Dance is our expression!
Our mission is to see the Lord glorified through dance in the way we fashion our music, movement, and presentation. We are a recreational studio focused on providing a positive environment where children can explore their gifts, build a positive self image, and freely express themselves.
Faith is our foundation!
Our passion is to share our love of dance with a foundation of faith. We enjoy this time of sharing our faith and building friendships.
Life is our celebration!
Our inspiration is the opportunity we have to shine our light for Jesus in everything we do!
Let them Praise His Name with dance
Psalm 149:3
Therefore encourage one another and build
each other up
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven
Matthew 5:16
Meet Our Staff
Melissa Mahoney | Co-owner & Tap Teacher
Melissa’s love of dance began at the age of four with her performance of “Baby Take a Bow” in her first recital and grew from there. She studied tap and jazz with local dance studios over the next fifteen years, and was a four year member of her schools’ drill and dance teams. In addition to teaching tap, Melissa coached dance teams for both Central Middle School and Columbus North High School.
Melissa and her husband, Bill, have three grown children: Meryn, Patrick and Sean.
Meryn Rathert | Co-Owner & Tap Teacher
Meryn started tap dancing at age 3 & hasn’t stopped since! Born & raised in Columbus, she took tap, jazz & Irish lessons & was a member of the Pepstepper dance team at North High School. She continued tap classes while attending Ball State & has enjoyed sharing her love of dance with the students at Dance by Design for many years.
When not dancing, Meryn loves running, reading, hiking, baking, mountain biking, knitting, & during the day, helping retirees & seniors with their insurance needs. She & her husband, Jon, have 2 dogs & enjoy spending time outside on their 8 acre homestead.
Kirsten Mullins | Studio Manager
Kirsten came to be a part of Dance By Design when her daughter, Sam, began dancing with us in 2007. Her love for the studio and its mission grew from there.
Kirsten started working at Southside Elementary when Sam started kindergarten in 2006 with the Book Buddy program. Then in 2007 she became a TA for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing. She truly enjoys working with kids and seeing them grow and learn.
Kirsten is married to Tony and has three kids (Michael, Samantha and Adam).
Emily Alesia | Hip Hop, Jazz, & Technique
Emily started dancing at age 6 in Greenwood, Indiana. She took every style of dance, but her favorites were jazz and hip hop. Emily was also team captain of her high school dance team at Perry Meridian High School as well as captain of the college Butler University Dance Squad.
When not dancing, Emily enjoys working out and all things fitness. She loves to go shopping and get food and try all new restaurants. She also works as a commercial real estate agent in Columbus, Indiana where she spends most of her time.
Gabby Brock | Lyrical & Jazz
Gabby danced from ages 3-18 and is a Dance by Design alumnus. She studied ballet, tap and jazz and went en pointe at age 12. During her senior year of high school, she was a substitute teacher for jazz and ballet classes at Dance by Design. Gabby was on the dance team at Central Middle School, was a repeat dance ensemble member for musical theater and American Pie at Columbus North High School where she graduated in 2013 and is taking adult dance lessons at DanceWorks in Indianapolis. Gabby is excited to be at Dance by Design instructing ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical classes!
Taylor Coryea | Student Teacher: Ballet & Irish
My name is Miss Taylor. I am 17-years-old, and I attend Columbus East High School. I have been dancing since I was six years old, and this is my third year as a student teacher, and I am teaching Pre-Ballet, Irish and Lyrical.
I enjoy camping with friends and family and hanging out with family as much as possible. Some of my favorite things include my dogs, art, dance, chocolate, and teaching of course! I’m looking forward to this new dance season and working with your kiddos all year!
Jessica Morphew | Ballet, Tap, & Jazz
Jessica started taking tap dance classes at the age of 6. She danced locally from 1st – 12th grade. , and participated on the dance team as well as Color and Winter Guard at Columbus Norther, where part of the practice for winter guard included ballet lessons. During college she took a couple of dance classes offered by Purdue, which included participating in a student-run dance recital. From 2004 – 2008 she taught tap & jazz classes back here in Columbus, IN.
Her day job is an office manager / insurance agent at Richard Hawes Insurance, where she has worked since 2004. She lives at home with her husband, their two kids, and two dogs. Her daughter has been a dancer at Dance By Design since 2014.
Carin Spalla | Ballet
Carin started ballet at age 4 in Milwaukee, WI. In her 20’s and 30’s, she danced semi-professionally for the Milwaukee Mid-America Dance Company and has been teaching for the last 30 years. Her family, husband Greg, 3 children, and their dog, moved to Seymour, IN in 1996, and she continued teaching in Columbus, IN.
She performed in several Nutcracker productions of “Waltz of the Flowers” and Snow” and in other performances as a member of their dance company. Her day job was with Home Federal Bank in their call center and now is a full-time caretaker for her 95-year-old mother. She has one grandchild in the Fort Wayne area, and 4 grand-dogs / 2 grand-cats who live in Denver, CO and Raleigh, NC.
Michelle Parks | Choreography
Michelle is always excited to share her passion for dance. She has 40+ years combined experience as an instructor, choreographer, director, and past dance studio owner. She grew up in Columbus and was a student at a local studio for 14 years. Michelle has received numerous awards and accolades in these roles while being involved in studio dance, high school and college dance teams, pageants, high school musicals, coaching high school dance teams, and productions and programs at church.
Michelle graduated from UIndy and is a registered nurse (RN). She left her 20-year nursing practice to dedicate time to dance students and youth ministry. Michelle and her husband Patrick have three adult children and live in Shelbyville. She says, “I look forward to many more years of dance to continue to build confidence in students and form lifetime friendships!”