About The Dance Refinery

The Dance Refinery offers recreational and competitive programs and private voice and acting lessons to students aged 15 months to adults. Established in 1976, we strive to provide students with a fun learning environment and connection to physical movement. Located in Indianapolis, IN, our skillful gymnastics, voice, and dance instructors work hard to educate and engage our students in the beauty of dance.
The Dance Refinery building exterior

Our Facility

The Dance Refinery is Indiana’s largest and most experienced dance and gymnastics facility! Our state-of-the-art 25,000 sq. ft. facility has six dance rooms, a complete gym, a snack bar, study hall, vocal studio, and an entire dance-wear store onsite, The Dance Depot.

Meet Our Instructors

Lynn Herrick - Executive Director

Lynn Herrick is the Executive Director of The Dance Refinery and has been teaching and performing for over 45 years. Her career has included ten years as a professional musical theater performer and choreographer, 26 years as a show choir choreographer, and 30 years of judging experience with various dance competitions and shows choir organizations. She has graced stages across the United States from New York City to her home in Indianapolis. She’s proud to be providing such training and opportunities for future generations right here in the Midwest.

When not at The Dance Refinery, Lynn likes to garner inspiration from live theatre around the Indianapolis area and frequents NYC to stay on the cutting edge of what’s new in performance art. She enjoys bold colors, sparkly nails, and late-night coffee. She is a mother of two and happily married to her delightful husband of 40 years.

Brianna Amspaugh - Dance Instructor

Brianna Amspaugh has been dancing since she was six years old, which paved the way into The Dance Refinery in 1997. From her first TDR recital performance in 1998, Brianna continued her dancing career at TDR in various dance and tumbling performing groups. At the age of 14, she also began assisting in dance and tumbling classes at TDR, which continued until her graduation from Center Grove High School in 2008.

Following high school, Brianna attended Ball State University, where she graduated with a major in Elementary Education, along with a minor in dance and Spanish. She currently teaches at Center Grove Elementary as a 4th Grade teacher. These days you can still catch Miss Brianna at the studio teaching, while also watching her daughter, Adalyn, take class!

Stephanie Anderson - Dance Instructor

Stephanie Anderson has been on faculty at The Dance Refinery since 2016 as a ballet instructor. She began her ballet training at The Dance Center in 1989 under the direction of Donna Muzio. She also had the privilege of training at several prestigious summer intensives, including the San Francisco Ballet and the Washington Ballet. 

Stephanie continued her dance training in 2001 at Indiana University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet in 2004. In addition to her ballet training, Ms. Anderson has a Master of Social Work from Washing University in St. Louis as an Indiana Licensed Clinical Social Worker. In addition to her faculty position at TDR, Ms. Anderson is currently the CEO of Resource Residential Treatment Facility, located in Indianapolis, IN.

Greg Apers - Tumbling and Gladiator Instructor

Greg Apers is a Detroit native that performed competitively in dance for 15 years. While earning his master’s degree at Wayne State University he taught at a local dance studio sharing his passion for tap, jazz, partnering and gymnastics. He has had the opportunity to perform in several countries and on Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas as part of a cultural exchange program. Greg is excited to share his experience with students at The Dance Refinery.

Julie Bandy - Dance Instructor

Collin Calhoun - Tumbling and Gladiator Instructor

Collin graduated in 2016 from Beech Grove High School where he participated in the marching band, show choir, theatre, and color guard. Collin joined The Dance Refinery as a student in the spring of his junior year in 2015 and went on to be part of AIM Sr. the next year. After his time as a student, he still enjoys being with the gladiators and helping them grow stronger every day.

Kevin Carmichael - Dance, Tumbling and Gladiator Instructor

Dance, Tumbling, and Gladiator Instructor Kevin Carmichael graduated from Indiana University with a Kinesiology and Contemporary Dance degree. While at IU, Kevin was cast to perform pieces choreographed by modern dance icons Bill Evans, Bella Lewitzky, Paul Taylor, David Parsons, and the internationally renowned Liz Lerman Dance Exchange. 

He was also a member of the Indiana University Coed Cheerleading Squad from 2007 to 2009. During his recent three year residency in New York City, Kevin was named “Choreographer of the Year” in 2012 and 2013, had choreography showcased at the Broadway Dance Center, “AIM Invitational,” at the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, and was the National Choreographer and Assistant Director for the Algy Costumes Dance Fashion Show. He has also performed as a backup dancer with C+C Music Factory to their chart-topping hit “Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” at the 80s Explosion Concert in Staten Island. 

Kevin currently lives in Indianapolis and continues to teach and spread his love for dance and gymnastics to his TDR students while also traveling around the country teaching master classes and directing convention events for Beyond The Stars National Dance Competition.

Breanna Davis - Dance Instructor

Breanna Davis is a Registered Dance/ Movement Therapist and Dance Instructor from Indianapolis, IN. She has a Master’s in Dance/Movement Therapy (psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual to improve health and well-being). Breanna loves to provide her knowledge of various dance styles and her therapeutic ideas of the mind-body connection to each dancer to encourage passion, fun, and hard work. 

