Staff
Heather Carpenter – Studio Director
Heather has been dancing for almost 22 years; she spent most of that time on a competitive Team performing at Regional and National competitions as well as internationally.
She had the opportunity to perform on a cruise line at the young age of fourteen the same year winning a junior title division at a regional competition. She began teaching dance in her teenage years, and has been unable to give it up.
She has been instructing competitively for six years holding several first places, as well as being awarded one of the top three directors in West Michigan area by a nationally recognized competition.
Her goal has always been to run a studio where students can learn in a professional environment with personal attention. She believes that we are here to inspire children to have confidence and faith in themselves; as they are our Inspirations.
Ashley Swisher – Instructor
Ashley is originally from Fenton MI where she danced/ taught at, ‘Fenton School of Dance and Academy.’ After graduating from Fenton High School she attended Central Michigan University; where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree of Applied Arts, majoring in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, and double minoring in Dance and Theatre.
While at CMU I was on the Infusion Dance Team for two years before becoming Captain of the team. Dance is a huge passion of hers and has been a very important part of her life since she was 3 years old.
Kelly Malinowski
Kelly is a recent GVSU graduate with a BA in French. Dance has been a passion of Kelly’s for as long as she can remember. Throughout high school she danced as a part of her high school competitive dance team “The Vikettes,” and on Grand Valley’s Dance Troupe throughout college. Aside from dance, Kelly enjoys environmental activism, painting, and reading books in French. She believes dance is an amazing way to express yourself, develop character, and have fun. She feels very fortunate to still be able to incorporate dance into her life and is very excited to share her passion with fellow instructors as well as students at the studio.
Alisha Keeler
Alisha was born and raised in the Traverse City area where she participated in a variety of sports including softball, basketball, volleyball, and cheerleading. Alisha true passion was always dance. She has taken a variety of dance classes throughout her life and was a member of the competitive dance team throughout high school. Alisha moved to the Grand Rapids area five years ago to pursue an education in Interior Design. While in college Alisha worked as a gymnastics, cheerleading and dance instructor for four years working with children of all ages and skill levels. Alisha graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design in 2008 with a BFA in Interior Design and a minor in Historic Preservation. She is currently employed part-time in her profession and is very excited to start dancing, teaching, mentoring and Inspiring again!
Molly Waddell
Molly started out dancing competitively on the school team for two years as well as dancing and competive for a studio. She was involved in everything from ballroom to ballet, modern to jazz and hip-hop. She danced until she had her beautiful babies in 2007; the twins, Madyson and Tyson, will be two this November. They are the most important thing in her life. Without them she would not be the person that she is today. They challenge her in ways more physically and emotionally than ever expected. Molly loves children of all ages, she believes nothing melts one’s heart more than when someone looks up to you and considers you an inspiration. She plans to pursue a degree with special education and handicapped children. She is excited to be back in the dance world, even if it’s in a different capacity, as Inspiration’s Dance Studio’s Communication leader. The joke around the studio is that Molly is Miss Heather’s mind reader, so if there is anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask Miss Molly!
