Faculty & Staff
Owner &
Artistic
Director
Mallory Watkins
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Kayla Wegley, Instructor
Kayla grew up in Ozark, Missouri, where she found her passion in classical dance training. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and earned her Undergraduate Research Certification 2017. In her time at KU she performed in guest residencies including LaneCoArts, Thodos Dance Chicago, ODC Theater, and under multiple faculty members with the University Dance Company. She served as Guest Artist Intern to the department, collaborated and performed in peer-produced shows, and pursued various choreographic endeavors. She produced “Alterity”, a curated concert on domestic violence, supported by the Undergraduate Research Center, School of the Arts, and Hall Center for Humanities. During her senior year she produced “Marginalia”, which debuted at Links Hall in Chicago, Illinois. Kayla currently works at the KU Department of Physics and Astronomy as their Undergraduate Coordinator, and is in her 2nd year of MBA studies. She joined Spotlight Dance in 2018, and has enjoyed teaching ballet, pointe, modern, and choreographing the annual Nutcracker production.
Owner &
Artistic
Director
Mallory Watkins
Kayla Wegley, Instructor
Kayla grew up in Ozark, Missouri, where she found her passion in classical dance training. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and earned her Undergraduate Research Certification 2017. In her time at KU she performed in guest residencies including LaneCoArts, Thodos Dance Chicago, ODC Theater, and under multiple faculty members with the University Dance Company. She served as Guest Artist Intern to the department, collaborated and performed in peer-produced shows, and pursued various choreographic endeavors. She produced “Alterity”, a curated concert on domestic violence, supported by the Undergraduate Research Center, School of the Arts, and Hall Center for Humanities. During her senior year she produced “Marginalia”, which debuted at Links Hall in Chicago, Illinois. Kayla currently works at the KU Department of Physics and Astronomy as their Undergraduate Coordinator, and is in her 2nd year of MBA studies. She joined Spotlight Dance in 2018, and has enjoyed teaching ballet, pointe, modern, and choreographing the annual Nutcracker production.
Morgan Mathews, Instructor
Morgan started dancing when she was just 3 years old. She grew up in Olathe, KS where she spent most of her time at the studio where she danced at the competition level. Morgan graduated from Kansas State University where she was a four year member and captain of the Classy Cat dance team. She received her master's degree from Arkansas Tech University where she was the head coach for the Golden Girls Dance Team. Morgan also worked for National Dance Alliance for 7 years. She traveled as a Head Instructor and Choreographer for high school and college camps all over the country. Morgan has been apart of the Spotlight family teaching jazz, hip hop, and pom since 2014.
Darian Bruch, Instructor
Darian began dancing at age 3 and competing as a member of the Starfire Dance Company at age 7. She is also a competitively trained gymnast and cheerleader. As a dancer, she has travelled throughout the United States performing, competing and choreographing. Darian was featured as a young dancer on Disney’s “Make Your Mark” and decided then that dance would always be an important part of her life. She was named Performer Of The Year and received many other honors including 4 year NCA All-American, 4 year NDA All-American and 4 year recipient of NDA Top Gun Leaps. She graduated from KU with a Degree in Exercise Science and a BA in Dance, she was a member of the KU Rock Chalk Dancers for four years where she served as line leader and chorography caption for her 4th year. She is currently an NCA Staffer and Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader. Darian also choreographs for several high schools and dance studios. Darian joined the Spotlight team in the 2017-2018 season and is excited to be teaching Jazz Technique, Dance Conditioning and Flexibility , Hip Hop and choreographing for our award winning competitive team!
Laurie Tyner, Instructor
Laurie began her gymnastics career at the age of 4. She competed competitively starting at age 8 and finished at Level 7 when she was 15. During her gymnastics career, Laurie loved tumbling on the floor and vault, where she placed 2nd at the state competition in 2002. Laurie joined the dance world after a serious back injury ended her 12 years as a competitive gymnast. Laurie was a member of the Ottawa Cyclonettes Dance Team where she was Captain for two years and was an NDA All American Dancer in 2006, 2007 and 2008. She also was the 2008 NDA Circle of Winners recipient. Laurie has enjoyed teaching gymnastics and choreographing dances on and off since 2006 at Ky’s Gymnastics, Twisters Gymnastics, Ottawa High School and Central Heights High School. Laurie went on to dance at Ottawa University where she majored in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood and the Fine Arts. Laurie is a kindergarten teacher at Central Heights Elementary School where she was also the dance coach for three years.
Laurie loves working specifically with small children and passing on her love of learning, kindness and the arts! Laurie resides in Ottawa with her husband David and daughter Annelise. Laurie is so excited to join the amazing SDA Staff!
Grace Snethen, Instructor
Grace began dancing at the age of 2. A couple of years later, she joined Spotlight Dance Academy the year we opened our doors. This is her 13th year with Spotlight. Grace has studied all genres of dance while under the instruction of the wonderful staff at Spotlight. She has been on the competition team since the age of 4 and has been a National Champion multiple times. She studied as an apprentice with Mallory for many years and has been an assistant teacher for the last few years.
Grace currently attends Ottawa High School and is also taking classes at Neosho County Community College. She was on the dance team for 1 year in High School, but soon came to realize how much she missed helping teach at the studio. She has been involved in multiple clubs and student council as well. Grace’s plan after she graduates is to continue teaching for Spotlight and to attend Neosho County Community College where she will study to become a Sonographer. She is so excited to share her passion for dance and to join the outstanding SDA Staff!
