ABOVE THE BARRE FACULTY
Jennifer Jarman
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I began dancing at the age of 6 and competed locally and nationally in Missouri and Kansas. Growing up dancing in Kansas City, I have enjoyed the opportunities to perform at Starlight Theater, Worlds of Fun, as well as during half time at numerous Chiefs games. I spent all of my summers in high school taking class at Edge Performing Arts Center in LA, Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center in New York. My senior year I was awarded the "Dance with the Force" scholarship at Edge where I studied with artists such as Dee Caspary, Mandy Moore, JT Horenstein, Terri Best, Doug Caldwell, Justin Giles, Mark Meismer, Adam Parsons, Ray Leeper, and Mia Michaels.
I graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City with a Bachelor in Fine Arts majoring in Modern and Ballet. I was given the opportunity to perform as a lead in Robert Battle's, (Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey Dance Theater) "The Hunt". During college I performed locally with Seamless Dance Theater and also expanded my education, traveling to Chicago as much as possible. I took many classes and intensives with River North, Hubbard Street, and Deeply Rooted.
Most of my free time my husband Lee and I are watching our 3 girls Nora, Lyra, & Vega dance on stage; but we also enjoy relaxing in our own backyard or out on our family's farm!
Danielle Newell
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Danielle earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography from the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri- Kansas City in spring of 2019, where she rigorously studied in both Ballet and Modern. In addition to her technical training at the university, Danielle has also spent three seasons performing with Seamless Dance Theatre and one season with Störling Dance Theatre. During the summers Danielle has performed and trained with companies such as, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, Axis Connect, Mutual Dance Theatre, and Royal Flux. Not only does she have a deep passion for training and performing, but she also a love for teaching.
Danielle is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique and has been an instructor at Above the Barre Dance Academy since 2015. She has expanded her passions in 2021 and founded her own business, Meant Dance Project and has worked with many local dance teams, training, choreographing and hosting events. Shaping young artists and watching her students expand their knowledge and training is one the greatest joys Danielle has found in her career.
Outside of the studio, Danielle loves to spend time with her German Shepard, Dutch, and husband, Hunter. Hitting up any home decor store, traveling to the coast and crafting with friends are what you can find Danielle doing in her free time. Her passion for life brings her clarity as an artist and educator and is focal point of her teaching philosophies.
Sarah McGuyer
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Sarah McGuyer is a Kansas City-based freelance professional dancer, choreographer, and dedicated dance educator. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of Missouri–Kansas City in May 2024. Before college, Sarah trained for eight years at Above the Barre Dance Academy, where she now proudly teaches and inspires the next generation of dancers.
Sarah is currently a company member with Wylliams Henry Contemporary Dance Company. Her professional performance credits include appearances at Yardley Hall for New Dance Partners, KCRep’s Spencer Theatre in “Rhapsody,” “Allure” at Hotel Kansas City, and Dance in the Park’s 25th anniversary performance. She has also performed with Owen/Cox Dance Group at the Pilgrim Labyrinth, Moo Contemporary Dance Company for KC Fringe Festival, and in site-specific works at venues including the Kemper Museum, Lawrence Performing Arts Center, and Newman Performance Hall.
Sarah has graced the stage at Musical Theatre Heritage as a lead in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Song & Dance, and performed Merce Cunningham’s Doubles with the Merce Cunningham Trust at Charlotte Street Foundation. At UMKC, she danced regularly in the renowned “Crescendo” concerts held at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
Throughout her career, Sarah has trained with and performed under the direction of choreographers including Jae Man Joo (Complexions), DeeAnna Hiett (Alvin Ailey), Kameron Saunders, Gary Abbott (Deeply Rooted), and Omar Román De Jesús (Boca Tuya), performing soloist roles in several world premieres. She has also broadened her training through national intensives at Nashville Ballet, Steps on Broadway, Gibney Dance, Peridance Center (NYC), Visceral Dance (Chicago), and Whim W’Him (Seattle).
With a passion for both performing and teaching, Sarah has been instructing dancers since high school. She is committed to nurturing creativity, confidence, and discipline in her students and finds joy in helping young dancers grow in both skill and self-expression.
Jodi Fleenor
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Hi! I have been dancing since I was two, so for as long as I can remember! At the age of 5 my mom and a friend of hers opened up a dance studio with a dance wear store next door. If I wasn’t in class, I was at the shop “working,” learning the ropes from my mom. At 12, I started assisting the baby classes and loved every minute of it! As I got older, I actually worked in the shop and started teaching my own classes. I choreographed a lot of recital dances and helped clean all our competitive routines. In that time, I also tumbled with our studio, learned how to spot and teach kids how to tumble! I was an officer on my high school drill team for 3 years.
In my early 20’s, I danced for the Kansas City Brigade Arena football team. I also had the amazing opportunity to dance at Opening day for the Royals in 2012 with Ms. Jenni! In 2022, I coached Level 3 boys gymnastics at Gage in Blue Springs, MO. I learned so much from the coaches at gage that I am now able to implement into my acro classes here at ATB! And then 2023, I feel like I was in the right place, at the right time. I started working with the Sparks and the minis here at ATB and it has been the best year! There’s something about seeing growth in the littles, when they finally get the thing you and them have been working so hard on, it’s amazing. And then for it to be recognized at competitions, it’s just the best!
I have also had the privilege of working with kids for well over 15 years. I started nannying in my 20’s and stopped once I had my son, Abel. It was a challenge but the kids I’ve worked with have taught me so much (a lot of patience!) that I am able to bring into the classroom today. Speaking of kids! I have a son, Abel, who is almost 9 and loves reading, Minecraft and legos! My daughter, Veda, is 5 and terrifying! She’s our little sour patch kid that LOVES to dance, which makes my heart so happy! If the 3 of us aren’t at the studio, you will find us home with my husband, Tim, and our 3 golden retrievers George, Dottie and Duke.
Jenni Shields
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Jenni graduated from Olathe South High School as a captain of the varsity dance team. She went on to pursue dance and her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Jenni trained with many well known dance instructors and choreographers such as Mia Michaels, Brian Friedman, Dave Scott, and Tabitha & Neopoloan. She moved to New York City and trained as an intern at the Broadway Dance Center. She was presented many opportunities in New York City such as being a backup dancer for Faith Hill on the set of The View Talk Show.
Jenni moved back to the midwest to dance professionally for the Kansas City Brigade arena football team and pursue her work as a dance instructor and choreographer. During this time Jenni was a dance coach at Olathe South for five years and a local third grade teacher. She was presented an amazing opportunity to choreograph for The Kansas City Royals opening day in 2010 and 2011. Jenni has taught and choreographed for many middle schools, high schools, colleges and university dance teams in the Kansas City area. She loves sharing her dance passion by judging dance auditions and dance contests. Her love for dance team has carried over into helping other aspiring dancers make their middle school, high school & collegiate dance teams. Jenni has taught competitive and recreational dance for twenty years and has been at Above The Barre Dance Academy in Olathe for the last ten years. She currently has been offering her dance knowledge through teaching hip hop and private lessons while she focuses on raising her family and running her own small shop, Evie Pearl Handmade.