Our Mission
Rise above, dance beyond
At Elevate Dance Academy, our mission is to cultivate both the artist and the individual, fostering growth in dancers of all ages through a variety of dance styles. We are dedicated to developing not only the physical skills necessary for a variety of dance forms but also the mental resilience and self-expression that come from mastering the art. Our commitment lies in creating a nurturing, positive, and family-friendly environment where dancers can freely express themselves, discover their unique style, and build confidence on and off the dance floor. We offer a welcoming atmosphere for dancers of all ages and strongly believe that dance is inclusive for everyone.
​
We are more than a dance studio; we are a community committed to excellence, creativity, and the continuous growth of our students as dancers and human beings. Through our dedication to this mission, we strive to inspire our students to achieve their highest potential, fostering a lifelong love for dance and a foundation for a successful future.
Instructors
Ashley Olsen
Owner
Ashley's dance journey began in Rexburg, Idaho, where she grew up and started training as a child. Throughout her teenage years, she participated in competitive teams, fostering her passion for choreography. This led her to pursue a career in dance education. Ashley earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Dance Education from Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. During her time at UVU, she danced with various groups, including Synergy Dance Company. Since 2010, Ashley has taught a diverse range of dance styles and age groups in Utah, Iowa, West Virginia, and South Dakota, such as lyrical, jazz, contemporary, ballet, hip hop, pre-school dance, and Acro dance. Her choreography for competitive groups has been recognized with numerous awards over the years.
​
Ashley is a member of the Southern Association of Dance Masters, holding certifications in ballet and jazz. Additionally, she is certified in Acro Dance through Acrobatic Arts. Recognizing the value of ongoing education and choreography training, Ashley attends conventions and teacher training nationwide to inspire and educate the next generation of dancers. She encourages her students to seek similar opportunities for growth.
​
Since living in Sioux City, Ashley has worked towards building a vibrant hip hop community by establishing Sioux Crew, a nonprofit youth hip hop performing crew, formed in 2023. She emphasizes the importance of learning various hip hop styles and culture, introducing dancers to foundational techniques. Sioux Crew enriches the community by offering workshops with diverse teachers, while enhancing dancers' performance quality and freestyle skills.
Fostering a positive, supportive, and encouraging learning environment is important to Ashley, who delights in helping dancers nurture their passion and technique in the art of dance. She is thrilled to witness her local community flourish together in the world of dance.
We are hiring!
Contact Ashley at office@elevate-dance-academy.com. Or call at 712-796-2620
Testimonials
"We are very fortunate and grateful to have Ashley as our dance instructor! She is very creative, openminded, and is the person who made Sioux Crew happen! Thanks to her, Sioux Crew is coming successfuland with no doubt it will be a place of growth and new excitements. Ashley sure makes everything lookeasy, coming up with dance routines, putting events together, and getting the dancers ready forcompetitions. We love how patient she is with the dancers and the way she pushes the dancers to theirfull potential. She never fails to make them feel confident on their goals and what they are trying toachieve. My child really enjoys having her as an instructor and being part of Sioux Crew. She’s grown to have a passion for dance thanks to Ashley!"
-Claudia Gonzalez
"Ashley helps each dancer recognize his or her unique strengths. While she encourages skill development, she also creates a learning environment that is positive and fun for all. She brings experience and patience to every class and performance."
- Emily Norby