Being at TDR has opened Breanna to multiple opportunities for growth in her choreography and teaching. With that growth, she started a new Adaptive Dance Program here at TDR geared toward people with disabilities who are looking for an outlet to make friends, work on gross motor skills, and have fun! Breanna continuously works to maintain a fun, cheerful movement environment that also allows space for emotional expression and working on individual specific movement goals.

Alyssa Farris - Office Manager

Alyssa (Friend) Farris became a student at TDR at the age of 9 and was a member of various dance performing groups, including AIM before graduating from Franklin Community High School in 1996.  Alyssa became an employee at The Dance Refinery at the age of 14 and has worked in various capacities ever since.  After graduation, Alyssa continued to work on all school breaks while attending Indiana State University, where she graduated with a degree in Quality and Decision Systems.  She travelled for one year as a traveling consultant for her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, and came home to continue her work with The Dance Refinery where she now serves as the Office Manager.  Alyssa loves spending time with her husband (Jason) and son (Ben) and is truly blessed to still be a member of the TDR family after 30+ years.

Alexis Apers - Dance Instructor

Alexis Apers is a Michigan native and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education from Oakland University. Alexis started dancing at the age of 3, and over the years, she found a passion for contemporary, lyrical, jazz, and tap. She has taught instructional and competitive classes for over seven years. Her competitive classes achieved platinum awards and choreography recognition. She has also had the opportunity to adjudicate at several dance competitions around the Detroit area. Alexis is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and passion with all the students at The Dance Refinery.

Taylor Griffin - Dance and Tumbling Instructor

Taylor Griffin, a cheerleader at the University of Indianapolis, has been a member of the TDR family for over 18 years. For six years, Taylor was a member of various dance and acro performing groups, including Aim Senior and A2F2. While performing at TDR, Taylor won numerous solo regional titles, participated in six opening numbers for Dynamite, Showstopper, and Nuvo Dance Conventions, and served in Butler University’s The Nutcracker for seven years. 

During her time in the company, she received ten national titles with her dance and acro groups. Taylor has been teaching at TDR for three years and loves working with young dancers to teach them dance and life skills. Taylor is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Management and Marketing, with intentions to continue to get her Masters.

Lori Hastings - Gymnastics Program Director

Gymnastics Program Director Lori Hastings has been coaching gymnastics for 20 years. She grew up as a competitive gymnast in Plainfield and was on the first-ever Roncalli High School Gymnastics Team. Her son, Isaiah, started taking lessons at The Dance Refinery in 2008 when they became members of the TDR family. Lori began teaching gymnastics at TDR in 2011 and became the Program Director in 2015. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and watching Isaiah perform on stage.

Nancy Martin Herrman - Dance Instructor

Nancy is originally from Grand Rapids; she spent her younger years training with Sally Seven and dancing with the Grand Rapids Civic Ballet Company. It was here that her love for ballet became her passion. From Corps work to soloist, from the yearly Nutcracker to Coppelia, she was blessed with the gift of ballet. Nancy attended Butler University, receiving a BA in Dance. While at Butler, she studied with Mr. William Glenn, Betty Gour, Marth Cornick, Bud Kerwin, and Peggy Dorsey. She has spent the last 35 years creating and implementing ballet programs for competitive studios in Indiana.

She has served as the principal instructor for ballet technique and pointe classes, director/choreographer of full-length ballet productions, and her students have earned national technique awards. Nancy feels so blessed to be able to share this gift, now with her 1 st students children, to watch so many grow from dance to performer, to teacher, still sharing the wonderful gift!

Margaret Hurrle - Dance Depot Staff

Margaret Hurrle is one of the best finds in The Dance Depot Margaret Hurrle is one of the best finds in The Dance Depot amongst the lovely dance and gymnastics we carry. After being born in Chicago and raised in Indianapolis, she gave birth to three beautiful daughters alongside her dear husband, John. Executive Director of TDR, Lynn Herrick, feels incredibly blessed to call Margaret her Mother. Grandmother to five beautiful grandchildren, three of whom were born in Canada, often heads north during her time off to visit her family. 

With over thirty years of experience, Margaret’s expertise perfectly sizes, fits, and assists our dancers and gymnasts. Her kindness and wisdom make her a common source of advice and positivity to everyone who walks the studio’s halls. Margaret is an extraordinary member of our TDR family.

Peggy Jeffers - Dance Instructor

Melissa Meyer - Dance Instructor

Melissa Meyer grew up dancing at TDR and received her B.A. in Dance with an emphasis in Modern & Jazz from Point Park University. She worked alongside Kiesha Lalama, Ron Tassone, Doug, and Judith Bentzhile assisting Billy Larson and Mark Marino at numerous competitive dance studios. Upon graduation, Melissa relocated to Las Vegas, working industrials, teaching workshops, choreographing, dancing in the American Dance Company, performing in the USA, Italy, and Spain. She was also an Announcer, Judge, and Regional Director for Dance USA and numerous other National Dance Competitions. 

