Ashley Taylor

Ashley has been dancing since the age of three years old. She grew up participating in numerous dance competitions winning many awards and scholarships throughout the years. After graduating high school she moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue a dance career. She worked with many famous choreographers and even participated in music videos. However, in 2017 God shut the door in California and had other plans for Ashley's life. She started attending Bayside Community Church where she was able to combine her love for God with her love for dance. She has choreographed numerous dance productions for church events with audiences of thousands of people. This gave Ashley a deeper meaning and purpose for her passion of dance. In October of 2023 Ashley decided to open up Inspiration Dance Company to create a space where dancers could be a part of a safe environment, receive high level training, and have an outlet to express themselves. Ashley still has dreams for the future, but she is so thankful with where God has her now.

Josi Esdelle

Josi Esdelle began dancing when she was four years old and has been passionate about performing arts ever since!  From childhood through her teen years she was dancing, singing, performing in plays at church and school, and was becoming most passionate about working with children.  Her heart to love and pour into the lives of children began at an early age and she has 30 years of experience working with kids and families in several different ministry and teaching capacities. After a long break from dancing in a studio, Josi stepped back into the dance world in 2011 while living in Maryland as an assistant teacher, which led to lead teaching roles as well as being one of the studio directors for the next 8 years. 

While she has taught from ages 18months-16 years old, she has found her sweet spot and passion is to teach toddlers and young dancers. She uses creativity, fun and imagination to bring dance to life for little ones.  She desires to spark creative passion in them while helping them grow emotionally, socially and spiritually.  She has taught in Bradenton teaching PreK dancers the last couple of years, and loves leading the PreK program at Inspiration. Josi has lived all over the country, and has lived in FL for the past 3 years and loves it! Her and her husband have 3 kids, and their life is kept full while they work in ministry and she runs her photography business serving families. 

Makayla Lane

MaKayla Lane was born and raised in Dallas, Texas where she found her love for dance at the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts. She then attended Point Park University where she earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts in spring 2023. During her time at Point Park, she has performed in various works by Jason McDole, Jesse Factor, Kiesha Lalama, Kiki Lucas, and others. While in Pittsburgh, she also took part in events within the community. She has performed with the Pittsburgh CLO, Botanic Gardens, and the world renowned Pittsburgh Steelers. As much as she loves the stage, she also loves to teach and choreograph. Working with Dance Masters in 2022 as well as various studios around the area, MaKayla has been able to inspire many young dancers. After graduation, MaKayla moved to Saint Petersburg to expand her artistic talents as a dancer, instructor, and choreographer. She has joined Sarasota Contemporary Dance as a Company Member, Teaching Artist, and the Administrative Team for their 18th Season. MaKayla has had the pleasure of joining the community as a teacher at Inspiration Dance Company. She is passionate about inspiring others and will continue to do so through her artistic voice.

Lexy Baker

Though Lexy trained for years in Tap, Jazz, HipHop, Modern, and Contemporary, her passion and focus is Ballet. Lexy started at a young age training often 7 days a week. She moved to full time to a pre-professional conservatory based program, then moved to Sarasota to train further with the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School. She was a trainee with Gulfcoast Studio Company and has had the honor to perform original choreography and collaborate with professional artists in various performances. When she teaches her students she wants to help them develop transferable life skills such as discipline and focus in addition to beautiful ballet technique. Lexy wants them to enjoy the art of ballet and feel proud of their progress.  The technique and strength they develop in ballet will greatly enhance what your student does in all other dance forms and help them shine when they compete.

Lexi Kalantzis

Lexi is a local of Sarasota, Florida, and has been involved in the entertainment industry since she was just 17 years old. She grew up in the creative and competitive dance scene which led to her artistic way of thinking. She began dancing at the young age of 2 and is adverse in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Acrobatics, Contemporary, Lyrical and Hip Hop. Lexi has been a dance instructor for over 10 years and was a Dance Studio Director for 4 years. She has since worked for big names such as The Walt Disney World Resort Company, Feld Entertainment and LIFE SURGE. Lexi has taken many master classes. She has also worked with several dance competitions as a judge, adjudicating routines and managing backstage as their backstage manager and tabulator. She loves connecting with all the dancers before their routines and helping them get pumped and ready to perform! She has a BA in Communications with a concentration in Culture & Media from The University of South Florida. When she's not dancing she loves to spend time at the local beaches and enjoys spontaneous trips to Disney with her family and friends. 

Kevin Haynes

Kevin Haynes is a professional hip hop dancer and choreographer with over 10 years of experience. He’s performed for the NBA’s Orlando Magic, choreographed for national tours, and worked with artists like Donready, Caleb Gordon, and J Melly. Kevin is also a man of faith, and the founder of his own dance ministry, where he combines his love for movement with his heart for God. Whether he’s on stage or in the studio, Kevin brings energy, passion, and purpose to every class.

Abby Fleming

Abby Fleming began her training at the age of 12 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with Katya and Arkadiy Orohovsky at South Mississippi Ballet Theatre. Abby competed at YAGP finals in New York City. Abby trained at the Sarasota Ballet School, and at 18 became a trainee with Oklahoma City Ballet. The following year, she was promoted to Studio Company and remained there for 2 years. She then studied at Sarasota Cuban Ballet School and was accepted as a company dancer with Gulf Coast Company of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School for 3 years. She was a company dancer for 1 year with Manassa Ballet Theatre and is currently a company dancer with Gulf Coast Company in Sarasota. Abby has studied at American Ballet Theatre, Nutmeg Conservatory, Bolshoi Academy New York, Sarasota Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, and Sarasota Cuban Ballet School. Abby has performed in many ballets, including La Esmeralda, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Napali, Coppelia, Swan Lake, La Vivandiere, Tarantella, Don Quixote, Firebird, and many more. Abby has danced roles such as, Esmerelda, Princess Florine, Aurora, Sugar Plum, Dew Drop, Swanhilda, Kitri, and many more. While dancing with Gulf Coast Company, Abby has performed traditional Cuban ballets, including Esperanza in Tarde en la Siesta and principal role in Majisimo.  Most recently, Abby was invited to perform with Ballet Nacional de Costa Ricain Costa Rica. Abby was also invited in 2024 to perform four little swans with Central New York Ballet in New York.

Astrid Westerfield​

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Astrid began her ballet training at the age of four. In addition to ballet, Astrid has trained and competed in various styles of dance such as tap, jazz, contemporary, modern, and acrobatics along with attending summer intensives from American Ballet Theatre, Cecchetti Council of America, and The Washington Ballet. Astrid has performed in soloist roles such as Queen of Dryads from Don Quixote, Dew Drop Fairy from The Nutcracker, The Scottish Doll in Coppélia, Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, Renfield in Dracula, and more. Astrid has collaborated with professional companies such as Salt Creek Ballet, Nacional Ballet de Costa Rica, City Ballet of San Diego, and Tania-Vergara Dance Theater. Along with collaborations, Astrid has choreographed individual contemporary pieces and an original group piece in 2025 with inspiration from American choreographer, Bob Fosse. Astrid is currently in her fourth season as a dancer with the Sarasota Cuban Ballet.