberty High School Sapphire Dance Team from 2008–2011, helping lead the team to 2 state championship titles and serving as captain during her senior year. After graduating Brooke performed professionally throughout the Kansas City area, including Starlight Theatre. Brooke has been teaching dance since 2018 and loves working with dancers of all ages and abilities. She and her husband are active members of Bethel Church of Liberty, where they serve as the Youth and Worship Ministry Directors. As a homeschool mom of three, she understands the importance of nurturing each child's unique gifts and is committed to helping students grow not only as dancers, but also as confident, disciplined, and compassionate individuals.
Alayna Ewing has had a love for song and dance since she was a baby. Her formal training in dance began as a toddler at Studio 10 in Liberty, MO. Pursuing her gifts in performance, she also received training in theater, dance, and music, at ACT One, the Academy of Christian Theater (Kansas City), Audience of One (Fort Wayne, Indiana), and SHINE Christian Performing Arts of KC, from 1st thru 12th grade. Passion for music resulted in her receiving formal training in acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and voice. Self-taught on piano, Alayna has written several songs. She has led worship for youth and is currently the worship leader at Bethany Fellowship Church in Liberty, MO. Performing in countless recitals and productions through the years, her enjoyment of the stage has grown into teaching and directing. At present, Alayna is choreographing and music directing for SHINE of KC, where she has been employed since the fall of 2021.
Alayna Ewing
Substitute Dance Teacher
Addison is a passionate dancer, teacher, and choreographer with experience in both recital and musical theater settings. Trained in various dance styles, she has a desire to give glory to God through the arts. Addison was introduced to dance at three years old at Shari’s Dance Academy. There, she took tap and jazz and began competing. When Addison was 10, her parents wanted her to focus more on enjoying the art of dance over the competition, so they moved her to Studio 10 Dance and Cheer. There, she was introduced to, and fell in love with, ballet. She grew in her technique, explored new styles of dance, including modern, and continued her training in both tap and jazz. Addison went on to take ballet, tap, and jazz from Laura Ninneman and Alicia Ewing! She then finished out her training at Dramatic Truth Ballet School. Addison has choreographed for both the Academy of Christian Theater and SHINE of KC. She has experience teaching ballet to students of various ages and levels. She is committed to continued growth, teaching with excellence, and creating an environment where dance can be enjoyed!
Addison Stoots
Substitute Dance Teacher