StudioINC Dance Academy

StudioINC Dance Academy serves Spokane dancers of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels. The studio offers classes in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical and Zumba, from beginning through advanced levels. Current adult classes cover Jazz, Lyrical, Tap and Ballet, alongside a specialised program called Dance/Body by Molly designed for dancers preparing for professional auditions—whether for pro cheer/dance teams, collegiate cheer, or high-level training. That class blends strength and stretch work with high-intensity conditioning and pro-style choreography to sharpen performance quality, stamina and showmanship.

The studio runs a competition team called Team Prodigy, which holds auditions for all levels and ages. Auditions are held in mid-June each year. Summer classes run from July 6th through the end of the month. Wednesday hours are 1:00pm–8:30pm and Thursday and Friday are also 1:00pm–8:30pm during audition periods. Dance/Body by Molly classes are held Wednesday evenings 8:45–9:45pm and Saturday afternoons 4:00–5:00pm.

Parents are encouraged to watch all classes through studio viewing windows. The studio has a detailed dress code for each style (ballet students wear colour-coded leotards and pink tights by level; tap students wear pink ballet shoes and black tap shoes; hip-hop allows baggy clothes). Street shoes are not permitted on the dance floors. A $50 registration fee per dancer (or $65 per family) is required once per year.

The teaching team includes specialists across multiple styles. Michael Anderson teaches tap and previously owned and operated the Anderson School of Dance in Walla Walla, which was voted Best Dance Studio in Walla Walla in 2014. Paul Grover, also a tap instructor, has performed at Opryland USA, Tokyo Disney and Disney World, worked with Gregory Hines and other notable artists, and earned top scores for his tap choreography in competitions worldwide. Jessica Cochran teaches Ballet, Pointe, Modern and Jazz, having trained at Company Ballet School and danced with the State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara for seven years in their Nutcracker touring production. Pam Erickson teaches Ballet and Pointe, trained with Santa Barbara Ballet Company, performed professionally with the San Francisco Dance Theatre and Chamber Dance Ballet Company, and is an adjunct faculty member at both Gonzaga and Whitworth Universities. Cassie Selle teaches Jazz, Lyrical and Progressions, graduated in 2019 as one of the first two dance majors in Gonzaga University history, and has choreographed competition pieces and coached high school dance teams. Natalie Bentler is a Gonzaga University student majoring in Business Administration with a dance minor and is president of Dance Club. Olivia Kraack trained in all styles including jazz, lyrical, musical theater, contemporary, ballet, hip hop and acro, competed regionally and studied at the CLI Conservatory before joining the studio.

Classes run Wednesday through Friday, 1:00pm–8:30pm during audition periods. Parents are welcome to watch through studio viewing windows. Arrive on time or early, dress in appropriate dancewear for your style, and expect a professional atmosphere with clear expectations around focus, respect and proper technique.

The teaching team includes Michael Anderson (tap, formerly owned Best Dance Studio in Walla Walla 2014), Paul Grover (tap, performed at Opryland USA, Tokyo Disney and Disney World, trained by Gregory Hines and Maurice Hines), Jessica Cochran (Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Jazz; danced with State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara), Pam Erickson (Ballet and Pointe; adjunct faculty at Gonzaga and Whitworth Universities), Cassie Selle (Jazz, Lyrical, Progressions; Gonzaga dance major graduate 2019), Natalie Bentler (Gonzaga University student, Business Administration major with dance minor), and Olivia Kraack (trained in all styles, CLI Conservatory graduate).