The Dance Authority Staff

Mindy Murphy

Mindy Murphy began her dance training in Omaha over 20 years ago. She has been extensively trained in ballet, lyrical, jazz, modern, and cheer/pom. She was a part of a National title winning cheerleading team in high school where she was a UCA All-Star and asked to be a part of the

Ali Larsen

Ali Larsen began dancing 20+ years ago in Edwardsville, IL and didn’t skip a beat after moving to Omaha where she danced at various local studios before finding a home at The Dance Authority. Ali was a 4-year member of the nationally ranked Millard West Dance Team and has had her fair

Deanna Lundin

Deanna Lundin has been with The Dance Authority since it’s opening in 2001. She grew up dancing in the Omaha area with a background in ballet, tap, jazz and tumbling. While in high school she competed in the Miss Dance competition for Dance Masters of America receiving a scholarship i

Darci Bray

Darci began dancing at the age of 3 and has been on the move ever since! She grew up dancing in Kansas City where she had the opportunity to compete locally, regionally and nationally with her studio. She danced for 4 years on the Varsity Dance Team in High School and was a member of

Megan Jones

Megan Jones began dancing at the age of 3 and continued her dance education by moving to The Dance Authority for its opening year in 2001 at the age of 5. She joined TDA’s Competition Team at the age of 12 and continued dancing competitively until she graduated in 2014. Megan has been

Jason Shimerdla

Jason Shimerdla has been on staff at The Dance Authority since 2001. Jason is one of the studio’s most highly requested teachers and works closely with many of our younger dancers. Jason began dancing at the age of 5 and has studied Jazz, Hip-Hop, Tumbling, Ballet and Tap. Prior to te

Jessica Raber

Jessica has studied all forms of dance for over 30 years. As a member of “Judy Bourn School of Dance” in Hartville, Ohio, she won hundreds of high score awards and titles as a soloist and group performer. Later, she was a member of the Cuyahoga Youth Ballet and studied at Ohio State U

Betsy Andersen

Betsy Andersen began dancing at age three. Her training is in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical and contemporary, but her main love is ballet! Betsy danced with the Lincoln City Ballet Company from 1987-1989 in Peter and the Wolf and The Wizard of Oz. She has danced with

Trisha Griffith

Hello! I would like to introduce myself. My name is Trisha Griffith, I am 34 yrs. old and I am married with 3 children. I have a strong gymnastics and dance background. I was involved in dance from the age of 7 till I was 12 yrs. old. I also was a competitive gymnast for years until I