About POYDS
We value working with dancers of all ages and backgrounds. We refuse to discriminate against anyone based on their previous dancing experience or ability. We welcome these individuals to further their dance skills!
At POYDS Dance Company, we strive to create an inclusive environment where anyone can take any level of classes in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, country line & swing dance, musical theater, or basic ballroom!
Our vision is to make you a dancer regardless of your dance background, skill level or age!
We value not only making you a sound technical dancer, but a well-rounded individual as well!
At POYDS Dance Company, we only hire teachers and assistants that value inner beauty, balance and personal well-being. We are committed to excellence, and a high quality dance education. Regardless of their starting point, we value meeting and working with dancers to find their strengths and maximize their potential!
Our Core Values
unconditional Positive regard
pOise
inner beautY
balanceD
incluSivity
Meet the Owner
Kayleigh Schadwinkel
POYDS Dance Company, LLC is proudly owner by dance teacher and choreography, Kayleigh Schadwinkel. Kayleigh was born and raised in Gering, NE and has 22 years of dance training in numerous styles of dance and choreographing for over 10+ years.
Before she graduated from Doane College in 2016, Kayleigh established POYDS Dance Company, LLC, as a traveling choreography company and dance studio. Since then, she has choreographed 125+ numbers across the Midwest region of the United States in less than 4 years. across the state of Nebraska ranging from Miss Nebraska Talent pieces, show choir numbers, dance competition numbers, full length musicals, first wedding dances, summer camps and much more!
Along with choreography, Kayleigh has expanded her business from just offering private dance lessons to collegiate and adults trying to become a triple threat in the theater world to now providing public dance classes to individuals of all ages at Studio C in downtown Crete.
Kayleigh is recognized as an award winning choreographer and has received numerous choreography and technical excellences awards including her choreography in Doane University’s “Peter and the Starcatcher” being selected as an Invited Scene for the 2018 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Showcase (KCACTF) in Des Moines, Iowa.
She creates and directs choreography for numerous schools and organizations including Doane University Theater Department, Crete High School, Gering High School, Pure Movement Dance Institute - Winter Ballet and Company Performances, and several additional show choirs, dance teams and musicals across the state of Nebraska. She is the Advance Tap Teacher at Pure Movement Dance Institute in Lincoln, Nebraska, Head Dance Instructor at the Crete High School - KPOP Dance Club and was been a featured dancer for the 2015 Summer TEDxYouth@Lincoln Program. Kayleigh has been a guest artist at Doane University’s Fall Drama Conference, Camp Summergold, the Nebraska Department of Indian Affairs - Leadership Sovereign Summer Camp and several non-profit organizations.
Meet the Staff
Studion Manager, Crete, NE
Keri Kriston
Keri was a dancer for most all of her younger years. She shifted her focus to the visual arts but never gave up her love for dance.
Keri earn a BFA in Theater Design and Production from MSU in Montclair, NJ and a Post Graduate Professional Certificate in Scenic Art from the Yale School of Drama.
She finds great pleasure working in the arts and being a part of POYDS Dance Company.
Tap and Ballet Instructor
Madison Eliker
Madison has 10 years of dance experience. She is from Waverly, NE and her favorite styles of dance are tap and jazz. She joined the POYDS team because she thought it would be a great opportunity to advance her dance career and would help her branch out. Instructing dance is something Madison had never done before. She is very excited for this opportunity.
Ballet & Tap Instructor
Olivia DeFord
Olivia has 16 years of dance experience. She's from Lincoln, NE and her favorite styles of dance are, modern and contemporary. Olivia joined the POYDS team because she's had great experiences taking a few classes from Kayleigh and had always wanted to be a dance instructor in college.
Teacher Assistant, Studio Volunteer
Andrea Holmes
We are so grateful to have Andrea Holmes a part of our studio and to assist with classes like our two 3 - 4 years Creative Movement Classes. Andrea is one of our amazing adult ballerinas and is always willing to serve and volunteer for any studio project!