One of her biggest honors was to be on the choreographic team to represent the USA at Prix de’ Italia and Prix de’ Espagna where they won The Crystal Cup four consecutive years in a row! Her choreography has been seen across the US, winning numerous overalls, titles, and choreography awards. Melissa is eager to make a difference at her “Home” studio, TDR!

Trish Roberds - Dance Instructor

Trish Roberds or “Miss Trish” loves working at The Dance Refinery! This is her fourth year teaching at TDR and 26th year teaching Dance overall. Thrush was a student at TDR throughout high school, and thanks to Miss Lynn for preparing her to major in Dance in college. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts from Butler University- Dance/Music major and theatre minor and was a member of the Butler Ballet, Show Choir PIZAZZ, and was a “Halftime Honey.” 

Trish danced professionally at Busch Gardens and IRT, has choreographed several seasons for the Indiana Pacers’ Junior Pacemates and Holiday Halftime shows, and currently choreographs for Footlite Musicals, Lawrence Central High School musicals, and Franklin Central High School choirs. 

When possible, Trish loves to travel to NYC and see as many shows as she can! Trish is the proud mother of Tara (Kyle), Amy (Stephen), and Danny and the “proudest grandmother ever” to Emma!

Lindsey Shaffer - Office Staff

Lindsey grew up dancing in Muncie, IN. She joined the TDR family 13 years ago when her daughter, Campbell, started taking tap and ballet lessons, two of her mother’s favorites. Since then, she has worked on numerous productions of “The Nutcracker” as the costume mistress, and she became a permanent staff member in 2018, spending her evening helping families at the front desk.

Her favorite part of the job is getting to know the students, both at the desk and during costume fittings. Lindsey loves spending time with her family, which includes two dogs and four cats, and she and her husband Ryan both enjoy watching their only child perform on stage, neither of them having ever missed a performance.

Sasha Simpson - Dance Instructor

Sasha Simpson started dancing at the age of six at a studio called Dance Connection, where she learned every style of dance and made several friends that turned into family. She then traveled to The Dance Refinery to finish out her dancing. She is highly thankful for the knowledge and growth she gained at TDR. Miss Sasha was a student and competitor in conventions and competitions, including; Showstoppers, Starquest, Star Search, Dynamite, Tremaine, Rainbow, Dance Educators of America, Groove, NDA, Tap Kids, and recently participated in a flash mob in Plainfield. 

Each convention she participated in gave the dancers a beautiful message: to always strive for your very best and not give up on dancing or in life. She now teaches Tap and Jazz. It has expanded her mind and allowed her to teach all ages. She believes that learning the art of dance is a beautiful experience and learning process. She plans to do her best at this art as her career choice.

Brian Wesselman - Gymnastics Team Instructor

Brian Wesselman is from Indianapolis, IN, and has been teaching at The Dance Refinery since 2012 as a competitive gymnastics coach, competitive dance instructor, and preschool/ recreational dance and gymnastics instructor. Currently, he coaches all events for the TDR women’s gymnastics team, levels two through seven. He has been a professional member with USAG since 2017 and has received certifications in coaching, first aid, and safety. Along with his USAG education, he has continued his gymnastics education by attending Indiana State Congresses, Region 5 Super Camp, local team camps, and Indiana coaches’ clinics. 

Along with his gymnastics and dance education, he received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Indiana University Bloomington and is currently a Juris Doctorate candidate at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where he is also a member of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society.

Peter Yao - Tumbling Instructor

Peter Yao, a native of Si Chuan, China, was trained in the Russian ballet style. He also studied Chinese classical and folk dancing,  European character dancing, and tumbling. Peter was the principal male dancer of the Tianjin Callet Company and the Beijing Central Ballet, performing in The While Haired Girl, Red Detachment of Women, and The Red Chamber Dream and performed feature roles in Swan Lake, Le Corsaire, Sylvia, and Mermaid. He joined the Indianapolis Ballet Theatre in 1985, where he performed as the Cavalier in The Nutcracker and the Prince in both Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. 

Highlights from his career include performing for American presidents Nixon, Ford, and George Bush Sr. His achievements include receiving the Outstanding Young Performer Award from the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China (1981).

Peter’s teaching experience began in 1970 with the Tianjin Ballet Company before becoming the Cambodian president’s son’s private ballet instructor. In 1974, Peter taught at the Beijing Central Ballet Company. He has been teaching at The Dance Refinery since 1998.

Photo Credit: Efren Herrera

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Business Hours
Monday-Thursday: 4 PM-9 PM
Friday: 4 PM-7 PM
Saturday: 9AM - 4PM
Sunday: Closed

Contact Us
Phone: 317-881-1905
The Dance Depot Phone:
317-882-3285
Email: thedancerefineryin@gmail.com

Dance Depot Hours
Monday- Thursday:
4:30 PM-9 PM
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 9AM - 3PM
Sunday: Closed