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.

Lauren Bankes

Lauren is currently a student at Grand Valley State University where she is studying Public Relations and Nonprofit Administration. Lauren began dancing when she was 3-years-old and it has been a huge part of her life ever since.

Aside from dancing in a studio, Lauren was captain of her high school’s competitive dance and pom pom team and she continues to dance as part of Grand Valley’s Dance Troupe.  In addition to her love of dancing, Lauren enjoys being a volunteer for nonprofit organizations.  She has been teaching dance for the past few years and is thrilled to be part of Inspirations Dance Studio!