Shellie's School of Dance
Welcome to Shellie's School of Dance, where we celebrate the art of movement.
Our studio is community focused and designed to inspire dancers of varying ages and skill levels, promoting creativity and self-expression.
About Us
A Place to Dance, Create & PerformShellie’s School of Dance is performance-focused, not competition-driven. We believe dancers grow through creativity, confidence, and the joy of performing. Shellie’s School of Dance has been a staple in the West Valley City community for over 60 years, and we are now seeing third-generation dancers learn and grow at our studio.
Through our unique composite classes, dancers explore a variety of styles, techniques, and movement qualities while building a well-rounded foundation. Our goal is to help every dancer discover their own artistry, develop their skills, and experience the excitement of being part of a group on stage.
Our Classes
Our classes are 45-90 minutes with class offerings ranging from 2 year olds to ladies.
Our Composite Dance Classes bring together a variety of dance styles and techniques in one exciting class. Designed to build versatility, coordination, confidence, and creativity, these classes give students the opportunity to explore different forms of dance while developing strong foundational skills. With a fun and supportive approach, dancers are encouraged to learn, express themselves, and enjoy every step of their dance journey.
Our 45 minute Toddler Dance Classes are a fun and playful introduction to the world of dance. Through music, movement, and imaginative activities, little dancers develop coordination, balance, confidence, and creativity while having lots of fun. Classes are designed to encourage self-expression and a love of dance in a warm, supportive environment.
Toddler Classes
Age Group Classes
Our 60 minute Age Group Dance Classes are designed to support dancers at every stage of their development. Classes are tailored to each age group, helping students build technique, coordination, confidence, and creativity while learning in a fun and encouraging environment.
Jazz Attitude
Our 90 minute Dance Performing Team Classes are perfect for dancers who love to perform, challenge themselves, and be part of a team. Students develop strong technique, performance skills, confidence, and teamwork while preparing exciting routines for showcases, concerts, and special events.
Ladies Classes
Our 60 minute Ladies Dance Classes are a fun and welcoming way to get moving, learn new skills, and enjoy the energy of dance. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced dancer, classes focus on movement, confidence, fitness, and self-expression in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Meet the Teachers
Our dance teachers are passionate, experienced instructors dedicated to helping students discover the joy of movement. With a focus on technique, creativity, confidence, and fun, they create a supportive environment where every dancer can learn, grow, and shine.
Director/Teacher
Ashley Jones
Ashley earned her Bachelor of Science in Dance Performance from Southern Utah University in 2001, where she danced on the dance team from 1997-1999 and served as Vice President and President of the Modern Dance Company, “Orchesis,” from 1999–2001. In 2001, Ashley was the recipient of Southern Utah University’s “Performer of the Year” Thunderbird Award, and as a dance scholarship recipient was recognized as one of four Outstanding Seniors in Dance.
​
Ashley has taught dance in Granite School District for 14 years over the span of 25 years. In 2023, Ashley received the “Sorenson Legacy Award for Excellence in Arts Education” from the Utah Board of Education for her work and contributions to the art of dance in the state of Utah.
​
Ashley began teaching dance at Shellie’s School of Dance in 1995 and has continued to teach there, excluding the seven years she lived in the UK and on the East Coast. In 2019, Ashley became the Director of Shellie’s School of Dance and has loved the challenge of running the business in addition to teaching classes.
​
Ashley’s true passion and focus in dance are centered around dance technique, conditioning, and developing the talent of young dancers. When Ashley isn’t teaching or choreographing, she can be found training for some kind of race, from a 5K to a marathon or a sprint triathlon to a 70.3-mile triathlon.
​
Ashley loves challenging herself both personally and professionally and is grateful for the opportunity to work in a field she loves and is passionate about. Ashley lives in Utah with her husband and an assortment of kids and stepkids.
Teacher
Anna Goodfellow
Anna started teaching for Shellie in 1985. Shellie watched Anna Dance at her High School dance concert, and when she called and asked if Anna was interested in teaching for her she jumped at the chance. In High School Anna was involved in Dance, Drill, Cheerleading and Madrigals. Anna has always loved performing!
When Anna started teaching she couldn’t believe how much she loved the kids. Anna danced professionally for 5 years and loved every minute of it. Anna's goal as a teacher has always been to teach the children to love dance as much as she does. Anna is very thankful to all of our patrons for sharing their beautiful kids with her.
Teacher
Dayna Meier
Miss Dayna is celebrating 40 years of teaching dance. Throughout her four decades of teaching, she has had the privilege of inspiring generations of dancers, with most of those years spent with our older dancers and Jazz Attitude.
Miss Dayna is passionate about helping dancers grow not only in their technique and performing abilities, but also in their confidence.
As much as she loves dance, Miss Dayna loves spending time with her grandkids the most. She also loves running, baking, cooking, playing pickle ball and teaching High Fitness.
Miss Dayna is grateful for every dancer she has had the opportunity to teach and is excited for another year!
Teacher
Sara Harding
With 34 years of teaching experience, dance has been a lifelong passion and joy for Miss Sara.
Throughout her teaching career, she has especially loved working with our youngest dancers and watching them discover the magic of movement.
She loves creating a fun, encouraging environment where our young dancers can build confidence, express themselves, and most importantly, learn to love dance.
Miss Sara is a mom to seven children and a Mimi to three adorable grandchildren. Her favorite thing is spending time with them. She also loves riding her bike and scooter, playing pickle ball, camping, and having fun with her sisters.
Miss Sara feels so lucky to share her love of dance with the next generation of dancers!
