About
Dance by Design is a recreational studio where students take classes in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, Irish, and tumbling. The studio is described as faith-based, with faith as its foundation and as a Christ-centered establishment. It is described as a warm spiritual environment where children can express themselves through dance in a fun and supportive setting.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
Dance by Design states that its mission is to see the Lord glorified through dance in the way it fashions its music, movement, and presentation. The studio is described as a recreational program focused on providing a positive environment where children can explore their gifts, build a positive self image, and freely express themselves. It is described as the perfect studio for children ages 3 to 18 who want to join a fun and supportive environment to express themselves through dance.
The leadership team includes Melissa Mahoney (Co-owner & Tap Teacher), Meryn Rathert (Co-Owner & Tap Teacher), and Kirsten Mullins (Studio Manager). Teaching staff and roles include Emily Alesia (Hip Hop, Jazz, & Technique), Gabby Brock (Lyrical & Jazz), Taylor Coryea (Student Teacher: Ballet & Irish), Jessica Morphew (Ballet, Tap, & Jazz), Carin Spalla (Ballet), and Michelle Parks (Choreography). Melissa Mahoney studied tap and jazz with local dance studios for fifteen years, was a four-year member of her schools’ drill and dance teams, and has taught tap and coached dance teams at Central Middle School and Columbus North High School. Emily was team captain of her high school dance team at Perry Meridian High School and captain of the Butler University Dance Squad. From 2004–2008, Jessica taught tap and jazz classes in Columbus, IN. Carin danced semi-professionally for the Milwaukee Mid-America Dance Company and has been teaching for 30 years. Michelle has 40+ years of combined experience as an instructor, choreographer, director, and past dance studio owner, is a graduate of UIndy, and is a registered nurse (RN).
Michelle has been involved in productions and programs at church. She has received numerous awards and accolades in her roles while being involved in studio dance, high school and college dance teams, pageants, high school musicals, coaching high school dance teams, and productions and programs at church.
Parents describe Dance by Design as having a variety of classes and caring teachers and staff, and as a faith-based dance studio where kids do not dance provocatively or wear revealing costumes. One parent describes the studio as a warm spiritual environment where a child can enjoy dancing and learn skills to be confident, with coaching staff who care for each child and help boost morale and self-esteem, and notes that the studio has been thoughtful and accommodating regarding a child’s alopecia areata. Another parent notes that the studio offers a huge variety of dance styles, including ballet, jazz, Irish, hip hop, and tumbling, and describes it as a Christ-centered establishment that nurtures a child’s spirit as well as body. Parents report looking forward to recital weekend and describe the show as telling a story and being very entertaining.
Last updated May 13, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
Dance by Design states that its mission is to see the Lord glorified through dance in the way it fashions its music, movement, and presentation. The studio is described as a recreational program focused on providing a positive environment where children can explore their gifts, build a positive self image, and freely express themselves. It is described as the perfect studio for children ages 3 to 18 who want to join a fun and supportive environment to express themselves through dance.
The leadership team includes Melissa Mahoney (Co-owner & Tap Teacher), Meryn Rathert (Co-Owner & Tap Teacher), and Kirsten Mullins (Studio Manager). Teaching staff and roles include Emily Alesia (Hip Hop, Jazz, & Technique), Gabby Brock (Lyrical & Jazz), Taylor Coryea (Student Teacher: Ballet & Irish), Jessica Morphew (Ballet, Tap, & Jazz), Carin Spalla (Ballet), and Michelle Parks (Choreography). Melissa Mahoney studied tap and jazz with local dance studios for fifteen years, was a four-year member of her schools’ drill and dance teams, and has taught tap and coached dance teams at Central Middle School and Columbus North High School. Emily was team captain of her high school dance team at Perry Meridian High School and captain of the Butler University Dance Squad. From 2004–2008, Jessica taught tap and jazz classes in Columbus, IN. Carin danced semi-professionally for the Milwaukee Mid-America Dance Company and has been teaching for 30 years. Michelle has 40+ years of combined experience as an instructor, choreographer, director, and past dance studio owner, is a graduate of UIndy, and is a registered nurse (RN).
Michelle has been involved in productions and programs at church. She has received numerous awards and accolades in her roles while being involved in studio dance, high school and college dance teams, pageants, high school musicals, coaching high school dance teams, and productions and programs at church.
Parents describe Dance by Design as having a variety of classes and caring teachers and staff, and as a faith-based dance studio where kids do not dance provocatively or wear revealing costumes. One parent describes the studio as a warm spiritual environment where a child can enjoy dancing and learn skills to be confident, with coaching staff who care for each child and help boost morale and self-esteem, and notes that the studio has been thoughtful and accommodating regarding a child’s alopecia areata. Another parent notes that the studio offers a huge variety of dance styles, including ballet, jazz, Irish, hip hop, and tumbling, and describes it as a Christ-centered establishment that nurtures a child’s spirit as well as body. Parents report looking forward to recital weekend and describe the show as telling a story and being very entertaining.
Last updated May 13, 2026.
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