Look outside yourself, Learn what beauty is.
Look inside yourself, (Concentrate!) Find your beauty, Express it in motion,
And love what you find: You and the Art of the Dance.
While I love to develop talent, my studio isn't about pressure...It's about work, fun, and confidence
Liz Kelley started dancing at the age of 3 in Kansas City, and went on to dance with Gene Kelly in Hollywood. At the age of 7, her professional career began. Before she was 17, she had worked with Ethel Merman, Carol Channing, Dom DeLouise, John Davidson, Charlton Heston, and Arthur Godfrey.
The youngest member of the Corps De Ballet at Starlight Theatre, she received a scholarship to the Harkness Ballet Company in New York City. Liz devoted herself to ballet, jazz, and modern dance with Harding Dorn and Tatiana Dokoudovska at U.M.K.C., and studied tap with Jimmy Defore.
At age 17, she moved West and realized her dream: she performed three solos with her idol, Gene Kelly, in his Las Vegas show. This caught the eye of the producer of the Dean Martin Show, who hired her for his singing and dancing entourage, the Golddiggers. Besides performing on his show, the group toured the world and had their own television series. Miss Kelley worked with Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Charles Nelson Riley, Goldie Hawn, Vincent Price, Jimmy Stewart, TinaTurner, Sonny and Cher, Barbara Streisand, Ernest Borgnine, Jimmy Durante and other stars.
Entertaining the troops with Bob Hope in Vietnam at Haunakah and Christmastime, 1970, was a deeply moving experience for Liz: Hollywood is not reality...it's good insofar as it's for others.
While touring and performing, she trained under several teachers in the U.S. and Europe: among those renowned choreographers were Tommy Tune, Jo Jo Smith, Jamie Rogers, Ed Kerrigan, Jonathan Lucas, Joe Tremaine and Mia Michaels. She started her own teaching career in Los Angeles in 1974 and, four years later, returned to Kansas City to teach at the Westport Ballet Company, American Dance Center and the Jewish Community Center.
In 1984, Mz. Liz opened Dance Studio 1 - Liz Kelley, a home to thousands of young women...those who aspire to a career, and those who want to be part of the family of dance.
Mz. Liz
Jill Trozzolo has been tapping her toes since she was born. When Liz Kelley opened Dance Studio-1 in 1984, Jill was one of Liz'’s first students.
It’s been more than 20 years since she started dancing with Liz Kelley, and she loves it as much as she did the first day she put on her dance shoes. Jill studied tap, jazz and ballet through high school. After graduating from St. Teresa’s Academy, Jill attended Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where she was a Benedictine Ravens dance team member.
She began assisting Liz in 1995, and became a teacher-choreographer in 2000. Jill has had the privilege to study under many professional, world famous dancers including Joe Tremaine, Mia Michaels, Dan Karaty and Doug Caldwell.
Jill lives in the Waldo area, and when she not dancing she is busy working for a local integrated marketing communications agency.
Jill Trozzolo
Gaby Munoz-Lucas was born and raised in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico. She later traveled to Wichita to pursue her degree in Theatre and Dance at Wichita State University. While at WSU, Gaby was given the opportunity to perform and choreograph for different dance companies across the country including MADN and ACDF. The “American Dance Festival” honored Miss Gaby with the “Excellence in Choreography Award” by the Theatre Department for her choreography in the musical “Personals”.
Miss Gaby moved to Kansas City in 1999, and since then has performed with City in Motion Dance Theatre, AHA Dance Theatre and Young Audiences. She has also performed at Theatre for Young America, Coterie Theatre, Chameleon Theatre and Missouri Repertory Theatre. Gaby is a fulltime mom to two-year-old Anna Maria and the current resident choreographer for “The Best Network” and “The Jellybean Conspiracy Project”. This company travels to high schools in the bi-state area of Kansas and Missouri, to offer a message of kindness and respect to all children with and without disabilities.
Gaby Lucas
Whitney Klug started taking dance class at the age of 4, and became a member of the Dance Studio 1 family in 1988. Miss Whitney began assisting Mz. Liz’s dance classes in 1999, and was captain of the Synergy Dance Company in 2001 and 2002. After graduating from Shawnee Mission East, she continued dancing, assisting and teaching at Dance Studio 1 for another year in preparation for her audition for the dance program at Oklahoma City University.
