Photos By Philip koenig

Shelby has been a dancer for 20 years, training in multiple different styles. She was a competition dancer, winning many prestigious titles, awards and scholarships from notable competitions, conventions, and teachers like Stacey Tookey, Caroline Lewis-Jones, Chris Jacobson, and Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo. She is currently a company member and media director of professional dance company, Kansas City Contemporary Dance where she has performed as a chorus member and soloist, along with choreographing for them. She is also the owner and competition director of Westside Dance Company and Assistant Dance Team coach at Indian Trail. Shelby has worked professionally with Melissa Thodos and Laura Gates of Thodos Dance Chicago and has danced in their touring show, performed in Modern Night at the Folly,  danced alongside Kansas City Aerial Arts, and was in a music video with local artist “Of Tree.” Shelby has choreographed for multiple studios in the Kansas City area and has been recognized for her work prior to opening Westside where she has continued to win choreography awards. She has also choreographed for local high school dance teams and their soloists. Shelby graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelors in Dance, where she was a part of Unity Hip Hop Crew, Rock Chalk Revue, and the University Dance Company. She has worked under many choreographers, including but not limited to, Sonya Tayeh, Fred Odgaard, Brooke Pierotti, and Ryan Warren. Shelby has judged various dance competitions across the United States. Shelby has a great passion for dance and loves to perform and be at the studio every night with her students.