Ignite Dance Company (IDC) is a relatively new studio in Waco, Texas. They offer recreational and competitive classes. Their studio began with mostly competitive dancers, but their recreational enrollment has grown every year. When Lezley Meyer, Company Director and Choreographer, founded IDC in 2011, her goal was to open a studio that offered both ends of the spectrum. IDC’s recreational students have the option to eventually audition for IDC’s competition company, if that is their goal. IDC strives to keep a structured environment while also making everyone feel like they are family. Dancers must feel comfortable, while understanding the structure of a dance class. Ignite is more than a dance studio, it is an extended family.
IDC trains dedicated, young dancers in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap and Street Styles. IDC aims to develop young dancers’ self-awareness, muscle control, strength, grace and artistry. Lezley Meyer, Waco’s premiere choreographer leads her companies to the finals of Nationals; competitions annually. Her choreography has won first place championships in Daytona Beach, Los Angeles Las Vegas, Chicago, Dallas and Kansas City.
They also offer classes for those not interested in the competition scene: Pre-school classes, “Mommy and Me” classes, Beginner through Intermediate classes. Classes are open to ages 10 months through 18 years old.
According to Lezley, the largest difference between their studio and the others in Waco, is that IDC competes on a National level. While all of the studios in Waco have their strengths, IDC’s strength is to push the dancer outside of their comfort zone. They encourage their students to attend conventions, intensives, and competitions in other areas of the country. They travel outside of the state of Texas every 3 years for a National final event. Lezley believes 
that dancers need to be exposed to as many styles and teachers as possible. She also believes that growth will only come when they take a chance and believe in themselves.
Lezley says that she cannot think of a specific time that was her proudest moment. She is proud each and every time she sees growth. When she sees a dancer finally “get it,” she is filled with pride. She knows that what she is teaching is sinking in and they are actually listening.
Lezley has been teaching Jazz, Lyrical, and Ballet for 27 years. She began her dance training with Jody Grant, and began teaching at the age of 16. Lezley danced professionally in Branson, Missouri, but returned to her love of teaching after just a few years of performing. Her heart was always in the dance studio. Lezley has been a staff member at Destination Dance (in Los Angeles) , and Adrenaline Remix (nationwide). She judges for many regional and national competitions and enjoys teaching master classes and sharing her choreography nationwide. Lezley’s choreography has received national awards and recognition. Many of her students have pursued successful careers in the industry as performers and instructors. Lezley is also a certified personal trainer and is an instructor for TF Bootcamp and provides both private and group training.
Lezley thinks the biggest mistake she sees dancers make is becoming complacent. When you feel like you know all there is to know, or you are the best and you don’t have to push yourself anymore, you stop progressing. She sees it time and time again. A dancer with “natural” talent getting passed up by
a dancer that wanted it more.
Her goals are to continue to grow IDC’s recreational enrollment at the studio and to continue to better herself as a teacher. She has been teaching for 27 years and knows she still has so much to learn. She said, “The day that I feel like I know it all is the day I need to hang up my leg warmers.”
Lezley began dancing when she was only three years old. Her entire life, she knew she wanted to teach and own a studio.
Ignite Dance Company brings in master teachers from across the country as well as from their area of the state as guest teachers. She believes that it is great to bring in teachers from studios that they compete against. It helps to show their dancers that they are all in this together. They can learn from every teacher that touches their life. They can learn from every dancer that walks on a competition stage or enters a convention ballroom. Open your eyes and hearts and take it all in. Lezley says that every class, teacher, and fellow dancer is a gift.
If you would like more information about Ignite Dance Company, visit their website at http://www.ignitedanceco.com, call them at 254-235-2332 or email them at lezley@ignitedanceco.com.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Lezley Meyer of Ignite Dance Company.
Written By Cyndi Marziani
Owner
BDancewear.com
