It starts with great teachers.
Amy Murphy
Amy Murphy founded Amy’s School of Dance in 1998 with just 35 students and a vision to create a studio rooted in community, creativity, and quality dance education. More than 25 years later, that vision continues as generations of dancers have found a place to learn, grow, and belong at ASOD.
Amy studied dance at The University of Iowa and holds both Certified Dance Educator and Master Dance Educator credentials through the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters (CNADM), where she also serves on the board and as Representatives Director. Throughout her career, she has continued her training with renowned dancers and educators and has performed, choreographed, and taught throughout Central Iowa.
At ASOD, Miss Amy teaches dancers across ages and levels, from some of their earliest classes through pre-professional and competitive training. Her favorite moments are the “light bulb” ones—when a dancer masters something new, discovers greater confidence, or simply realizes what they’re capable of.
For Amy, ASOD has always been about more than teaching dance. It’s about the relationships built along the way and creating a place where dancers feel challenged, encouraged, and at home.
Jill Kragie
Jill brings decades of experience, artistry, and leadership to Amy’s School of Dance. Raised in West Des Moines, she trained at The Dance Place and The Robert Thomas Dancenter and performed with Iowa Dance Theatre, building a strong foundation in both performance and dance education.
Jill spent ten years in Wisconsin as Head of the Ballet and Lyrical Department at Stoughton Center for the Performing Arts, where she also directed the studio’s competitive dance company. Under her leadership, dancers earned numerous first-place awards and high-point honors, with former students going on to train and perform with respected ballet companies, dance programs, and universities across the country.
Her choreography credits include Peter Pan Ballet and The Nutcracker with Iowa Dance Theatre. At ASOD, Miss Jill teaches ballet and lyrical, including pre-professional training and private lessons. She is known for combining strong technical instruction with expressive artistry and a genuine dedication to helping each dancer grow.
And ASOD truly is family for Jill—she and Miss Amy are sisters, making her connection to the studio one that goes well beyond the classroom.
Payton Hauersperger
Payton’s ASOD story began when she was just 18 months old, and she has been part of the studio family ever since. After more than a decade of competitive dance—including 10 years as a soloist—she began teaching in her early teens and now brings six years of experience instructing tap, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary dance.
Payton has continued her dance education through opportunities including the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters (CNADM) and Orlando Tap Festival. At ASOD, she teaches private lessons and leads tap competition groups. Her favorite part of teaching is seeing the joy and confidence in her students, whether they’re mastering a challenging new skill or simply walking into class excited to dance.
A 2024 Ballard High School graduate, Payton is currently studying Genetics and Microbiology at Iowa State University, where she also works in genetics research. Even as she pursues her education, ASOD remains home—with her younger sister still dancing at the studio and Payton continuing to share the place she grew up with a new generation of dancers.
Kayla Evans
Kayla brings a love of both teaching and the performing arts to ASOD. With 17 years of dance training, she has experience in jazz, lyrical, tap, musical theater, ballet, tumbling, hip hop, pom, and contemporary, including time as a dancer at ASOD and with the Ballard and Grand View University dance teams.
Kayla holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education and is currently pursuing her master’s degree while teaching Special Education at Ballard High School. Her background as both an educator and dancer shapes her passion for helping students grow in confidence, express themselves, and discover what they’re capable of.
At ASOD, Miss Kayla teaches private lessons and works with several competition teams. She especially loves the supportive, family atmosphere of the studio and seeing dancers light up when they accomplish something they’ve worked hard to achieve.
Fun fact: Kayla is also the new Head Coach of the Ballard Dance Team for the 2026–27 season, and we couldn’t be more excited for her!
Gabrielle Flancha
Gabby has been part of the ASOD family since she was four years old. She began teaching at the studio in 2016 and, after graduating from college, returned in 2021 to continue sharing her love of dance with the next generation of ASOD students.
Gabby earned a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Iowa, along with a Dance Minor and Certificate in Disability Studies. While at Iowa, she continued her training in ballet, modern, and choreography. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and a member of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters.
At ASOD, Miss Gabby teaches ballet, lyrical, and private lessons. She loves giving dancers opportunities to express themselves through movement and creativity while developing confidence and valuable life skills. She especially values ASOD’s focus on each dancer’s individual journey and the growth that can happen both in and beyond the studio.
