Our dancers become problem solvers and critical thinkers.
Meet the owner, Megan
Megan teaches Combo I, Pre-ballet, Ballet levels 1, 2, & 3, Jazz levels 1 & 2, and Company.
Megan Adams holds a Master of Arts degree in Dance Education from the University of Northern Colorado, where her director was the well-known dance author Sandra Cerney Minton. In addition, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Megan Adams is originally from Mandan, North Dakota. She started her training in jazz and ballet at the age of 4. Megan’s career in dance began at the age of 16, where she taught her first jazz and dance team classes at Northern Plains Ballet in Bismarck, ND. As a member of her high school dance team for four years, she received the Most Valuable Dancer and the All Star award as she also became captain of her dance team for 2 consecutive years. Megan choreographed and lead technique classes for the dance team and in her senior year; she choreographed their novelty dance, which lead them to a state title, as well as their pom routine, which lead them to 4th place.
Before moving to Missouri, Megan was the Dance Director at San Luis High School in Arizona for 11 years. She established a dance program from the ground up that started with 60 students and grew into over 230 students. While there, Megan received the Teacher of the Year award for her accomplishments. As she taught dance in Arizona, she simultaneously coached a competitive dance team for 10 years where they traveled around the country for competitions, workshops, and dance conventions. She received the Exceptional Coach award in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, and in 2013. In 2017, Megan had the honor of speaking at the National Dance Education Organization conference about the connection between dance and character.
Megan currently lives in Platte City with her encouraging husband and beautiful step-son who have helped inspire the creation of Elements Dance Academy. Dancing competitively used to be a huge part of Megan’s life but her adoration now lies within the ways that dance develops the child as a whole human being. Megan’s expertise lies within uplifting, empowering, and inspiring her students to embrace themselves entirely through the elements of dance. She is filled with joy to take her 25 years of teaching and dance experience to establish a new community of dance students through Elements Dance Academy.
Meet Hannah
Teaches Junior Hip Hop, and Hip Hop Levels 1 &
Hannah Blacklock has been involved with dance for over 23 years. She is originally from Morrison, Illinois where she danced at Jennifer’s Dance Center. Hannah learned ballet, jazz, lyrical, clogging, Irish Step, and contemporary dance styles.
Hannah was a member of the Morrison High School Pom Pon Squad, and won multiple state titles in the Class A High Kick division. She was a member of the All-American Dance Team and danced in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the London New Year’s Day Parade.
Hannah attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and was captain for the Pioneer Dance Team. She performed for the halftime of the Vikings and Packers game in 2014. During her collegiate career, she taught at Gotta Dance Academy of Performing Arts located in Lancaster, Wisconsin. Hannah occasionally leads master classes for current students.
Hannah is the current head coach for the first MSHSSA recognized cheerleading team at Lakeview Middle School, called the Lynx Cheer Squad. The squad performs sideline routines, chants, and halftime routines for various football, volleyball, and basketball games.
Currently, she lives in Platte City with her pit bull Griswold and is a deputy with the Platte County Sheriff’s Office. Dance is engraved in who she is as a person and she wants to share this excitement with her students. She is thrilled to see where her new journey takes her with Elements Dance Academy.
Meet Erik
Teaches Junior Tap and Tap Level 1
Erik Bayer holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and is a Critical Response Nurse with Saint Lukes Health System. In addition, he holds a minor in fine arts with emphasis on vocal performance.
Erik is originally from Sellersville, Pennsylvania and has lived in numerous states before his family relocated to Missouri and he attended Liberty High School.
Erik started his dance training at the age of 4, taking tap and jazz. Prior to moving to Missouri, Erik and his sister, Amy, continued their dance training at Siouxland Civic Dance Association in Sioux City, Iowa. Here Erik was in the cast of the Nutcracker for 3 years alongside his sister, who he has always looked up to.
When Erik’s family relocated to Liberty Missouri, Erik decided to audition for the Liberty Junior High color guard. Here Erik fell in love with the art of color guard while adding dance elements to performances. Erik followed in his mother’s and sister’s steps, performing with color guard throughout high school and then into the winter season in 2003 with Northwest Missouri State University. At NWMSU, Erik served as a visual show design assistant. Erik then went to perform with NWMSU in 2004, earning a silver medal at nationals. From 2004-2007, Erik worked with numerous area high schools, including his alma mater, helping several teams earn gold or silver at nationals in the winter season and 1st and 2nd places at marching competitions.
