INSTRUCTORS AND STAFF
LEXI GLOVER
Business Owner & Director
Lexi, Owner and Director of JPDC, is a highly respected dance educator with more than twenty years of experience, driven by an unwavering passion for fostering the growth of children through dance. A lifelong dancer, Lexi honed her skills from age three in Nebraska, progressing to an apprenticeship at a California Performing Arts Center where she achieved numerous scholarships and awards. Her professional performance credits include "Legends in Concert" in Branson, Missouri, and a distinguished two-year role as a Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader. During this time, she excelled as Co-Captain and was twice named Performer of the Year, also participating in an impactful "Variety Show" tour to Mexico City and a Mediterranean tour for the armed forces.
Lexi's choreography is consistently recognized for its excellence, notably receiving the Judges Choice Showmanship award for her hip-hop work at Tremaine Dance Nationals. She has significantly contributed to high school and college dance programs, including a ten-year coaching tenure with the Olathe East High School Talons Dance Team. Her commitment to mentorship is evident in the many dancers she has trained who are now thriving professionals on Broadway, in various theatre productions, and with contemporary dance companies. Beyond the studio, Lexi holds a black belt in Martial Arts. A dedicated wife and mother, Lexi is excited to continue building on the legacy of JPDC, providing exceptional training and inspiring youth through the transformative power of dance.
JODY PHILLIPS
Artistic Director
Jody Phillips began dancing at the age of 3 in Greeley, Colorado, where she studied tap, jazz, and ballet. She went on to earn a scholarship in Dance at the University of Northern Colorado and later became a company member of the Garlutzo Dance Company in Denver. As one of their primary choreographers in tap and jazz, she had the opportunity to perform with Olympic Gold Medalist Robin Cousins and numerous fitness and dance icons.
Her annual training trips to New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles allowed her to study with some of the most respected names in dance, including Gus Giordano, Broadway Dance Center faculty, Joe Tremaine, Doug Caldwell, Jo Rowan, Art Stone, Mia Michaels, Napoleon & Tabitha, Misha Gabriel, Merce Cunningham, and many more.
Over the past 40 years, Jody has established successful studios in Nebraska, Illinois, and Kansas. She has been recognized both locally and nationally for her excellence as a dance educator and choreographer, earning numerous choreography awards and accolades for her work in developing outstanding dance training programs.
Jody was honored to be one of only 23 Ambassadors for the Dance Teacher Summit, sponsored by Dance Teacher Magazine. The Summit is one of the nation’s leading conferences for teachers and studio owners, attracting over 1,800 attendees annually in New York and Long Beach. As an Ambassador, Jody shared her expertise with educators nationwide—covering everything from technical training to studio business practices. She also serves on the costume advisory board for a major costume manufacturer and has contributed to several Dance Teacher Magazinearticles.
Jody was awarded “Teacher of the Year” at the Tremaine Dance Convention’s National Gala in Orlando by Mr. Joe Tremaine himself—an honor bestowed on a handful of teachers nationwide. She is a member of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters (CNADM) and was recently recognized for 25+ years of service.
Her judging and consulting work spans collegiate and professional organizations, including Division I university dance teams and the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders. She has choreographed nationally televised halftime performances and collaborated with high schools across the Kansas City metro. Jody continues to serve as a judge for dance competitions throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Jody created “Today’s Talent Network”, a convention and competition opportunity for dancers and singers, bringing together top choreographers like Tabitha & Napoleon, Misha Gabriel, Nick Bass, JoJo Bolden, and Christina Woodard. The event, held on one of Branson’s most beautiful stages, offered students invaluable training and performance experiences.
She has developed hundreds of successful dancers and professionals. Her students have earned scholarships, performed for Disney, Las Vegas shows, cruise lines, international tours, TV and film, lead dancer in the prestigious Paul Taylor Company and Broadway. One of her creative ventures, the children’s sitcom “Just Kids Networking”, featured young dancers who later landed Broadway lead roles.
Jody’s choreography and her dancers from the Jody Phillips Dance Company (JPDC) have performed internationally, touring France, Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland. Nationally, JPDC has graced stages at Radio City Music Hall (NYC), Las Vegas, Branson, Orlando, and the Kauffman Future Stages in Kansas City.
In addition to studio success, Jody remains active in her community. She has choreographed musicals for middle and high schools, directed fashion shows and festivals, and contributed to large-scale productions like the televised KC Plaza Lighting Ceremony. Her philanthropic work includes performances for Light the Night (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society), Juvenile Diabetes, Juvenile Arthritis, and an annual toy drive supporting Operation Breakthrough for underprivileged children.
Her leadership experience also includes managing a news bureau for an NBC affiliate, serving on the Board of Directors for a Chamber of Commerce and local Arts Council, chairing United Way campaigns, and owning the consulting firm Phillips-Ward & Associates. She has twice been nominated as Small Business of the Year by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
Jody firmly believes that “Networking is the Key to Life” and works to provide meaningful opportunities inside and outside the studio for her students. She teaches them to be proactive, purposeful, and driven, inspiring them to pursue their dreams with confidence and resilience.
