About our Studio
Raise the Stars Dance Collective is a new dance studio coming to Springtown, Texas opening in time for the of 2027-2028 season. This studio was born of a dream and realized by the presence of all of you! We can't wait to have you all as a part of our RSDC family!
Our Mission
At Raise the Stars Dance Collective, our mission is to nurture a lifelong love of dance creating a welcoming, small-town environment. Where every dancer feels seen, valued, an encouraged. We believe that growth comes through dedication, perseverance, and hard work. We are committed to helping each student build confidence, character and a strong work ethic both on and off the dance floor.
We strive to provide families with an exceptional supportive community where parents are valued partners, their voices are heard , and open communication is a cornerstone of everything we do. We want every family to feel confident entrusting us with their children, knowing they are cared for , challenged, and inspired in a positive environment where every dancer has the opportunity to thrive, shine, and reach their fullest potential.
At Raise the Stars, we're more than a dance studio, we're a family that celebrates every milestone, encourages every dream, and helps every child rise to become the star they were created to be
Meet Our Founders
Jenny Smith, Founder
I was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho as the middle of 5 children. We didn't have a lot growing up but being a performer came naturally to me. I was dancing from the time that I could toddle and by the time I found my voice, I was a self-appointed choreographer to all of my siblings (whether or not they we enthusiastic about it).
At the age of 19 I shocked everyone with the news that I had joined the Army National Guard, but, not at much as I shocked myself when I actually arrived bootcamp! I learned about overcoming obstacles and that we are all stronger than we believe ourselves to be. I proudly served 6 years and I even met my husband because of that decision.
Ted and I met during our deployment to Afghanistan in support of the 82nd and 101 Airborne Division. We got married a little over a year after our return home, and welcomed a baby boy almost exactly 9 months later. Not long after having our son, we relocated to the Salt Lake City, Utah area and I went on to pursue my next dream, graduating with my Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree From Utah Valley University (UVU). I was given the opportunity to work on all the different units at the hospital as a member of the resource pool, but my real specialty is cardiac (I guess I have heart in everything I do.)
We were blessed to welcome another child, a daughter into our family in 2022.
One year after having our daughter we relocated to Texas and quickly fell in love with Springtown. The community has quickly become a family to us and we could not be more at home here. We were blessed with our third child, another baby girl, about a year after settling here. Now that I have two little girls, twirling around my house, I quickly realize that dance was going to be a big part of my life moving forward, but I could have never imaged this! The little dancer that had quietly slipped into the background all those years ago, was now reignited by my daughters' own love of dance. I couldn't be more proud than to watch my daughter take her first dance class, and to see her watch the dancers perform on stage, and watch her discover what is possible. It has been such an incredible blessing!
We have also been blessed with an incredible teacher and partner in this journey, Makaylyn. her incredible heart for dance, love for her community, and love she has for each of her dancers is something I recognized immediately. I am so grateful for her joining me in this vision and helping to make it a reality. A dance mom myself, I know the behind the scenes moments of joy, exhaustion, meltdowns and high points that come along with this world. I want to thank you all for believing in your children and allowing them to follow their dreams. Thank you for the incredible support and community you have all blessed us with. We're proud to be a part of you all. I don't want our kids to simply shoot for the stars, I want them to Raise the Stars!
Makaylyn Glesne, Founder
Some dreams take years to recognize. Looking back, I can see that every season of my life was preparing me for this one.
My dance journey started at the age of four and has continued ever since,shaping me every step of the way. Throughout those years, I was dancing any chance I had. By the age of six, it's what people knew me for.Any time my cousins and I would get together, our favorite thing to do was choreograph dances and perform for our family. They may or may not have nightmares about me yelling "5, 6, 7, 8... DO IT AGAIN!" After many drill teams, private lessons, camps, and training, I thought my dance journey had come to an end with the Springtown High School Showstoppers. Little did I know, it was only the beginning!
I started coaching a youth drill team, and that's where I truly saw the magic in teaching dance to little souls. From there, I moved on to being a studio instructor, and that's where I met Jenny! God had every intention of crossing our paths.
What started as a dream has become something we are building together. Just two moms, and our Mighty King!
There is something incredibly special about building a dream in the very community that I grew up in. Springtown has been my home since 2008. I met my husband, Evan while both attending Springtown High School. After a short time away from home, we knew there was no better place to grow our family. We have two beautiful kiddos. A son that loves all things sports and our girl who has been busting moves since she was in my belly (I have proof)!
Becoming a mom changed the way I saw this dream. Watching my own daughter discover her love for dance has made me even more passionate about creating a place where children can experience the same joy, confidence, and sense of belonging that dance has given me. I want her to grow up knowing that she can dream something big, work hard for it, and create something meaningful for others.
I pray that Raise the Stars will be a place where dancers of any age can come into their very first class nervous and unsure, and eventually find their confidence. I want every dancer who walks through our doors to know they are loved, welcomed, encouraged, and capable of more than they may believe. My hope is that years from now, our dancers won't just remember the classes they took or the performances they were in. They'll remember the friendships they made, the teachers who believed in them, the moments they discovered their strength, and the feeling of having a place where they truly belonged. More than anything, Jenny and I strive to make Raise the Stars a place where children are given permission to dream big, work hard, and shine in their own way. A place where they can grow not only as a dancer, but as confident, kind, and courageous young people.
And maybe the most beautiful part of this dream is knowing that the little girl who started dancing at four years old never could have imagined where those first steps would lead. Now, I get to watch my own daughter take her first steps into the same world, while helping create a place for so many other children to take theirs.
Welcome to Raise the Stars Dance Collective. It is my greatest honor to build this dream with my family, with Jenny and her family, for your children, and for our community that we are so proud to call home.
