About
Dance by Design offers recreational dance classes that include tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, Irish, and tumbling. The studio is described as faith-based and Christ centered, with faith as its foundation and an emphasis that kids do not dance provocatively or wear revealing costumes. It is described as the perfect studio for children who want to join a fun and supportive environment to express themselves through dance.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
Dance by Design is described as a recreational studio focused on providing a positive environment where children can explore their gifts, build a positive self image, and freely express themselves. Its stated mission is to see the Lord glorified through dance in the way it fashions its music, movement, and presentation, and its inspiration is described as the opportunity to shine its light for Jesus in everything it does.
The leadership team includes Melissa Mahoney as Co-owner and Tap Teacher, Meryn Rathert as Co-owner and Tap Teacher, Kirsten Mullins as Studio Manager, and Michelle Parks in Choreography. Melissa Mahoney studied tap and jazz with local dance studios over fifteen years, was a four-year member of her schools’ drill and dance teams, and coached dance teams for Central Middle School and Columbus North High School. Meryn Rathert took tap, jazz, and Irish lessons, was a member of the Pepstepper dance team at North High School, and continued tap classes while attending Ball State. Emily started dancing at age 6 in Greenwood, Indiana, took every style of dance with favorites in jazz and hip hop, and was team captain of her high school dance team at Perry Meridian High School and captain of the Butler University Dance Squad. Gabby danced from ages 3–18, studied ballet, tap, and jazz, went en pointe at age 12, was a substitute teacher for jazz and ballet classes at Dance by Design during her senior year of high school, was on the dance team at Central Middle School, was a repeat dance ensemble member for musical theater and American Pie at Columbus North High School, and is taking adult dance lessons at DanceWorks in Indianapolis. Taylor has been dancing since she was six years old and is in her third year as a student teacher. Jessica started taking tap dance classes at age 6, danced locally from 1st–12th grade, participated on the dance team as well as Color and Winter Guard at Columbus North, took dance classes at Purdue including participation in a student-run dance recital, and from 2004–2008 taught tap and jazz classes in Columbus, Indiana. Carin started ballet at age 4 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, danced semi-professionally for the Milwaukee Mid-America Dance Company in her 20s and 30s, has been teaching for 30 years, and performed in several Nutcracker productions of “Waltz of the Flowers” and “Snow” and in other performances as a member of their dance company. Michelle has 40+ years of combined experience as an instructor, choreographer, director, and past dance studio owner, grew up in Columbus and was a student at a local studio for 14 years, has been 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, graduated from UIndy, is a registered nurse, and left a 20-year nursing practice to dedicate time to dance students and youth ministry. Michelle has received numerous awards and accolades in her roles while being involved in these dance and performance activities.
Parent testimonials describe Dance by Design as having a variety of classes and caring teachers and staff, and as a faith-based, Christ centered studio where kids do not dance provocatively or wear revealing costumes and where recitals tell a story and are very entertaining. One parent describes the studio as a warm spiritual environment where coaching staff care for each child, boost morale, and are kind, helpful, and supportive, and notes that the studio has been thoughtful and accommodating regarding her daughter’s alopecia areata. Another parent notes that her child has taken ballet, jazz, Irish, and tumbling there, with plans to add hip hop, and describes the staff as exceptional, kind, and warm.
Last updated May 14, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
Dance by Design is described as a recreational studio focused on providing a positive environment where children can explore their gifts, build a positive self image, and freely express themselves. Its stated mission is to see the Lord glorified through dance in the way it fashions its music, movement, and presentation, and its inspiration is described as the opportunity to shine its light for Jesus in everything it does.
The leadership team includes Melissa Mahoney as Co-owner and Tap Teacher, Meryn Rathert as Co-owner and Tap Teacher, Kirsten Mullins as Studio Manager, and Michelle Parks in Choreography. Melissa Mahoney studied tap and jazz with local dance studios over fifteen years, was a four-year member of her schools’ drill and dance teams, and coached dance teams for Central Middle School and Columbus North High School. Meryn Rathert took tap, jazz, and Irish lessons, was a member of the Pepstepper dance team at North High School, and continued tap classes while attending Ball State. Emily started dancing at age 6 in Greenwood, Indiana, took every style of dance with favorites in jazz and hip hop, and was team captain of her high school dance team at Perry Meridian High School and captain of the Butler University Dance Squad. Gabby danced from ages 3–18, studied ballet, tap, and jazz, went en pointe at age 12, was a substitute teacher for jazz and ballet classes at Dance by Design during her senior year of high school, was on the dance team at Central Middle School, was a repeat dance ensemble member for musical theater and American Pie at Columbus North High School, and is taking adult dance lessons at DanceWorks in Indianapolis. Taylor has been dancing since she was six years old and is in her third year as a student teacher. Jessica started taking tap dance classes at age 6, danced locally from 1st–12th grade, participated on the dance team as well as Color and Winter Guard at Columbus North, took dance classes at Purdue including participation in a student-run dance recital, and from 2004–2008 taught tap and jazz classes in Columbus, Indiana. Carin started ballet at age 4 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, danced semi-professionally for the Milwaukee Mid-America Dance Company in her 20s and 30s, has been teaching for 30 years, and performed in several Nutcracker productions of “Waltz of the Flowers” and “Snow” and in other performances as a member of their dance company. Michelle has 40+ years of combined experience as an instructor, choreographer, director, and past dance studio owner, grew up in Columbus and was a student at a local studio for 14 years, has been 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, graduated from UIndy, is a registered nurse, and left a 20-year nursing practice to dedicate time to dance students and youth ministry. Michelle has received numerous awards and accolades in her roles while being involved in these dance and performance activities.
Parent testimonials describe Dance by Design as having a variety of classes and caring teachers and staff, and as a faith-based, Christ centered studio where kids do not dance provocatively or wear revealing costumes and where recitals tell a story and are very entertaining. One parent describes the studio as a warm spiritual environment where coaching staff care for each child, boost morale, and are kind, helpful, and supportive, and notes that the studio has been thoughtful and accommodating regarding her daughter’s alopecia areata. Another parent notes that her child has taken ballet, jazz, Irish, and tumbling there, with plans to add hip hop, and describes the staff as exceptional, kind, and warm.
Last updated May 14, 2026.
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