Her motto, “Making a difference in the life of a child through the art of dance,” is the foundation of her life’s work. Jody remains committed to building character, self-esteem, and discipline in children through high-quality dance education. Her legacy continues through the countless lives she has touched over her distinguished 40+ year career.
A devoted educator, mentor, and leader, Jody is proud to balance her professional life with her family, cherishing time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.
TARRAH LYBARGER
Competitive Director- Jazz Styles, Technique, Tap & Hip Hop
Kansas City native Tarrah Lybarger is a dance teacher, choreographer, and former professional dancer. She grew up dancing competitively and began teaching dance while in high school. Tarrah attended Park University and graduated with a degree in Organizational Communication and a minor in Education. While in college, Tarrah helped to start a dance program for children with special needs, where she taught classes weekly. This program still continues through Seamless Dance Theatre (Project Access). After she graduated college, she moved to California where she danced, trained, and taught while representing Go To Talent Agency. At just seven years old, Tarrah was picked to be on an ESPN special with Paula Abdul. Other performance credits include: Ginuwine’s Kansas City tour, Lonnie McFadden, Seamless Dance Theatre, various commercials, music videos with many artists, films, and experiencing Road to Buildabeast where she was offered a spot straight to finals for the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue Auditions. Tarrah’s favorite styles of dance are tap and jazz funk, but she is also trained in jazz, heels, hip hop, musical theater, lyrical, modern, contemporary, and ballet. She has choreographed and taught for many studios, dance teams, and professional shows as well as taught tap for Alvin Ailey Summer Camp. She was an assistant choreographer for In the Heights at MTH Theater. Tarrah was also a lecturer at the University of Kansas where she taught dance for their dance department. She has been recognized and her and her students have received many awards for her choreography/their performance of her choreography over the years. Her patience and the relationships she forms with her dancers is something very special. Her passion for both dance and teaching is unmatched.
AMANDA LANKFORD
Competitive: Ballet, Acrobatics, Tap & Contemporary/Lyrical
Amanda's lifelong dedication to dance began at age three in Des Moines, Iowa, leading to competitive training by age seven. Her comprehensive background spans over two decades, encompassing a wide array of dance disciplines including ballet, jazz, contemporary/lyrical, tap, musical theatre, hip hop, and acrobatics. Amanda further refined her artistry at the University of Kansas, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in May 2018. During her collegiate career, she was a featured performer in numerous university company and student-produced shows, gracing stages at the black box theatre on campus, the Lied Center of Kansas, the Lawrence Arts Center, and Links Hall in Chicago.
Following her graduation, Amanda relocated to Chicago, Illinois, to advance her professional career. There, she was a dancer with the Noumenon Dance Ensemble, performing at esteemed venues such as the Chicago Dramatists theatre. Complementing her performance work, Amanda also dedicated her time to teaching dance to youth, fostering the next generation of dancers. Currently, Amanda is a dancer with the Kansas City Contemporary Dance Company, where she continues to contribute her talent and passion. She also actively shares her expertise in dance and acrobatics as an instructor at JPDC.
BRIANNA THOMAS
Competitive Instructor: Ballet, Preschool Program, Tap & Jazz
Brianna Thomas graduated from Oklahoma City University with a degree in Dance Pedagogy, where she graduated summa cum laude and cum honore. She is excited to join the JPDC family, working with all ages in a variety of genres, spreading the love and joy of dance. In addition, she is the dance and color guard coach at Shawnee Mission West. Brianna has multiple years of experience in color guard, musical theatre, instrumental and vocal technique, and dance technique training. She has formerly danced with the American Spirit Dance Company and the Spirit of Grace Liturgical Dance Company at OCU. She is honored to be teaching and coaching in the Kansas City area, and becoming a part of the tremendous JPDC family.
WHITNEY KIESLING
Competitive Director & Office Staff
Ms. Whitney began dancing in Overland Park, KS at Miller-Marley School of Dance and Voice. She is trained in multiple disciplines including tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical and contemporary all the way through high school. She was a member of the Miller Marley Entertainers, lead choreographer of the Blue Valley North Stars Drill Team and a four year member and two year Captain of the Pittsburg State University Crimson and Gold Dancers. While attending Pitt State she began teaching tap, jazz and hip-hop for JPDC in Pittsburg. After graduating with her BA and MA in Communications she moved back “home” to Olathe, KS where she began teaching for JPDC in Overland Park in 2015.
