About Us
Mission Statement: To provide a place to worship and create beautiful art through dance and choreography.
Our Studio offers instructional classes in ballet, jazz, modern, pointe, tap, 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 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 4 in Excelsior Springs, Missouri at the studio of Tanya Duncan and then with Fine-Hammond Dance Studio 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. Alicia is thrilled to serve at Spirit Dance Studio.
Alayna Ewing
Substitute Dance Teacher
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 looks forward to teaching for Spirit Dance Studio.
Audey Speck
Substitute Dance Teacher
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.