Company Owner

Ashley has resided in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan for 14 years. She attended Lake Superior State University, where she received a Bachelors Degree in Law Enforcement. After college, Ashley worked as a social worker in the fields of child abuse and neglect and substance abuse recovery. Later, she continued her career as an Administrator and Executive Consultant in federally accrediting Home Health agencies.  ASAO is now her full time occupation! When not in the dance room, she is working on staff organization and training, billing, curriculum development, choreography, event coordination, customer relations, community outreach, media design, and studio building management. 

 Ashley has taken recreational dance classes for 27 years, most from mentors Dede DeCamp, Lindsay DeCamp, Sandra Brewer, Melanie Eashoo, Kara Hajak-Meier, and Heather Coleman. Her training is largely in Ceccetti technique, with additional training and certification from Marie Walton-Mahon's Progressing Ballet Technique and CLI Studios Studio Partnership Program. She danced competitively for 10 years, attended 4 years of UDA camp and various dance conventions, as well as performed en pointe for 6 years. 

Ashley believes in using classical teaching methods, with heavy emphasis on safe body mechanics and dance theory. She is currently studying pedagogy and technical skill acquisition through the National Dance Education Organization's Online Professional Development Institute as well as the International Dance Teaching Standards Certification Program.  

Ashley's passion for teaching has led to extensive curriculum development, community education, and expansive opportunities for area dancers. Ashley currently teaches 22 weekly classes, a variety of private lessons, and special event classes for community groups.