Teacher
Shayla Stone
Shayla doesn’t really know a life without Shellie’s school of Dance in it. She started dance here at age 3 and as she got older she performed with Jazz attitude and was one of the first JA classes to do Miss Ashley’s technique and conditioning! She was a 15 year graduate and had the opportunity to TA her senior of high school for Miss Shellie herself! She started with her own classes the following year and is now in her 22nd year of teaching. She finds so much joy in working with our dancers and uses her choreography as her creative outlet!
Shayla is married to her high school sweetheart and they have 5 beautiful children ranging from 19 to 10. Their oldest daughter is serving a mission in Leeds, England while the other 4 stay busy with their activities which include dance, football, basketball and soccer. Shayla loves being able to teach with her two sisters and is especially excited to work alongside her daughter, Paislee, this year as she joins the teaching staff!
Last year Shayla certified as an Integrative Foot Zonologist and enjoys seeing and helping clients when she’s not teaching. Shayla’s ultimate dream is to have her own farm someday and is slowly working her way toward it with her 2 dogs, 4 cats, 11 chickens and 1 fish.
Shayla enjoys being outside, taking walks, Disneyland, yoga, talking to her missionary on P-days, The Office, High Fitness, and any time she gets to spend with her family!
Teacher
Shannon Pearson
Shannon Pearson has been immersed in the world of dance since the age of three, beginning her journey at Shellie’s School of Dance. She attended Granger High School and was part of dance company and was an Excalibur, part of the drill team for all three years. Shannon received academic all- state all three years as well as lettering in drill during her high school career. She was selected as vice president her junior year and selected as president her senior year learning valuable leadership skills. She was the 2007 sterling scholar in dance which earned her a full tuition scholarship. Her deep commitment to the art form led her to Utah Valley University, where she pursued a degree in Performing Arts with an emphasis on modern dance. During her time there, she performed with the Synergy Dance Company and the Contemporary Dance Ensemble, gaining invaluable experience on stage. She also had a research paper selected to receive a grant in the modern dance department as well.
Shannon’s teaching career began in 2007 as a teaching assistant at Shellie’s, and she has been leading her own classes since 2008. With 19 years of experience, she considers it a profound honor to work with such talented students and contribute to the local dance community.
Beyond the studio, Shannon is a dedicated mother to her three daughters and has been married to her best friend since 2009. She recently expanded her educational expertise by completing a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Western Governors University, specializing in mild to moderate exceptionalities in special education. This academic background allows her to bring an inclusive, patient, and highly supportive perspective to her dance instruction.
When she isn’t in the studio or the classroom, Shannon loves staying active through golfing and road biking, as well as creative pursuits like painting, crafting, and acting. Whether she is singing, shopping, or playing games, she is happiest when surrounded by the people she loves most. Shannon is deeply grateful for the opportunity to share her lifelong passion for dance and continues to cherish every moment spent helping her students grow.
Teacher
Lexi Bitters
Lexi has been part of Shellie’s School of Dance for as long as she can remember. She started dancing at Shellie’s at just 3 years old and has been lucky enough to teach there for the past 15 years, after spending 4 years as a TA.
​
Dance has always been an important part of Lexi’s life. She grew up performing at Shellie’s, dancing in school musicals, and participating on drill team. She has also taken classes in New York City and with the Disney Company, coached drill teams, choreographed solos, and taught private lessons.
Outside of the studio, Lexi loves being a mom, spending time with her family and animals, traveling—especially to Disneyland!—and cheering on her son at his sporting events.
​
Dance has given Lexi so much more than a passion; it has given her lifelong friends, incredible mentors, confidence, and a community she truly loves. She feels incredibly lucky to share her love of dance with each of the dancers at Shellie’s and to be part of the Shellie’s dance family!
Teacher
Paislee Stone
Paislee has been dancing at Shellie’s since she was 3 years old. She is a graduate this year, having danced 15 years at Shellie’s, 8 of which she spent on Jazz Attitude. She has TA’d for the little classes for the last 2 years, this year being her 3rd. She is joining the teaching staff has an offical teacher this year, alongside her friend Mineyri. She is excited to join the teaching staff with her Mom and two aunts.
Paislee danced on her Jr High Dance Company where she served as president her 8th grade year. She is starting her 4th and final year on her High School’s Dance Company where she currently serves as president. Paislee has also worked with the high schools preschool for 2 years and hopes to further her Elementary Education Goals in college.
Paislee has served on Youth City Council for the past two years where she currently serves has one of the Leads. She also participated in the Miss West Valley’s Teen Competition this year, where she won First Runner-up and people’s choice.
Paislee enjoys spending time with her friends and family, crafting, working with little kids, drinking Swig disneyland and talking to her sister and best friends on p-days.
After High School, Paislee plans to serve an LDS mission and continue her dance education in college.
Teacher
Mineyri Cruz
Mineyri has been dancing at Shellie’s School of Dance since she was 4 years old. She has grown to love it like it’s her dance family. She is a senior in High School and a 4-year member of her High School Dance Company. Along with that, this year she is serving as the team’s representative. She is so excited for her senior year and can’t wait to see what great experiences she gets to have during this last year!
Mineyri had the privilege of working closely with Ashley last year as her TA. This helped her learn on a deeper level what teaching should look like. Ashley has been an amazing role model to Mineyri, and she feels so privileged to go from learning from Ashley to working for her.
Aside from dancing, Mineyri is a part of YCC, which stands for Youth City Council. There, she is able to help her community in so many different ways. She’s also part of a state committee, SOUT, which is a group of teenagers with or without intellectual disabilities. They work on making things more inclusive for everyone and, overall, just making our world a better place with kindness and compassion.
She loves spending time with friends and family, especially her siblings, Jayden and Tanayri!
​
For class schedules and availability, please contact us below.
