Meet Mariah

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION MANAGER

INSTRCUTOR/COREOGRAPHER

Mariah grew up in Gallatin MO. She began dancing at an early age, studying styles and genres of all kinds. She primarily

focused on Tap, Clogging, Jazz and Ballet with local Instructors such as Teresa Foli, Lindi (Wayne) Denning, Gayla (Teel)

Whitt and Susie (Koll) Meseberg.

At age 10 she had the opportunity to perform with the St Louis Ballet Company under the Direction of world-renowned

Ballet Master Gen Huriuchi, in the seasonal favorite The Nutcracker.

Through her years dancing Mariah was able to attend many classes and dance workshops with a variety of instructors

such as Jeanette Thaggard of the J Company in Chicago IL and Lillian Mansansala at STEPS on Broadway in NYC.

As a teenager and young adult, she was able to pioneer the dance programs at SCPAC in Gallatin MO and Instruct/

Choreograph for both recreational and competitive programs alongside her Sister and mentor Lindi Denning 17 yearlong

Studio owner and Director of SCPAC and MDS Dance studios in Gallatin and Trenton MO. She was also able to attend

open classes with The Kansas City Ballet School.

Mariah is a well-rounded instructor with experience teaching all ages.

Mariah has been happily married to her husband Grant for 11 years. together they have 5 young children, Penelope,

Gordon, Phoebe, Harold & Rosalyn. Six of those years were spent in Oklahoma City OK where Mariah had the

opportunity to teach 2 seasons for the Oklahoma City’s Parks and Recreation Department in 2016 & 2017 Directing the 8

and under Ballet and Tap program. She was also able to attend adult classes at the Oklahoma City Ballet School where

her daughter Penelope also danced.

In 2018 she moved back to the area with her family and taught two seasons with Midwest Dance Synergy in Trenton

teaching ages 10 and up.

In the Summer of 2020 Midwest Dance Synergy closed their doors which inspired Grant & Mariah Demke along with

friend and co-worker Mandi Ripple to open Elite Arts Dance Academy in Gallatin and offer Dance lessons and mentoring

programs in our local area.