Whitney was a Dance Performance major at Oklahoma City University, where she studied under the direction of Jo Rowan and Robert Reed. She was a member of the American Spirit Dance Company, and performed at various locations throughout the city. She has attended numerous dance conventions, and has spent the summer taking classes from renowned choreographers at the Edge Studio in Los Angeles, California.
She went on to graduate from The University of Kansas Medical Center with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Information Management. When she’s not dancing she is working to further her career at Lockton Companies, LLC, in the Health and Welfare Practice.
Whitney Klug
Cyndi James grew up in Washington, DC where she started taking classical ballet classes at the Washington School of Ballet at age 7. She continued pursuing ballet seriously throughouther school years and graduated from the Academy of the Washington Ballet. During this time she had the privilege of dancing with companies such as the NYC Ballet and the American Ballet Theater at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
After graduating, Cyndi attended The Boston Conservatory of Music, where she continued studying dance, but also found a love of acting and musical theatre. She eventually moved to New York City where she apprenticed with the Joffrey II Ballet and made a living doing TV commercials and children’s theatre!
Cyndi has lived somewhat a gypsy life and has lived in Australia, France, Southern California and Colorado. She has worked in fitness and nutrition and is now a nutritional consultant and “Mom on a mission” helping families understand the importance of good nutrition and helping families to get healthier. She is happily settled in Overland Park with husband, Paul and two active boys ages 11 and 14.
She is so excited to, once again, be involved in the dance world and to make a return to her true passion, teaching ballet!
Cyndi James
Jessie began dancing at Dance Studio 1 in 1992, and continued through her senior year in high school when she graduated from Blue Valley North in 2006. She could not give up those dancing shoes and continued dancing at the University of Kansas where she received her Minor in Dance. Jessie also had the honor and privilege of representing Kansas City and the NFL as a Kansas City Chief’s Cheerleader for the 2008-2009 season. She was also an Ambassador for the Chief’s Cheerleaders and dealt with Public Relations. Jessie was also a Big Sis to the Junior Chiefs Cheerleaders and loved every second of it. She had the time of her life and could not have done it if it wasn’t for Liz Kelley and the Dance Studio 1 Staff!
Jessie began assisting Liz in 2008. She is currently teaching hip hop, contemporary and lyrical and assisting in tap and jazz. She hopes the girls are having as much fun as she is and thanks the parents for letting her teach their children! Jessie is continuing her education and looking forward to beginning school in January 2010, at Research College of Nursing.
Jessie Gilday
Coming Soon!
OUR CLASSES:
Classes are broken down into three sections. Before we dance, we warm up our bodies in every subject. We target all the muscle groups to stretch and strengthen and to improve body tone, posture, balance, flexibility and stamina. Center work consists of improving balance and coordination. The Movement section of class teaches young dancers to think about how they use their bodies in relation to space. We introduce our students to a wide variety of music and only use music and dance moves that are age appropriate.
THE STRUCTURE:
Most often students are placed within their age groups. We teach children ages 2 ½ through 18. We offer classes from beginning to advanced levels and classes for recreation or career-orientated levels. All classes have two to three Instructors.
TIME COMMITMENT:
The time commitment is for the student and parent to decide. A student may take anywhere from one hour per week to eight hours per week. Payments are on a monthly basis.
WHAT WE TEACH:
We teach the art of JAZZ, LYRICAL JAZZ, TAP, BALLET, POINTE, and MODERN focusing on strong technique and lots of fun. Our basic goals are to develop self-esteem, discipline, body and spatial awareness, and a sense of community. We aspire to ignite the student’s personality to enhance their stage presence.
JAZZ:
Jazz dancing stems from Ballet but performed energetically using different parts of the body in isolated movement. This style emphasizes the student’s personal expression.
LYRICAL JAZZ:
Lyrical is a combination of ballet and jazz techniques performed in an interpretive style.
TAP:
We teach many different styles of tap. We turn our feet into musical instruments to portray the different styles. The Broadway or Musical Theatre style consists of old school tap like you would see in a Broadway Production. Rhythm Tap is working with and without music on different rhythm patterns and syncopation. Funk Tap is close to the floor combining steps to popular music. Jazz-Tap is a very current form of tap combining jazz and tap techniques.
