On Your Toes Dance Studio
Miss Ashley
Ashley Mendes is the Assistant Director of On Your Toes Dance Studio and teaches ballet, tap, hip hop and jazz. She started taking dance classes at the age of 4, making this her 27th year training in dance. She's been a member of the OYT staff since the opening year and this will be her 13th year as an instructor. Ashley helps to oversee the OYT Dance Team and it's been her job to help prepare the studio's dancers for performances of a lifetime. She has traveled and performed with the dance team at 18 events and has been able to choreograph dances for the dance team that were performed on stages in Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Nashville, New York City, and a Royal Caribbean cruise line. In 2017, her choreography won 1st place in the Senior Small Group division and Overall Judge's Choice Award for the Senior division at Hollywood Dance Jamz competition. Ashley's favorite style of dance has always been hip hop but she has found a new love for teaching ballet over the past few years. Her goal as a dance teacher is to create a positive and supportive environment where her students feel safe to take risks as dancers, gaining confidence in their abilities.
Ashley grew up in Hilmar and attended Hilmar High School, graduating in 2012. During this time, she was a cheerleader and performed on the HHS Dance Team, competing in the Song/Pom division at the USA Nationals in Anaheim. She graduated from California State University, Stanislaus with a Bachelor's degree in Child Development with a minor in Psychology. Ashley keeps herself busy when she's not at the dance studio. Along with working to obtain her elementary school teaching credential, she is also a substitute teacher in Hilmar Unified School District and has been an assistant cheer coach at Hilmar High School for 6 years. Ashley is also a core staff member with Varsity Spirit, traveling across the West region and working at All-Star cheerleading competitions. When she's not at the dance studio, you can find her hanging out with her fiancé, probably eating candy and drinking a Red Bull.