Inspire Dance Company, Dance Toledo, Inspire Dance Toledo, Dena Monroe,Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Company, Dance Sylvania

Our community and young generation are screaming for a radical change and a vision to take on the challenge. At IDC it is our aspiration to impact others from the inside out, using dance as a medium, to impart the adoration of the arts, excellence in dance education, health and well-being.

Inspire Dance Company is a place for the V.I.P (Values the arts, Inspires others, Preserves) We offer a positive experience in a 2,000 square foot studio setting that allow children a place to escape to their dreams. Inspire Dance company will present a broad range of opportunities for students at various levels. Our company will offer pre-ballet and tap for young dancers ages 3-5. Recreational classes in tap, jazz, theatre dance, lyrical, contemporary, modern, hip hop, Irish, and belly dance are available to dancers at any age or level. In addition to our recreational classes, an elite pre-professional program for the experienced dancer will be established. These select dancers will train for 5-6 hours per week and will be given the exciting opportunity to attend conventions with national renowned dancers and attend regional and national competitions. In addition, the pre-professional dancers will perform locally at community events. Auditions for the elite pre-professional team will occur September, 2009.

Cathy Roes Choreography Award WINNER!

Top Teacher award WINNER


Massage Therapy	Freelance Choreography	Wedding/Group Dance Lessons	Private Lessons	Space Available for Rent

Become a leader in the dance industry by providing the highest quality dance education and positive learning environment for all ages. Our commitment ensures that each class will furnish an affirmative and memorable experience, giving dancers a professional atmosphere in which to showcase their technique, talent, and personality. Together, we will change the world through the love of dance one person at a time!

MISS DENA MONROE,
Artistic Director

Miss Dena is an extraordinary, phenomenally talented, performer, choreographer, and dance instructor. She has performed in the largest film and TV studio in the world, the entertainment powerhouse, Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.While living in Orlando, Dena was granted a business internship at the ever enchanting Walt Disney World. This experience advanced her knowledge of commerce, trade, and entrepreneurship. In addition, Miss Dena trained with master dancer and choreographer, the amazingly talented, Glenn Douglas Packard. Glen’s impressive resume includes the honor of an Emmy nomination for his artistic direction in Michael Jackson’s 30th Anniversary celebration. Dena has also served as the exclusive choreographer for a select performance by Jerry Lewis’ daughter, Montana.

Nationally, she provided dance instruction at Plumb Performing Arts Center which is considered to be one of the finest dance companies in the Phoenix, Arizona valley. This experience allowed her the opportunity to train and choreograph with many distinguished dancers. Locally, she spent four years as the Assistant Director and Competition Director at a promising academy of dance. This leadership position led to recognition as outstanding choreographer at many national and regional competitions throughout the United States including: Cathy Roe's Ultimate Choreography Award and New York City Dance Alliance’s Critic’s Choice Award. She has a tremendous love for children and the unique gift of drawing out each dancer’s individual best. Miss Dena has a heart of gold and a passion for dance that is unstoppable.

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Inspire Dance Company owner and artistic director, Dena Monroe chose the name of her business on the night her beloved Aunt Val passed away from breast cancer. “My Aunt Val was never able to have children on her own,” remembers Dena, “So, she treated me like her daughter. She had a huge impact on my life – she made me into a strong woman.”

A few months before her aunt’s death, Dena had made the decision to leave her dream job as a competition director in Phoenix, Arizona in order to stay by her aunt’s side. “It was my dream job, but I had to come back because she meant so much to me…Even when she was going through chemotherapy and radiation - Aunt Val was strong. She told me, ‘Whatever God’s will is God’s will.”

In the moments after her aunt passed away, Dena says her life’s mission crystallized: “Right then I knew that life was too short and that I could change the world if I could have an impact on just one child, like the kind of impact Aunt Val had on me. I named my studio ‘Inspire Dance Company’ because my Aunt Val inspired me. She loved children, dancing and music. Her legacy will live on through the children here.”

An Oregon native, Dena began dancing at three years old. At 10 years old, Dena was a teaching assistant under her mentor, Kelly Melanowski, at Dance Concepts. After graduating from Clay High School in 2000, Dena went to Ohio University where she was one of the first freshmen in school history to make the university’s dance team. “I remember praying, ‘God, if you let me make this dance team, then I know I am supposed to be a dancer for the rest of my life.’” After a year at OU, Dena came home and enrolled at the University of Toledo and went to Walt Disney World for a business internship in 2001. Over the next four years, Dena would dance for both Disney and Universal Studios and have the opportunity to work with many well-known celebrities.