Over his 13 years of training, Erik has taken coursework in other genres of dance including gymnastics, hip-hop, musical theater, contemporary, east coast swing, and music video choreography.
Erik has lived in the Platte City area for 4 years with his wife and twin girls, who share his love of dance. Erik is excited to bring his dance knowledge and passion to especially encourage other boys and young men to fall in love with dance. Erik is excited to be joining Elements Dance Academy.
Meet Angela
Teaches Creative Movement, Creative Dance, and Dance Exploration.
She has taught dance at a local church for the last 4 years where she combined her passion for dance and her love for children. She feels children possess a joy and freedom that everyone should discover.
Angela has lived in the Kansas City area most of her life! She’s a Platte County Alumni…go Pirates! She lives in PC with her husband and 3 children. Angela has many passions and dance has always been on the top of that list! She loves getting into the world of others and seeing their perspective and believes that teaching creative dance is just the avenue for this!
She is excited to be a part of the Elements vision and all that they have to offer this small, but growing town. She can’t wait to help your little ones explore their part in this and discover all the creativity and dance they have inside just waiting to come out!
Meet Chloe
Teaches Tumbling classes.
Chloe is a 17-year-old high school student at St. Pius X with a passion for dance that started at the age of 3 at Jennifer's Rising Dance Stars. Joining the competition team at Catherine’s Dance Studio at 6, she later returned to Jennifer’s team at the age of 10 until the studio closed during her freshman year.
Chloe took tumbling classes at various places and was a member of the Park Hill South dance team during her freshman year, competing for P&D before discovering the need for reconstructive hip surgery. After completing her third hip surgery, Chloe found joy in coaching tumbling classes in downtown Parkville and offering private lessons.
Her love for children and the positive impact she makes on their lives drives her to share her passion, bringing excitement when things click for young dancers. Chloe looks forward to continuing this rewarding experience at Elements Dance Academy.
Meet Ashley
Teaches Pre-Ballet classes.
Ashley Hruska started her dance journey with tap at the age of 4. She grew up north of Wichita, KS and danced, and eventually helped teach, with her dance studio until graduating from high school. Her love for dance expanded to include ballet, jazz, and modern.
While in high school, Ashley was involved with the Metropolitan Ballet Wichita’s production of The Nutcracker, and had the opportunity to attend the Snowy Range Summer Dance Festival on the campus of the University of Wyoming.
Ashley stayed active with dance during her time at the University of Kansas by teaching at a local dance studio and taking dance classes at KU. Her Master’s education lead her back to Wichita and her original studio. She was able to balance achieving her Master’s degree with teaching dance classes and helping with the annual recital.
Ashley has enjoyed attending professional dance productions wherever she’s lived, including Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, the Republic of South Korea, and Kansas. She also stays busy with two active daughters, playing pickleball with her husband, and exploring hiking trails with her family and two dogs.
She is excited to be joining the EDA community, and is looking forward to teaching young dancers and watching them grow their self-confidence.
Meet Rose
Teaches Tumbling classes.
Rose Larrabee is a nationally certified personal trainer. She has worked in the health and fitness industry for over 15 years. In addition to personal training, Rose had instructed children’s tumbling and fitness classes for ten years. At present, Rose is a student at Metropolitan Community College, pursuing her degree in Physical Therapy as a Physical Therapist Assistant.
Rose’s hometown is in Oakdale, a city that lies in the Central Valley of California. As a child, she took ballet and gymnastics lessons. Once Rose entered her teen years, she began competitive cheerleading where she continued to utilize the skills acquired through ballet and gymnastics.
Rose lives in Platte City with her husband and three daughters. They enjoy frequent trips to visit their family in California as well as traveling to various places. In her free time, Rose enjoys candle making, nature walks, and spending time with friends and family.
Building confidence and compassion within the hearts and minds of children is an ardent desire that Rose is thrilled to impart to the children at Elements Dance.
