“Behind every dancer is a parent making it all happen. You deserve support, too.”
About Me
Hi, I’m Ashley
Welcome! I’m Ashley Gorden—wife, mom of six, and dance studio director for over 20 years. I’m also a proud support system to four of my own dancers, each on their own unique journey.
A couple of years ago, I realized that my favorite part of running the studio these days is getting to share my dance mom experience, tips, and tricks with our current dance parents. I started hosting casual coffee chats where parents could come and ask anything that was on their minds, and I quickly realized just how valuable a little insight can be to a parent who didn’t grow up in this industry and is trying to navigate it for the first time alongside their child.
As a studio owner, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside hundreds of dance families on their dancers’ journeys. I learned early on that a dancer’s success is, more often than not, determined by their parents’ approach—not the studio, not the classes, not the competitions, but the way parents engage with and support their dancers. That is admittedly a lot of pressure to put on well-intentioned parents, but after years of observing different parent-child dynamics, I’ve learned that there really is a secret sauce, and I’ve been using it successfully in my own home for over a decade.
As a dance mom, I’ve raised a dance boy, dance girls, classical-focused, commercial-focused, and recreational dancers. My high school-aged son is studying away from home at one of the country’s most coveted ballet programs. My second-oldest daughter is pursuing her BFA in dance at a top university. I have one dancer who is flying by the seat of her tutu while marching to the beat of her own drum, and the baby of the family was gifted the best legs—and just a little natural work ethic to go with them.
Throughout my many years of loving this art form, I’ve gained a multitude of perspectives and more experiences than I could have imagined. I would love to get to know you and be a resource as you navigate this amazing season of life, supporting an emerging artist. Dance is truly one of God’s greatest gifts. Raising our children in it with intention is a magnificent calling, and as they say, it takes a village.