BALLET:
Ballet is a formal art using set movements that are characterized by elegance and grace. Class begins with a warm-up at the barre or center floor. This warm-up imparts leanness and flexibility while working on body alignment, balance and coordination.
POINTE:
Pointe work is ballet in special shoes that provide foot support. This technique requires knowledge, skill and strength. Pointe will only be taught to those students who are old enough to ensure that their feet have developed sufficiently, and those who demonstrate strength.
MODERN:
Modern dance also stems from Ballet using natural moves rather than the traditional structured movements of Ballet. It is designed to capture the rhythm of human emotion.
Phone: 816.941.3990
1166 West 103rd Street
Kansas City, MO 64114
E-Mail
Calendar 2012
March 12-18 Spring Break
March 19 Classes Resume
April 7-8 Easter Break
April 9 – Classes Resume
April 16 – Father/Daughter Rehearsals Begin. CLICK REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
April 29 Finale Production Rehearsal, 1-5pm
May 4 – No Ballet Classes – Picture Set Up
May 5 -10 – Picture Week
May 12-19 View Picture Proofs
May 12 Finale-Production Rehearsal (Studio) 2-5 PM
May 19 – Finale-Production Rehearsal (Studio) 2-5 PM
May 20 Finale-Production Rehearsal (Studio) 1-4 PM
May 26-28 Closed Memorial Day Weekend
May 29 - Classes Resume
June 2 – Finale – Production Rehearsal (Studio) 2 – 5 PM
June 3 Father Daughter Run Through 1-2 PM (See Schedule to follow for details)
June 7 Dress Rehearsal 6:00 PM Center High School
June 8-9. - SHOWTIME 7:00 PM Center High School
June 10-24 Summer Break
June 25– August 9 Six Week Summer Session Begins
August 11- – 26– Closed
August 27 – 2012 Fall Classes Begin
Click the links below for more information on Rehearsals and Schedules
pictures 1.pdf
father daughter 12-1.pdf
pictures checklist.pdf
father daughter 12-2.pdf
pictures schedule.pdf
finale.pdf
Enroll for
Classes Now!
816-941-3990
St. Patricks Day.doc
Legal Notice:
Even though the title of this page is "Daily News," you should not assume that news will actually be placed here daily...There will be news placed here when Mz. Liz gets around to it.
Click here for our Photo Gallery
Here are some clients Dance Studio 1 - Liz Kelley trusts and believes can meet your needs. Give them a call today, and make sure you tell 'em Mz. Liz sent you!
From Fiddlin' in the Rain to Fiddler on the Roof, Kansas City Costume has it all! Whether you're looking for a costume to wear to the next office party, or you have a major production that needs stage costumes designed and produced by the best in the Midwest, Kansas City Costume is the ONLY choice! Check out their website, or give them a visit today, and let them wow you with their expertise and abilities!
Kansas City Costume Company, Inc. - (816) 221-8600 - KC, MO
Peppes Dental continues to be one of the premier providers of cosmetic and general dentistry in the Johnson County and Greater Kansas City areas since Dr. Peppes opened his practice in 1983. Peppes Dental focuses on preventative, restorative and cosmetic dentistry. They are committed to excellence in an environment of trust, sensitivity and understanding. They pride themselves in the ability to meet your unspoken needs and concerns regarding your comfort and well being. Peppes Dental gives each patient individual attention and uncompromising care. You will be surrounded by an environment of honesty and professionalism where our patients feel comfortable, cared for and welcome.
The Peppes Dental Group - (913) 642-3939 - Leawood, KS
Visit Summers Photography for the absolute best in Portraits, Seniors, Children, Babies, Copy & Restoration, Commercial, B&W Head Shots, Modeling Composites, Products. They are a full service Studio, with Framing & Matting available. Dance Studio 1 only utilizes the best in any industry, and Summers Photography is no exception.
Summers Photography, Inc. - (913) 631-6113 - Shawnee, KS
Cinematic Visions is your one-stop shop for Video, Audio and Media Production in the greater Kansas City area. They like to say, "If it can be filmed, edited or preserved - we can help!"
They combine unparalleled customer service, creativity, and flexibility with the latest technologies to ensure that your experience with them will meet your expectations.
