About Our Studio

Shelby West has been a dancer for over 20 years, training in multiple different styles. She was a competition dancer herself, winning many prestigious titles, awards and scholarships from notable competitions, conventions, and teachers like Stacey Tookey, Caroline Lewis-Jones, Chris Jacobson, and Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo. She was a company member and is the social media director of professional dance company, Kansas City Contemporary Dance where she has performed as a chorus member and soloist while also choreographing. She is also the owner and competition director of Westside Dance Company which opened in 2017. Lastly, she was the Assistant Coach of the Indian Trail Dance Team and was the Head Dance Coach at Ottawa University where she won KCAC Coach of the Year in 2024. Shelby has worked professionally with Melissa Thodos and Laura Gates of Thodos Dance Chicago and has danced in their touring show, performed in Modern Night at the Folly, danced alongside Kansas City Aerial Arts, and was in a music video with local artist “Of Tree.” Shelby has choreographed for multiple studios in the Kansas City area and has been recognized for her work prior to opening Westside where she has continued to win choreography, technique, and entertainment awards. She has also choreographed for local high school dance teams and their soloists. Shelby graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelors in Dance, where she was a part of Unity Hip Hop Crew, Rock Chalk Revue, and the University Dance Company. She has worked under many choreographers, including but not limited to, Sonya Tayeh, Fred Odgaard, Brooke Pierotti, and Ryan Warren. Shelby has also judged for local dance competitions. Shelby has a great passion for dance and loves being at the studio every night with her students!

Kristin began her dance training at the age of three with The Royal Academy of Dance curriculum. She later studied and performed with the youth company of The Mill Ballet School under the direction of Mark and Melissa Roxey, and it was there Krsitin danced with special needs populations through the Wheels and Bodies in Motion program. Upon moving to Kansas City, Kristin danced with local youth companies before attending the University of Kansas where she graduated with degrees in Dance and Psychology. While at Ku, Kristin performed with The University Dance Company and The Bowery Dancers. She has performed pieces by local artists at the Salina River Festival and Lawrence Arts Center Choreographer’s Showcase. Kristin has completed a MA degree in School Counseling and Ed. S. degree in Mental Health Counseling. Both at UMKC. She has counseling experience in elementary, middle, high school, and alternative school settings and currently works as a high school counselor in the Blue Valley School District.

Angel Waller is a Sophomore at Texas Tech University and a second year member of the Texas Tech University Pom Squad. She is from Lawrence, KS, where she attended Lawrence Free State High School and was a 4- year member of the Free State Dance Team, serving as captain during her senior year and was also awarded UDA “Top All American.” Angel has been dancing since she was 3 years old and started competing at 5 years old with Lawrence Dance Gallery. Angel has trained in ballet, jazz, ballroom, contemporary, lyrical and hip hop, and has won several individual and group National Championships and recognitions, including earning Stage One Dance’s first-ever perfect score at Nationals in 2021 for the lyrical small group “Gravity.” Angel has worked with several nationally recognized choreographers, including Shannon Mather, Nicole Smith, Steph & Andi, Caleb Brauner, Carley Lawrence, and Haley Erbert. In addition to her accomplishments in competition dance, Angel was also selected to participate in the Velocity Dance MVA+ Program, allowing her to travel and serve as a demonstrator in convention classes across the country. She also trained with ProAction Dance in August of 2023. Her professional credits include an appearance in Miya Guggs’s music video for “Vibe,” serving as a background dancer for Todrick Hall during the Velocity Dance Nationals Gala performance in Las Vegas, and performing with Texas Tech Pom in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2023.

Alexandria Demps (Allie) is a dancer/choreographer from Kansas City, Missouri. She is currently pursuing her BFA in dance at The University of Kansas, where she is also a member of the University of Kansas Dance Company. Alexandria performs in the genres of ballet, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, and musical theatre. In addition to her dance major, Alexandria also student teaches and choreographs for dance department classes and events. l No stranger to the competition world, Alexandria wowed judges and audiences alike throughout her years of competing on both regional and national stages. She has been recognized for her powerful artistic expression, passion, and fluidity in dance and earned countless awards, titles, special judges awards, and scholarships for her contemporary & jazz solos, as well as holding multiple national improv champion titles. Alexandria is also a member of several dance companies, which she holds dear to her heart, such as KinFigure Kollective, iPush, and Troupe Dance Co. Alexandria finds joy in fostering the love of dance in performers of all ages through teaching, mentoring, choreographing and private coaching. Allie is adored by students and parents alike and is known for her infectious smile and the positive energy she brings to each and every environment.

Alycen Ellwanger has been a dancer for over 10 years. She started out at a ballet based studio where she honed in on her technique then she moved on as a founding member of the Westside Dance Company competition team. She joined Westside when they opened in 2017. Some of her favorite memories while dancing at Westside were competitions at the Music Hall, Adrenaline Conventions and Nationals in Orlando! While in high school she won many prestigious awards and scholarships like Honored Dancer at Adrenaline. Alycen was also a part of routines that received choreography and entertainment awards. Alycen has worked with many working teachers and mentors who are working in the industry like Nick Bass, Tanner Frisbey, Matt Luck, and Andie Stitt to name a few. While she was a competitive dancer she also was a member of the Saint Thomas Aquinas swim team and the dance team for three years where she served as Captain her senior year. Alycen has taught and helped kids in both swim and dance. She is currently a senior at The University of Kajnsas studying accounting. At KU she is Rock Chalk Revue director and a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Alycen is so excited to be back at Westside teaching and choreographing. She hopes her students make lasting memories at dance just like she did!