Instructors
"Success is not a destination, but the road that you are on. Being successful means that you are working hard, and walking your walk everyday. You can live your dream by working hard towards it. That's living my dream." -Marlon Wayans
Director, Ballet, Hip Hop, Modern, Lyrical
Hello my name is Amy Merrill.
I am the founder and director of Inspired Dance. I have lived in Meridian for 13 years. I am married to a wonderful husband who supports me and helps me in more ways to one. Together we have four precious daughters. In 2002, I graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo, where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Education along with a secondary education teaching degree. I am also certified as a Barre Biz instructor, which incorporates ballet and fitness training for adults. Besides my family, my other two great loves, are: teaching and dancing. I love working with children, teens, and adults. They are rewarding to me in different ways. I have experience in Ballet, Modern, Children's Creative Dance, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Cheerleading, & Fitness.
After teaching at different studios, I decided to find
a way to teach on my own. In 2010 I discovered Meridian Parks and Recreation. Since my degree in Dance Education largely focused on integrating dance into the schools, my natural reaction was to see if I could use a local school for space. Thanks to Ponderosa Elementary, I was able to form a partnership with them and Meridian Parks and Recreation.
My goal is to build a quality dance program that upholds Christian values of modesty, good character, and integrity. My Faith in God is what keeps me grounded and is what motivates me to want to share my love for dance in a way that is pleasing to Our Heavenly Father. I pray for His Guidance, as I seek to build the kind of dance program He would have me build.
My main purpose in building this program is to show families that dance can be Wholesome, Modest and Fun. I desire to establish a Dance program that enlarges the soul by edifying, inspiring, and training the body, mind, and spirit. I look for ways to make my program sensible, non-competitive, and different from the rest of the dance world. I want our students to feel successful, loved, and a part of something special. If our classes help improve your child's self- image, quality of life, and/or physical abilities...then we have succeeded, however long or short you are with us!
I am the founder and director of Inspired Dance. I have lived in Meridian for 13 years. I am married to a wonderful husband who supports me and helps me in more ways to one. Together we have four precious daughters. In 2002, I graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo, where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Education along with a secondary education teaching degree. I am also certified as a Barre Biz instructor, which incorporates ballet and fitness training for adults. Besides my family, my other two great loves, are: teaching and dancing. I love working with children, teens, and adults. They are rewarding to me in different ways. I have experience in Ballet, Modern, Children's Creative Dance, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Cheerleading, & Fitness.
After teaching at different studios, I decided to find
a way to teach on my own. In 2010 I discovered Meridian Parks and Recreation. Since my degree in Dance Education largely focused on integrating dance into the schools, my natural reaction was to see if I could use a local school for space. Thanks to Ponderosa Elementary, I was able to form a partnership with them and Meridian Parks and Recreation.
My goal is to build a quality dance program that upholds Christian values of modesty, good character, and integrity. My Faith in God is what keeps me grounded and is what motivates me to want to share my love for dance in a way that is pleasing to Our Heavenly Father. I pray for His Guidance, as I seek to build the kind of dance program He would have me build.
My main purpose in building this program is to show families that dance can be Wholesome, Modest and Fun. I desire to establish a Dance program that enlarges the soul by edifying, inspiring, and training the body, mind, and spirit. I look for ways to make my program sensible, non-competitive, and different from the rest of the dance world. I want our students to feel successful, loved, and a part of something special. If our classes help improve your child's self- image, quality of life, and/or physical abilities...then we have succeeded, however long or short you are with us!
Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical
Hello, I am Kristen Jones.
I'm 24 years old. I have been married for almost 5 years to my wonderful husband Josh. I have danced since I was 3 years old taking classes ranging from ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and lyrical. I have always wanted to be a dance teacher, and am so glad that I have gotten to take this opportunity to teach with Amy. This is like a dream job for me. I am so excited to see your girls grow and learn new things. If you ever have any questions about me or for me, please don't hesitate to ask.
Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical Modern, Hip Hop
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Hello, I am Lena Hauser.
I have a diverse background in dance and performance. I have been singing, acting, and dancing my way through life since age five. I started with Ballet and Jazz over twenty years ago and added Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Modern to my repertoire as the years went on. My past experiences include choreography for an Indi film, managing the youth ballet program at an Oregon dance academy and putting together award winning dance team choreography and performances with Eugene Ballet Company. I have a passion for teaching children. I am excited to share the positive impact of dance with others and am grateful to be teaching with Inspired Dance as they strive to use dance in positive ways. I have two children and am married to a wonderful husband who supports me in my endeavors. |
Ballet
Hello, my name is Sarah Richardson.
I am excited to join Inspired Dance! I started dancing at the age of 5 with Footlight Dance in Hailey ID, focusing on ballet, but incorporating various styles through my high school career. After 15 years of dancing I made it a goal to always have dance in my life and teaching is one of the ways I have been able to do that. I have been teaching for 5 years and enjoy working with ages 3-12. I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my love of dance to the classroom where I get to teach children starting out on their journey with dance.
Outside of dance....I have been married to my wonderful husband for 14 years. We have three active boys, whom I stay home with. They keep me very busy.
