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 9 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. Grace recently accepted a position in Hilliard City Schools as an Intervention Specialist SLP. She looks forward to continuing to support Hixon Dance’s mission while pursuing her dream of teaching.
Alicia Hann received a BFA in Modern Dance at Ohio University. She is a Dancing Mindfulness Facilitator, certified through The Institute for Creative Mindfulness and Mindful Ohio. Dancing Mindfulness is a form of dance which incorporates meditation, improvisation, music, and community. She has facilitated at Amethyst Inc, a treatment center which helps recovering drug and alcohol dependent women and their families. She has taught dance with various studios in central Ohio including Dublin Dance. She values the Hixon Dance community of movers and their progressive approach to dance education.
Grace Glowacki
Alicia Hann
Lisa Horton
Lisa Horton (she/her) is a dancer, creator, and educator in Ohio. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a business cognate from The University of Akron. While studying at the University, she performed in several shows with The University of Akron Dance Company. She has worked with various artists such as Gibney Dance, Body Traffic, Ben Needham-Wood, and more. In 2023, she was a guest artist for The Movement Project in Cleveland, Ohio, performing in several shows with the company. She has most recently become a company member of Hixon Dance. Lisa worked for Martell School of Dance in Akron as an Educator instructing numerous styles and ages. She also worked for Weathervane Playhouse as an Akron After-School dance teacher and leader for the Neighborhood Playhouse Camp.
Sarah Price
Sarah Price is a current company dancer for Hixon Dance, as well as Teaching Artist. 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 here she taught ballet, acrobatics, hip hop, contemporary, and Irish. She was also a competitive gymnast for 6 years. Sarah is looking forward to sharing her love of dance.
Jasmine Shafley
Jasmine Shafley is a former Company Dancer for Hixon Dance, currently a Teaching Artist and Communications Administrator. 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. In 2022, she choreographed her own piece for Kent's student dance concert titled "Not Just Yet." Sarah is excited to further her teaching career at Hixon Dance!