And...If you like our website, give them a call...They built it for us!
Cinematic Visions - Where Dreams Become Movies - (816) 600-6300
The World - Famous Rockettes honored Dance Studio 1 to a once in a lifetime lesson.
The kids had the opportunity to take class from 4 of the Rockettes and got to take part in a question answer session. They were so excited and learned so much from the beautiful and talented Rockettes.
We are very grateful they came. What an exciting day!
"Just for a moment, set aside her unbelievable background and experience. What you get with Liz Kelley is just a real decent and good person. She truly cares about those that she comes in touch with, and she is the utmost as a professional. Liz and her staff produce one of the best and most entertaining recitals we've ever seen, and they are simply a joy to work with and for. Sometimes the word "great" gets thrown around like it's just any other adjective, but not in the case of Dance Studio 1 - Liz Kelley...She is simply the best."
--Jeremy Wood, Cinematic Visions - Award Winning Video Production
"When I think of Liz Kelley-Dance Studio 1, I think of smiling, laughing, caring and a lot of hard work. I think of the unique opportunity Mz. Liz provides for dads, to be able to take part in their daughter’s lives by dancing with them in the Father/Daughter Dance. It is an experience I will treasure always as I took my place dancing with my daughter Sara, from the time she was three up to the emotional Senior dance we shared. Mz. Liz provides an environment of warmth and caring and I can honestly say there is no other place I would have wanted Sara to “grow-up”. It extends beyond learning the art of dance; it is learning self-confidence, poise and the skills essential for everyday living. It says a lot about Mz. Liz when you see how much the children love her and how many high school kids still want to dance at her studio. My daughter graduated two years ago and can’t stay away from the studio…she now teaches along with her mentor. I adore my daughter and she adores Mz. Liz…I adore Mz. Liz."
-- Greg Peppes, Former “Dancing Dad”
The level of professionalism at Dance Studio One Liz Kelley each and every year has made photographing the students an annual event for us to look forward to.
For anyone looking for a studio to place their child so they may learn to enjoy dance and if they have the desire to truly learn the art of dance, we would have to say that Liz and her staff have the passion and the love to give.
Photographs of children at any age at Dance Studio One shows the fun that is had and the moral values that are maintained and expected. Respect for everyone, age appropriate dance presentations and having a balanced life that includes school, family, friends and dance have always been a presence at Liz’s.
We have many Dance Studio One clients that have become friends of our photography studio and we are proud to have this dance studio as a part of our business.
-- Thomas and Gail, J Miller Summers Photography - (913) 961-3428
TUITION:
No billing – All payments are due before the first of each month.
$10.00 late fee will apply to all payments made after the 10th of each month. A $25.00 Fee will be charged on all returned checks.
ATTENDANCE:
Students are expected to be present and on time for classes. If you will not be able to attend, please call. No credit will be given for missed classes. Classes may be made up by appointment. At the end of each class students must be picked up in a timely fashion. Students and siblings MUST be supervised when not in class. Please help to take care of your studio by watching children in the waiting rooms and bathrooms.
ATTIRE:
All students are expected and required to wear their hair neat, clean and pulled back. All students must wear dance attire i.e.; camis, leotard, tights, jazz pants. NO BAGGY CLOTHING…NO SOCCER GEAR…NO BASKETBALL GEAR. This is a DANCE STUDIO. Appropriate shoes are required in each class. Do not wear your dance shoes outside, and no street shoes on the dance floor.
REFUNDS:
No refunds will be made to students who do not complete classes for which they are enrolled. No refunds will be made for any recital fees. On a medical withdrawal, a prorated refund will be made upon receipt of a doctor’s certificate.
BEHAVIOR:
Respectful behavior is expected and required of all parents and students at all times.
FOOD AND DRINKS:
NO GUM chewing in class. No food or drinks on the dance floor. Parents and Students are expected and required to put trash in trash receptacles provided.
OBSERVATION:
Parents and guests may observe at anytime and are encouraged to do so.
SNOW DAYS:
The studio will most generally follow the Blue Valley School District cancellation policies. To confirm that classes have been cancelled, please check the "Daily News" section of this website.
Enroll for the Summer Session now!
Call 816-941-3990
