DanceWorks Indy

DanceWorks Indy opened in 2019 as the first studio of its kind in Indianapolis, built around the idea that dance works for everybody and every body. The studio brings dance and fitness classes to adults of all ages and abilities in a warm, welcoming, and supportive space in downtown Indianapolis at 537 E Ohio St. Suite 100.

The studio offers an unusually wide range of styles: ballet, Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), tap, musical theatre, hip hop, contemporary and modern, jazz, heels, 305 Fitness, K-Pop, SWERK, circuit conditioning, yoga, cardio pom, and pointe. Many classes are all-levels and designed to be accessible whether you're returning to dance or discovering it for the first time. The studio runs absolute beginner workshops specifically for those brand new to dance, and offers private lessons for one-on-one feedback on technique and specific goals.

DanceWorks Indy operates as a drop-in studio with no commitment required to any session or month. You can pick and choose when you come, how often, and what classes to attend. Classes are in-person and held at the studio unless otherwise noted. The studio offers a two-hour cancellation policy: cancel two hours or more before class and receive a full refund; cancellations within two hours or no-shows result in loss of the class credit.

The instructor roster includes owner Gabby McLemore (ballet, tap, PBT), who was a founding member in 2019 and is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, along with studio manager Kali Libby (musical theatre, jazz), and specialists across all styles. Ava Bernardo brings ballet training from The School of American Ballet and New York City Ballet, and will be joining Indianapolis Ballet as a Company Artist in 2025/26. Ryan Galloway danced professionally with Giordano Dance Chicago for 9 seasons and is currently with Dance Kaleidoscope. Ryan Jaffe, also with Dance Kaleidoscope, trained at Southern Methodist University with a BFA in Dance Performance. Kenya Johnson competed at a K-Pop Choreography Competition in Korea in 2019, taking 2nd place with her crew. Margo Korn holds a BFA in Dance and BA in Health & Human Physiology from the University of Iowa and has performed with Phoenix Rising Dance Company and Pulse Dance Theater. Other instructors include Canila Carpenter (hip hop), Jeinny Burgos (heels, reggaeton), Josalynn Merritt (heels), and others. The studio emphasizes affordable pricing and a central location to make dance accessible to all.

The studio also offers studio rentals, private events, open studio sessions, gift cards, and a weekend ballet intensive.

Drop in to any class on a flexible schedule—there's no commitment required. Sign up early, as classes with two or fewer sign-ups cancel within two hours of start time. All classes are in-person at the downtown studio.

The teaching staff includes owner Gabby McLemore, a founding member certified in Progressing Ballet Technique; studio manager Kali Libby with experience as a guest teacher and choreographer; and specialists across all styles. Ava Bernardo trained at The School of American Ballet and performed with New York City Ballet; Ryan Galloway danced professionally with Giordano Dance Chicago for 9 seasons; Ryan Jaffe holds a BFA in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University; Kenya Johnson competed in a K-Pop Choreography Competition in Korea, placing 2nd; and Margo Korn holds a BFA in Dance and has performed with Phoenix Rising Dance Company.

The studio offers absolute beginner workshops for those brand new to dance, and many regular classes are all-levels with modifications offered throughout.