Cydnee Greene
Cydnee joined the ASOD family in the '25-'26 season and is excited to share her love of dance with her students. She began dancing at age two and trained for more than 18 years, including many years of competitive dance across a variety of styles.
Cydnee attended the University of Kentucky, where she studied Special Education and Leadership in Community Education and Human Learning. She has also remained involved in dance through a local nonprofit studio that provides dance opportunities for children in the community.
At ASOD, Miss Cydnee teaches ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and contemporary. She enjoys helping dancers develop their skills, build confidence, and find their own creativity and self-expression through dance. She is excited to bring her background and enthusiasm to her first season at ASOD.
Maddie Maly
Maddie joined the ASOD family in 2024 as the studio’s primary tumbling instructor. She began dancing at age two and spent six years in competitive dance, developing a lifelong appreciation for movement, athleticism, and the performing arts.
At ASOD, Miss Maddie specializes in tumbling and teaches Intermediate, Advanced, and Top Notch classes. Her favorite part of teaching is watching students build their skills, accomplish goals they’ve worked hard to achieve, and gain confidence along the way.
Outside the studio, Maddie works as a pediatric medical assistant and is currently pursuing a nursing degree, balancing her love of working with children with her growing career in healthcare.
Amelia Moss
Amelia has been part of the ASOD family since she began dancing at just three years old. Her involvement in the studio grew right along with her—she began assisting classes at age seven and co-teaching at 14.
Throughout her years at ASOD, Amelia has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tumbling, pre-professional, and competition classes. She has been a member of the ASOD Competition Team since age nine and has continued her dance education through opportunities including the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters (CNADM).
Today, Miss Amelia teaches ballet, tap, and jazz and also choreographs for ASOD. She loves being part of her students’ dance journeys and helping them develop their skills and confidence. Having grown up within the studio herself, Amelia especially values the supportive, family atmosphere and the lifelong friendships that make ASOD feel like home.
Molly Princehouse
Molly began dancing at ASOD at just 18 months old and has quite literally grown up within the studio. Over the years, her role has evolved from dancer to longtime class assistant, instructor, competition team coach, and choreographer. She also completed three years of Student Honors through the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters (CNADM).
A 2026 Ballard High School graduate, Molly balanced her years at ASOD with extensive involvement in both dance and cheer. She served as captain of the Ballard Dance Team and earned recognition through the All-Iowa Dance Team, All-Honor Cheer Team, and three years as an Iowa Shrine Bowl All-Star Cheerleader.
Molly is now attending Creighton University, where she is majoring in Elementary Education, minoring in Dance Education, and cheering on the co-ed cheer team. She continues to be part of ASOD as a competition choreographer, private lesson instructor, summer teacher, and substitute instructor when her college schedule allows.
After nearly two decades at ASOD, Molly brings a unique perspective to teaching—combining extensive dance training, performance and competition experience, choreography, coaching, and a genuine understanding of what it means to grow up as an ASOD dancer.
Chloe Smith
Chloe has been dancing since age three and joined ASOD in fourth grade, where she has grown from a recreational dancer into a competition and solo performer. Now a senior at Ballard High School, she is beginning a new chapter at ASOD by teaching private lessons.
Outside the studio, Chloe stays incredibly busy. She is captain of the Ballard Dance Team and a four-year member of both the dance team and Varsity Cheer and Competitive Cheer/Dance programs. She has also been selected twice for the Iowa Shrine Bowl All-Star Cheer Team and is active in numerous school and community organizations, including mentoring in special education classrooms and Best Buddies.
Following graduation, Chloe plans to attend college to pursue Elementary Education and hopes to include study-abroad experiences along the way.
As a longtime ASOD dancer stepping into teaching, Chloe is excited to begin sharing her experience and love of dance with younger students.
Mandy Weeks
Mandy Weeks
Mandy Weeks
Office Manager
Steph Emery
Mandy Weeks
Mandy Weeks
Front Desk Assistant
Tiffany Kayser
Katie Princehouse
Katie Princehouse
Front Desk Assistant
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Katie Princehouse
Katie Princehouse
Digital Marketing
Deb Malone
Sarah Fitzpatrick
Sarah Fitzpatrick
Front Desk Assistant
Sarah Fitzpatrick
Sarah Fitzpatrick
Sarah Fitzpatrick
Front Desk Assistant
Chelsey Aisenbrey
Sarah Fitzpatrick
Chelsey Aisenbrey
Recital Coordinator