I am excited to join Inspired Dance! I started dancing at the age of 5 with Footlight Dance in Hailey ID, focusing on ballet, but incorporating various styles through my high school career. After 15 years of dancing I made it a goal to always have dance in my life and teaching is one of the ways I have been able to do that. I have been teaching for 5 years and enjoy working with ages 3-12. I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my love of dance to the classroom where I get to teach children starting out on their journey with dance.
Outside of dance....I have been married to my wonderful husband for 14 years. We have three active boys, whom I stay home with. They keep me very busy.
Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Ballet
Hello, I am Baylee Shurte!
I was born and raised in Boise, Idaho and have been dancing since the age of 3. I have trained in ballet, hip-hop, and contemporary, but my passion is in Jazz. I started out at Dance Unlimited dancing for their competition team and training hard to grow as a dancer. As I got older I danced for Mountain Views Millennium dance team and went on to dance for the Idaho Stampede professional dance team for two years.
I enjoy teaching the most because I get the opportunity to impact each dancer in some way and watch them grow into beautiful young dancers.
Outside of the dance studio, I am soon to become Mrs. Johnson to my high school sweetheart. We are blessed with our little boy, Bentley, that is now three years old and a beautiful baby girl!
I also enjoy things like boating, fishing, and being outdoors, but my heart forever belongs inside the walls of a dance studio.
I'm so excited to be a part of Inspired Dance!
I was born and raised in Boise, Idaho and have been dancing since the age of 3. I have trained in ballet, hip-hop, and contemporary, but my passion is in Jazz. I started out at Dance Unlimited dancing for their competition team and training hard to grow as a dancer. As I got older I danced for Mountain Views Millennium dance team and went on to dance for the Idaho Stampede professional dance team for two years.
I enjoy teaching the most because I get the opportunity to impact each dancer in some way and watch them grow into beautiful young dancers.
Outside of the dance studio, I am soon to become Mrs. Johnson to my high school sweetheart. We are blessed with our little boy, Bentley, that is now three years old and a beautiful baby girl!
I also enjoy things like boating, fishing, and being outdoors, but my heart forever belongs inside the walls of a dance studio.
I'm so excited to be a part of Inspired Dance!
Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary
Hello, My Name is Hannah Gibbs.
I started dance at the age of 2. I have had many opportunities to further my career. I started at a local dance company in Nampa Idaho where I was trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Tap. At the age of 13 I started dancing for my studio's competitive team until the end of High School. During High School I danced for Skyview's Varsity Dance Team in Nampa, Idaho and was a 5 time state champion. I also placed in the top ten for solo competitions. After graduating, I continued at the College of Southern Idaho as a Golden Eagle dancer in Twin Falls. As a Golden Eagle dancer, I was able to dance in Las Vegas for the USDA and perform at the collegiate level.
I have returned to the Boise area to continue pursuing a career in pediatric nursing and to share my passion for dance through teaching.
I am blessed and excited to be a part of Inspired Dance Company, and to have the opportunity to teach future dancers.
I started dance at the age of 2. I have had many opportunities to further my career. I started at a local dance company in Nampa Idaho where I was trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Tap. At the age of 13 I started dancing for my studio's competitive team until the end of High School. During High School I danced for Skyview's Varsity Dance Team in Nampa, Idaho and was a 5 time state champion. I also placed in the top ten for solo competitions. After graduating, I continued at the College of Southern Idaho as a Golden Eagle dancer in Twin Falls. As a Golden Eagle dancer, I was able to dance in Las Vegas for the USDA and perform at the collegiate level.
I have returned to the Boise area to continue pursuing a career in pediatric nursing and to share my passion for dance through teaching.
I am blessed and excited to be a part of Inspired Dance Company, and to have the opportunity to teach future dancers.
Substitute Teacher
Hello, I am Whitney Jensen.
I was born and raised in Boise, Idaho attending Centennial High School. I participated in Centennial’s Sweet Liberty Dance Team for 3 years. My talented team won State and National competitions every year from 2005-2008. After graduating high school, I attended Brigham Young University-Idaho studying Sociology with a minor in Dance. I taught hip-hop classes on the university’s campus for a couple years and participated in different contemporary and jazz performing groups. I am number 4 of 5 kids in my family. I have been dancing since I was 6 years old, attending a couple different studios in the Treasure Valley. I’ve been trained in various styles of dance ranging from ballet to hip-hop. Dance has always been a big part of my life. There is nothing more I would love to do, than share my passion with others. I can’t wait to learn from my students,
just as they learn from me!
I was born and raised in Boise, Idaho attending Centennial High School. I participated in Centennial’s Sweet Liberty Dance Team for 3 years. My talented team won State and National competitions every year from 2005-2008. After graduating high school, I attended Brigham Young University-Idaho studying Sociology with a minor in Dance. I taught hip-hop classes on the university’s campus for a couple years and participated in different contemporary and jazz performing groups. I am number 4 of 5 kids in my family. I have been dancing since I was 6 years old, attending a couple different studios in the Treasure Valley. I’ve been trained in various styles of dance ranging from ballet to hip-hop. Dance has always been a big part of my life. There is nothing more I would love to do, than share my passion with others. I can’t wait to learn from my students,
just as they learn from me!