Jessie Jewell
Co-Owner/Director
Jessie began dancing under Krisa at 7 years old. She went on to be on the competitive team at Kearney School of Dance and Smitty's Performing Arts Center. She continued her dance education in college at Oklahoma City University and in 2019, graduated from University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance and choreography, as well as her 300hr Yoga Teacher Certification. During her time in the program, she studied ballet and contemporary techniques under Charlotte Adams, Eloy Barragán, and George de la Peña, while performing for Melinda Jean Myers and Michael Sakamoto.
She moved to Kearney after college to take the position of Co-director at KSD where she gained teaching experience and continued choreographing pieces for the competitive team. She is now continuing her education through the National Academy of Sports Medicine to pursue her interest in anatomy and exercise science. She aims to use this education to encourage strength in the dancers she works with.
Jessie feels her purpose is to help dancers become confident in their bodies through the rigorous practice of dance.
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Krisa Smith
Co-Owner/Director
At age 3, Krisa began her lifelong passion of dance at Kearney School of Dance and Gymnastics. She graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance where she was also a member of the University of Nebraska Spirit Squad from 1994-1996.
After graduating from UNL, Krisa returned to Kearney to pursue her biggest passion: teaching. She took over as Director of Dance at Kearney School of Dance teaching students ages 2 to adult. Krisa also directed the competitive dance teams for elementary-high school age students. Her team went on to win Best Precision and Overall High Score at Nationals in Las Vegas, 2010 Hall of Fame National League Studio Champion. as well as numerous Top Score Awards, First Place Overalls and have qualified for Nationals every year.
Krisa has a combined 28 years of teaching experience and is grateful to continue instilling her love of dance into every student she meets.