Kayla’s passion for dance began at age 4 and grew into a dream of owning a studio. Trained in various dance styles, she earned top awards and scholarships and led her high school dance team to a National Championship. As a senior, she taught high school teams nationwide with the National Dance Alliance (NDA). At the University of Kansas, she danced for four years and captained the nationals team in her senior year.

Kayla has been teaching and choreographing since she was 18, drawing inspiration from her past, art, music, and personal experiences. She believes in using dance as a storytelling medium to transform emotions into joy. Her goal at Apex is to create a welcoming environment where students feel at home and are encouraged to grow without harsh self-criticism.

At Apex, Kayla instills in her dancers the belief that any leap, turn, or extension is achievable with effort and intent. She focuses on the expressive power of dance, pushing her students to reach their highest potential by working hard and understanding the purpose behind each movement. Her dedication to her dancers goes beyond technique; she aims to build their character and ensure that dance becomes an integral, positive part of their lives.

Kayla envisions Apex as a place of inclusion, acceptance, and personal accountability. Her greatest joy comes from watching her students grow, witnessing their breakthroughs, and seeing them find happiness in their achievements. She is committed to fostering a supportive environment where dancers can flourish both as artists and individuals.

Alex’s journey in dance began at the age of 7, blossoming into a passion that led her to teaching by the time she was 16. Her formative years at Miller Marley School of Dance equipped her with a diverse skill set in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and musical theater. During this time, she performed nationally, including notable stages like The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and Disney Springs Stage. Her dedication also saw her participate in Miller Marley’s Ballet Company and her high school’s dance team, followed by a year with the JCCC Golden Girls.

At Apex Dance Academy, Alex fosters an environment where students not only learn technique but also discover their unique styles and capabilities. She takes pride in nurturing her dancers’ growth, crafting competition routines, and instilling the confidence to tackle new challenges. Her teaching philosophy centers on encouragement and empowerment, ensuring every student feels supported to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Alex’s commitment extends beyond dance; she aims to create a sanctuary at Apex where students feel accepted and inspired to embrace their individuality. Her own experiences as a young dancer drive her to provide the same encouragement and guidance she received, fostering a community where students thrive both artistically and personally.

Tori Matternas is thrilled to be joining Apex! An attorney during the business day, but dance teacher by night, she loves spending every free moment in the studio. Tori has been dancing since she was 3 and was a competitive dancer from the age of 5 all the way through high school. Since she grew up in a military family, Tori danced in studios all around the country, including California, Florida, Ohio, and Virginia. Tori believes this diverse training she received is her biggest asset as a dance teacher. Tori has been teaching dance and choreographing for 5 years with her choreography winning awards at numerous competitions and conventions around the country. Her favorite styles of dance are jazz, tap, and lyrical. Tori is eager and ready to get to work! 

Abby began dancing at the age of 3 and was a competition dancer for many years up until graduating high school. During her time as a competitive dancer, Abby trained in numerous styles including jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, modern, hip-hop, and musical theater. In high school, she was a part of the nationally ranked Raven Dance Team at Olathe Northwest, where she helped bring home three National Championships her senior year. Since she was 14, Abby has been teaching and choreographing in the Kansas City area. She continues to take classes as she is always striving to grow her craft. She has been with Apex since the beginning and aims to create a safe space for every dancer that works with her. Abby’s goal is to help fuel each student’s passion for movement and allow them the opportunity to grow into the best version of themselves both inside and outside the studio.