Next Level Dance Studio
Katie James

Katie James

Owner & Director

  • Began dancing at the age of 2
  • Coached and choreographed for a state and nationally ranked dance team for 9 years
  • Coached numerous alumni who progressed to the collegiate and pro level
  • Choreographed a D1A collegiate team nationals routine and an NFL Junior Cheer Program halftime performance
  • Danced professionally in the Yuletide Celebration for 2 seasons
  • 3 seasons as a Colts Cheerleader, including 2 seasons as head instructor for the Junior Cheer Program
  • 2020 Teammate of the Year and currently a staff member for Colts Cheer
Morgan McLain

Morgan McLain

Instructor

  • Extensive studio training in tap, jazz, ballet and modern, beginning dance at the age of 2
  • Currently in her third season as an Indianapolis Colts Cheerleader
  • Third year Doctorate of Occupational Therapy student
  • 4-year member of the Indiana University RedStepper Dance Team, serving as captain for two seasons and earning Outstanding RedStepper of the Year her junior year
  • 3-year member of the Center Grove Varsity Dance Team, serving as captain for two seasons
Kortney Criswell

Kortney Criswell

Instructor

  • Currently in her second year as an Indiana Pacemate
  • Grew up as a competitive studio dancer trained in all styles including jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop and contemporary
  • Graduated from Ball State University, where she was a four-year member of the Ball State Code Red Dance Team
  • Choreographs for high schools and middle schools around Indiana, as well as for the Code Red Dance Team
Makenna Blacklidge

Makenna Blacklidge

Instructor

  • Began dancing at age 4
  • 9 years at Expressenz Dance Center
  • 4-year member of The Ohio State Dance Team, 6x UDA D1A National Champion
  • Current Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the University of Indianapolis
  • Competed on World of Dance Season 2
  • Competed on America's Got Talent Season 14
  • Performer in the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's Yuletide Celebration 2018
Macie Blacklidge

Macie Blacklidge

Instructor

  • Began dancing at age 4
  • Competed 11 years at Expressenz Dance Center
  • 4-year member of The Ohio State Dance Team, 7x UDA D1A National Champion
  • 2x USA Dance Team World Champion
  • Current Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the University of Indianapolis
  • Competed on World of Dance Season 2
  • Competed on America's Got Talent Season 14
  • Performer in the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's Yuletide Celebration 2019
Ali Hoover

Ali Hoover

Instructor

  • Started dancing at 2 years old
  • 4-year member and 2-year captain of Western Michigan University's Dance Team, with opportunities to choreograph for gameday and organize events
  • Awarded Most Dedicated in 2022 and named NDA All American in 2023
  • Trained competitively at a Michigan studio from age 2 through 18 in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, acro and more
  • Assistant teacher her senior year, then choreographed for competitions during college
  • Performed in "Kidz Roc" in Branson, MO
  • Cecchetti certified grades 1-4
  • Varsity cheerleader for 4 years in high school
Laura Perry

Laura Perry

Instructor

  • Started dancing at 8 years old
  • Studio trained in jazz, ballet, contemporary, lyrical and modern
  • 4-year member of the University of Kentucky Dance Team, part of the hip hop and gameday UDA nationals teams all 4 seasons
  • Current second-year veteran of the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders
  • Digital Marketing Account Manager
  • Sculpt and Flow instructor at YogaSix
Emily Rich

Emily Rich

Instructor

  • Began dancing at age 3
  • Danced in the Center Grove Dance Program for 7 years and served as captain for 5 of those years
  • 2023 Indiana High School Dance Team Association Solo State Champion
  • Graduated in the first alumni class from Next Level Dance Studio
  • Danced for the Butler University Dance Team
  • Member of the Fever Inferno Hip Hop Squad
  • Current Psychology and Kinesiology student at Butler University
Elena Eberwine

Elena Eberwine

Instructor

  • Studio trained in ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical
  • Led the Purdue University Golduster Dance Team as captain and was awarded Outstanding Member in 2022
  • Danced on the Center Grove Varsity Dance Team
  • Gained performance experience through high school cheerleading and varsity mixed show choir as dance captain
  • Attended numerous conventions and intensives across the nation throughout 20+ years of dance
  • Performed in venues worldwide including collegiate stadiums, NFL stadiums, concert halls, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indy 500, and the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland
  • Current medical student at Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Kaylee Stickels

