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Business Spotlight: Elevate Dance Collective Begins Its Founding Season in Salina

August 2, 2026

Owner Megan LePage Opens New Studio Focused on Technique, Confidence and Community

A lifelong passion for dance has grown into a new Salina business for Megan LePage, owner and founder of Elevate Dance Collective.

The new studio is preparing for its inaugural Founding Season with a competition-focused program designed to provide young dancers with technical instruction, performance opportunities and a supportive place to grow.

For LePage, opening the studio represents the fulfillment of a dream that began when she first stepped into a dance class at the age of five.

“I wanted to create a place where dancers could receive exceptional training while feeling supported, encouraged and truly valued,” LePage said.

That vision became Elevate Dance Collective.

A Lifetime Dedicated to Dance

LePage began competing at the age of seven and spent her elementary, middle school and high school years training and performing at an advanced level.

She trained for 11 years at Prestige School of Dance in Salina under the direction of Kristal Venters. During her final two years of high school, she continued her training with Renee Huber at Renee’s Dance Academy.

Throughout her competitive career, LePage studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop. She also trained with choreographers and dance professionals from across the country.

Her competitive experiences took her to regional and national events, where she earned overall awards, scholarships and titles. She received national titles while competing in Orlando, Florida; Branson, Missouri; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

LePage said those years helped teach her the value of preparation, perseverance and continued improvement.

From Student to Teacher

LePage began student teaching during her junior year of high school, working alongside instructors while learning about lesson planning, classroom management and dance education.

It was during that experience that she discovered how much she enjoyed helping younger dancers improve their skills and gain confidence.

LePage has now spent more than five years teaching dancers of different ages and experience levels. She also choreographs competitive routines for studios throughout Kansas.

Her choreography has received overall placements, judges’ awards and other honors at regional and national competitions.

LePage also serves as head coach of the Abilene High School Dance Team, where she works with students on performance, teamwork, leadership and school spirit.

For the past three years, she has also worked backstage for Prestige National Talent Competition. The role has allowed her to assist dancers and studios while learning more about how regional and national competitions operate behind the curtain.

Building Elevate Dance Collective

After years of teaching, coaching and choreographing, LePage developed a clear vision for her own program.

She wanted Elevate to offer serious dance training without losing the personal relationships and positive culture that can make a studio feel like home.

Elevate Dance Collective launched with a competition-focused program that includes instruction in:

Ballet

Jazz

Tap

Lyrical

Hip hop

Competition choreography and rehearsals

The studio will also offer guest instructors, specialty training opportunities and a program known as Performance Lab.

Performance Lab focuses on the physical and technical elements that support a dancer’s overall development, including strength, flexibility, turns, leaps, endurance, injury prevention and performance quality.

LePage said every class is designed to have a clear purpose and help dancers move toward their individual goals.

Lessons That Extend Beyond the Studio

Although dance technique is central to Elevate’s program, LePage believes the lessons students learn can extend well beyond rehearsals and performances.

“Dance teaches far more than choreography,” LePage said. “It teaches perseverance, responsibility, teamwork, confidence, discipline and respect. My hope is that every dancer leaves not only as a stronger performer, but as a stronger person.”

That philosophy is reflected in the studio’s slogan:

Move. Inspire. Elevate.

LePage said the three words represent the environment she hopes to establish.

Students will be encouraged to move with purpose, inspire one another and elevate themselves through intentional training, meaningful relationships and consistent effort.

She also wants dancers to understand that their value is not determined by a trophy, placement or performance.

“Every class has a purpose, and every dancer has a purpose,” LePage said.

Welcoming Salina Families

Elevate Dance Collective welcomes both male and female dancers who are interested in learning, competing and becoming part of the studio’s Founding Season.

LePage said she hopes to build a community where dancers and their families feel connected from the beginning.

Her goal is to create a studio where students can develop strong technical foundations, form lasting friendships and discover what they are capable of accomplishing.

For LePage, Elevate Dance Collective is more than a new business.

It is the result of years spent learning in studios, performing on stages, coaching teams and helping young dancers find their confidence.

Now, she is ready to begin the next chapter by building a dance community of her own in Salina.

elevatedancecollective

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Salina311’s Business Spotlight series highlights locally owned businesses, entrepreneurs and organizations investing in Salina and the surrounding community.