Exploring Together. Moving Together.
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Hixon Dance offers a different approach to dance education in central Ohio. Located in the Clintonville neighborhood of Columbus, our program emphasizes collaboration, creativity, community, and a healthy approach to training with a growth mindset. We accept all people into a friendly and fun environment in which both children and adults can realize their physical and creative potential!
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We are all about collaboration, not competition. Progress over perfection. Diversity, not conformity. We don't just teach dance, we teach artistry at all levels. Through a nurturing and brave environment, we encourage students to be curious and creative.
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No matter your age or previous dance experience, you will find space to grow, to create movement, and to build inner and outer strength with guidance and support from our knowledgable staff. We believe in dance as both a physical and mental practice, and we empower students of any age and any experience level to experiment, explore, and collaborate.
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We cultivate an inclusive community of people who find joy in moving together.
Whether embodying dinosaurs, building your own dances, or making personal discoveries through movement, we invite you and your family to become part of our community of movers.
We can’t wait to meet you and have you join the Hixon Dance family! Come experience dance with us, become creative problem-solvers, and cultivate your imaginations.
No Leotards, No Limits!
Hixon Dance offers a totally unique approach to dance training and education. Grounded in Modern Dance and somatic practices, our classes inspire students to enjoy the freedom and joy of dancing. We offer classes in a variety of dance styles, and serve students ages 2 through adult.
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Dr. Rachael Riggs Leyva, director of Education, leads our highly-trained and experienced staff. Our teachers have higher education degrees in Dance as well as additional certifications in specific modalities. They bring years of teaching experience in a broad range of age groups to our program, including early childhood development, dance literacy, mentorship, and social activism. They have a comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology to ensure that training is safe, effective, prevents injury, and teaches students how to understand their own bodies.
We believe that dance is an art form, not a sport. Each dancer brings their own unique ideas, perspectives, and value into the studio and we celebrate all contributions to the learning or creating process. Since 2017, we have been providing a home for students who want to express themselves, who love to ask questions, and who love dancing!
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Our Educational Values
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Building Creativity
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Inclusive Community
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Body-Positivity
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Healthy Technique and self-care
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Growth Mindset
Our Teaching Artists
Rachael Riggs Leyva is a dance notator, educator, scholar, and performer. She has taught for Denison University, The Ohio State University, and CATCOisKids, and presented research at CORD/SDHS, Dance Studies Association, International Council of Kinetography Laban, and Trinity/LABAN. She earned a PhD in Dance and Literacy Studies, and an MFA in Dance Documentation from The Ohio State University. She currently serves as Education Director for Hixon Dance.
Sarah Hixon has more than 20 years experience as a dance educator. She has taught for The Ohio State University, the American College Dance Festival, BalletMet, Wittenburg University, New Albany Ballet Company, Dublin Dance Center, Columbus City Ballet, & the OhioDance Festival among others. She holds a BFA in Dance from George Mason University and an MFA in Choreography from OSU.
Dr. Rachael Riggs Leyva
Sarah Hixon
Grace Glowacki has been working with students in performing arts and early childhood settings for the last 10 years. Grace participated in multiple performing arts during middle and high school, before she began directing. While working for the Worthingway Arts Program, she began to help backstage with Hixon Dance performances. In 2021, Grace officially began working for Hixon Dance as Studio Operations Administrator. Grace earned her Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education and Intervention from Otterbein University in 2022. Grace has since taken a full-time lead teacher position at The Learning Spectrum. She looks forward to following her dream of teaching in special education, while also continuing to support Hixon Dance’s mission as our Studio Manager.
Alicia Hann received a BFA in Modern Dance from Ohio University. Alicia is also a Dancing Mindfulness facilitator certified through The Institute for Creative Mindfulness in 2017. She believes that everyone is a dancer. Alicia has over a decade of experience in dance education & continues to teach dance technique classes in Modern, Ballet, & Contemporary Dance forms at several central Ohio studios. She is also a facilitator for Perennial Movement Group, a Columbus-based group focused on providing dance classes & performance opportunities for adults 50+. Alicia has taught workshops & master classes in Modern Dance Technique, Improvisation, Dance Composition, & Dancing Mindfulness throughout the Midwest. Alicia is excited to be entering into her 5th season teaching with Hixon Dance. She values the community of movers at Hixon dance & their progressive approach to dance education.
Grace Glowacki
Alicia Hann
Anne Raspe
Anne Raspe is a performer, choreographer, and dance advocate. She received a degree in Dance Studies, under the instruction of Rashana Perks-Smith, at Ohio Wesleyan University and maintained many leadership positions within the campus dance company, clubs, and department board. She is passionate about keeping art accessible and has thoroughly enjoyed dancing alongside her company members. This is her first year teaching at Hixon Dance and her second season with the Hixon Dance Company. She has loved every moment so far.
Sarah Price
Sarah Price is a current company dancer for Hixon Dance, as well as Teaching Artist and Communications Administrator. Sarah is a recent graduate of Western Kentucky University where she received a B.A. in dance. At Western, Sarah was a member of the National Dance Education Organization WKU student chapter as well as a company member. Sarah is from Erie, PA where she trained and taught at Longs School of Dance for 6 years. While there she taught ballet, acrobatics, hip hop, contemporary, and Irish dance. She was also a competitive gymnast for 6 years. Sarah is looking forward to sharing her love of dance.
Jasmine Shafley
Jasmine Shafley has been with Hixon Dance since 2017. She is a former Company Dancer for Hixon Dance, and is currently a Teaching Artist and part of the admin team. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a minor in Somatic Studies from Ohio University, as well as teaching experience in Yoga and Pilates Mat Training. Jasmine earned her Child Development Associate Credential through Action for Children and taught preschool at North Broadway Children's Center. Jasmine has enjoyed sharing her love of dance through teaching Modern and Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz, and Tap at several dance studios in the Central and South-East Ohio areas and is excited to be part of Hixon Dance's mission to create a collaborative, creative, and inclusive community of young movers.
Sarah Vah
Sarah Vah is a graduate of Kent State University, where she received her B.A in Dance Studies, and a double minor in Arts Entrepreneurship and Disability Studies. Sarah grew up in Hilliard, Ohio and danced competitively for 11 years. She has taught dance classes at various studios in both Columbus and Kent in all styles and to all ages. During her tenure at Kent State, she was a member of the Kent Dance Ensemble and served as the Student Artistic Director. She is in her second season with Hixon Dance as both a company member and a teacher. Sarah is excited to further her teaching career at Hixon Dance!