Kaylee Stickels

Instructor

  • Started dancing at age two
  • 4-year member of the Center Grove Varsity Dance Team
  • Harding University Spring Sing director and choreographer (2022)
  • Harding University Spring Sing ensemble dancer (2023)
  • Nooma Studios (Searcy, AR) instructor for 3 years leading HIIT, yoga, weight and sculpt classes in an infrared heated studio (2022-2025)
  • Currently working as a Speech Language Pathologist
Michaela Brown

Michaela Brown

Instructor

  • Began dancing at the age of 5
  • Trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, hip hop and pom
  • Spent one year on the Indiana University Crimsonettes Dance Team
  • Choreographed and performed with Indiana University's InMotion Dance Company for two years
  • Performed on some of the biggest stages including the NBA Finals, WNBA All-Star with BIA and GloRilla, and the Indy 500 Festival
  • Currently a 3rd year veteran member of the Indiana Pacemates
Shelby Stickels

Shelby Stickels

Instructor

  • Dancing since age 2
  • Center Grove Varsity Dance Team for 2 years
  • Center Grove Varsity Show Choir for 3 years, dance captain for 2 years
  • Taylor University Poms for 2 years, captain for 1 year
  • Received a minor in dance at Taylor University
  • Currently a fifth grade teacher in Greenwood Schools
Sofia Nool

Sofia Nool

Instructor

  • Started dancing at the age of 3
  • In competitive dance for 10 years with the Relevé Dance Ensemble
  • Studio trained in ballet, tap, lyrical, contemporary and jazz
  • CLI Dance Conservatory alum (CY5)
  • Pro Reveler assistant for Revel Dance Convention Season 9
  • Trained under numerous professional dance choreographers and teachers in the industry
  • Danced in Robert Green's "FOLIE" black box film produced by CLI and Noel Bajandas Jr.'s creative film "Captured"
  • Mentored by Kenichi Kasamatsu
Ashley Mills

Ashley Mills

Instructor

  • Grew up training in a studio setting in ballet, jazz, hip hop and tap
  • Graduated from the University of Indianapolis, where she was a 3-year member of the dance team and competed at DTU Nationals
  • 2x DTU national champion in pom and team performance
  • 2 years as coach of the Center Grove Middle School Dance Team
  • Current special education teacher
Allie Davis

Allie Davis

Instructor

  • Started dancing at the age of 2
  • Danced competitively for 13 years, training in jazz, hip hop, contemporary and ballet
  • Two seasons with InMotion Dance Company at Indiana University, one as a choreographer
  • 1 season as an Indiana Pacemate
  • Finishing up her senior year at IU with a minor in dance
Katie James dancing outside the Next Level Dance Studio entrance

ABOUT NEXT LEVEL

Founded in 2024, Next Level Dance Studio may be newer to the Central Indiana dance scene, but the experience behind it is anything but. Katie grew up in a studio, competed at a high level, choreographed and coached competitive routines, and went on to perform professionally as an Indianapolis Colts Cheerleader, and more. Throughout her years as a coach and choreographer, she has helped train and prepare several dancers who have gone on to dance at the collegiate level and onto professional teams. Through nearly 25 years in the dance world, Katie built relationships with some incredibly talented dancers, coaches and educators. When it came time to build Next Level, she knew exactly who she wanted beside her. Today, our dancers train with an incredibly experienced staff whose backgrounds include professional dance teams, collegiate national championship programs, college dance teams, and more. Our instructors aren't just here to teach a class—they bring years of training, real-world experience and a genuine passion for developing the next generation of dancers. We train hard. We expect a lot. We celebrate big. We make sure our dancers love being here. From a dancer walking into their very first class to dancers preparing for collegiate and professional teams, we believe there is always another level to reach. We’re building something special in Central Indiana—and we’re only getting started. a0

This is Next Level.

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