TAYLOR BURD
Instructor & Office Staff
Taylor has always had a love for dance. She started dancing at the age of 3 at Miller Marley School of Dance and Voice in Overland Park and continued all through till she graduated high school. In college, after playing 2 years of basketball for McPherson College she transferred to Pittsburg State University where she was on the dance team for 2 years. While in Pittsburg she taught hip hop for the JPDC studio there. After graduating with her BA in Fashion Merchandising shesoftwave and her now husband moved back home to the Kansas City area. She always kept up with the dance world due to her sister and niece dancing with JPDC and when her daughter showed interest in dance she knew she wanted to get more involved. She now is so happy to be one of the office managers at the studio. She loves getting to work with all the dancers, their families, and the staff.
SARA JOHNSTON
Acro Specialist
Sara Johnston began acrobatic training and performing in exhibitions at the young age of 6 in Hawaii. At age 10 she began training competitively in gymnastics, which expanded to competing in many regional competitions, and competing on her high school gymnastics team. She was also a part of her high school dance team where she choreographed and performed acro stunts. During college she continued to dance at a private dance company in San Diego while attending San Diego State University. For the past decade she has been teaching and coaching acro and dance in San Diego, until her recent move to Kansas City. Sara’s passion is to be able to take each individual student at any level, from the very beginners to the more advanced, and excel to their next level while achieving individual goals. JPDC is excited to welcome Ms. Sara to our JPDC Family! She is very excited to be teaching at JPDC, as well as, have her daughter begin her dance training at JPDC!
CHARA MOCK
Ballet Academy Director
Ms. Chara is a native of New Orleans, trained intensively with Harvey Hysell and performed with the New Orleans City Ballet, Jefferson Performing Arts, Westbank Ballet Company, and the University of Kansas Dance Company at the University of Kansas, where she received her B.A. in Dance. She recently relocated back to Kansas after working with the New Orleans Ballet Association where she was the Education Coordinator managing educational programs for 9,800 youth annually, specializing in after-school dance programs for over 850 students in 11 locations, and directing the Pre-professional program and company. She has studied under Maestro Vincenzo Celli-former Master of Ballet in Milan, Diane Carney, Myra Mier and Jerel Hilding. She has been teaching for 17 years and release her children's book The Cajun Nutcracker in September of 2011.
KAREN KNOP
Modern, Lyrical, Jazz, Tumbling
Ms. Karen received a BFA in Dance with an emphasis in modern from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. She has had the pleasure of performing with local Kansas City companies Seamless Dance Theater and Quixotic Performance Fusion. Through Quixotic she has been able to work with many of the Kansas City Ballet performers, including Kim Cowen, Andrew Lamar, and Lateef Williams as well as So You Think You Can Dance choreographer Sonya Teyah. She was also given the opportunity to choreograph on Quixotic in the summer of 2009. With Seamless, Karen was given the opportunity to travel to the Capezio A.C.E. awards, where they competed against choreographers from across the country, such as Travis Wall. Karen is still in the performance company with Seamless Dance Theater, which was honored as one of the “Best of Fringe” in the summer of 2011. Her choreography at Jody Phillip's has been awarded at numerous competitions for both group pieces and solos. As always, she’s extremely excited to get started this year!
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ASHLEY HILL
Technique, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop
Coming from an extensive background in all types of dance, we’re thrilled to have Ashley as an essential member of the Dance Company. Ashley started her dance education at Leigh’s School of Dance from age 3. She started competitive dance at age 7 and competed until age 18. She was an Olathe East High School Talon all 4 years of High school. While on the team, she was awarded numerous awards and achievements. After High School she started her passion for teaching. She was apart of Johnson County Community College Golden Girls in college. She haves been the coach to many junior high schools and was the head JV dance coach at Olathe West High School. Her passion for dance will never end. She's love seeing kids grow their passion for dance and achieve their goals.
ALLISON HAGGARD
Hip Hop/Tap/Jazz
Miss Allison trained at Jody Phillips Dance Company and traveled the country with Tremaine Dance Convention as a teaching assistant. She graduated from Olathe East High School at age 17 and relocated to LA to pursue the dream of being a professional dancer. For the next 10 years, she had the opportunity to showcase her talent in movies, documentaries, music videos, live performances, and photoshoots. Miss Allison was blessed to work with companies such as Coca-Cola, Sony, Mini Cooper, T-Mobile, Tik-Tok, Nickelodeon, and more. She has danced with artists such as Chris Brown, Tisha Campbell Martin, Nick Cannon, Becky G, Tori Kelly, and more. She truly loves to dance and is excited to share her experience with the next generation of dancers!
MADDIE PHILLIPS
Jazz & Technique
Coming from an extensive background in all types of dance, we’re thrilled to have Maddie as an essential member of the JPDC. Being a JPDC alumni student, Maddie's is trained in all genres of dance. She is a graduate from the University of Missouri and was a member of the prestigious Golden Girls Dance Team. Her passion for dance continues as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders. She is excited to come back home where her dance journey began and instill the love of dance and performance in a new generation of JPDC dancers.