Kayleigh Schadwinkel-Hickman

At the age of 28, Kayleigh Schadwinkel-Hickman is a successful multi-branch dance entrepreneur and award-winning professional traveling choreographer with over 25 years of dance training and 13 years of choreography experience. Kayleigh is the founder and owner of POYDS Dance Company (AKA “Put On Your Dancing Shoes”) and KASH Dance & Choreography (AKA Kayleigh Schadwinkel Dance & Choreography). 

Kayleigh’s POYDS Dance Company was the first studio in the state of Nebraska to have a LIVE virtual dance program established in 2019 prior to COVID-19. During the height of COVID, Kayleigh connected more than 23,000 individuals of all ages and dance backgrounds in 17 states in the US and 44 countries worldwide to put on their dancing shoes in her weekly online community dance classes. Kayleigh currently operates four branches located in two states, Nebraska and Colorado, along with her full-service Online Dance Studio. Kayleigh is most proud and humbled to have the opportunity every day to put on her dancing shoes alongside individuals of all ages, dance backgrounds, and skill levels to enjoy the wonderful art of dance.​

In just five years of establishing her own businesses, Kayleigh has choreographed over 400+ dances and 35+ musicals across the Midwest portion of the US including her choreographed work being featured in:

• Harlem Globetrotters World Tour Event - Halftime Performance in Lincoln, NE

• A music video in Chicago, IL 

• A virtual Kids POMS Dance Team Choreography in San Diego, California

• Valor Christian High School Musical “Anastasia” in Highlands Ranch, Colorado 

• Top Honors Crete High School Show Choir - CBOBC Spooktacular Show Choir Festival in Council Bluffs, Iowa 

  • Best Closer 

  • Best Overall Choreography  

• Top Gold Honors with Gering High School Harmony Show Choir 

  • Best of the Fest - Scottsbluff High School 

  • Nebraska Choral Directors Association (NCDA) Show Choir Competition - Imperial, Nebraska 

• The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Invited Scene Showcase 

  • “Mermaid Outta Of Me” from “Peter & The Starcatcher” performed by Doane University Theater Department in Des Moines, Iowa