Who We Are

About Thrive

At Thrive School of Dance, we celebrate every dancer's journey with high-quality training, genuine support, and a deep commitment to community. We believe in the power of structure and joy, blending professional, purposeful instruction with a spirit of fun and creativity. In our nurturing and empowering environment, dancers of all ages are encouraged to grow, trust themselves, build resilience and see their unique place in our vibrant community. Rooted in the rich legacy of the JoAnn Fryrear School of Dance, we are passionate about providing a space where every dancer feels seen, supported, and celebrated.

Meet the Team

  • Katie Smith

    Co-Owner + Teacher

  • Taylor Clements-Smith

    Co-Owner + Teacher

  • Lynn Bizianes

    Teacher Development Director + Teacher

  • Lauren Roy

    Teacher

  • Anne Simpson

    Office Staff

  • Ashleigh Parker

    Teacher

  • Brittney Maslowski

    Teacher

  • Caitlin Kowalski

    Teacher

  • Christina Steen

    Office Staff

  • Daniel Scofield

    Teacher

  • Denise Humphrey

    Teacher

  • Emily Steen

    Teacher

  • Emma Cantrell

    Teacher

  • Heather Moran

    Teacher

  • Joel Morin-Kensicki

    Teacher

  • Jordan Noblett

    Teacher

  • Kathy Sawyer-Holtgrave

    Teacher

  • Meredith Johnson

    Teacher

  • Rachel Klotz

    Teacher + Staff Photographer

  • Sarah Goud

    Teacher

Core Values

At Thrive, we train with purpose, dance with heart, grow with joy, and lead with integrity — together. We aim to weave these values into everything we do:

Purposeful Training, Professional Growth

Every step we teach is intentional. Our structured technical progressions, individualized pathways, and experienced faculty empower dancers to grow safely, skillfully, and sustainably — whether their goals are professional, recreational, or still unfolding.

Integrity Always

We lead with transparency, honesty, and trust. Doing the right thing — even (and especially) when no one is watching — is the foundation of how we treat our students, families, staff, and community.

Community over Competition

At Thrive, dance is a team activity. We show up for each other with accountability, encouragement, and respect — knowing that while every journey is personal, we all grow stronger together. Gossip has no place here; we build each other up.

Joyful Ownership

We believe in serious training, but we never forget the joy. We celebrate effort, share laughter, express gratitude, and help dancers take pride and ownership in showing up, working hard, and contributing to something bigger than themselves.

Safety with Intention

We build an environment where dancers are supported, challenged, and prepared — physically, emotionally, and mentally. Through correct alignment, age-appropriate progression, healthy risk-taking, and a welcoming, non-competitive atmosphere, we honor both the challenge and the care dancers need to thrive.

Humble Confidence

We build dancers who are grounded, kind, and self-assured — inside and outside the studio. We promote body positivity, resilience, and a deep understanding that dancers can do hard things, grow through challenges, and shine without comparison.

The Thrive Story

  • The story of Thrive School of Dance begins in 1953, when 16-year-old JoAnn Fryrear started teaching dance in her family’s basement off Rudy Lane in Louisville. What began as a small group of neighborhood students quickly grew into a vibrant studio community. With the support of her husband Ray, Mrs. JoAnn expanded her offerings and eventually moved the studio to its current location in St. Matthews in 1993.

    Her children — Lynn, Beth, and Brent — grew up in the studio and later joined her in leading it, helping shape generations of dancers. For nearly 70 years, the JoAnn Fryrear School of Dance stood as a cornerstone of Louisville’s dance community, known for its warm family atmosphere, strong technical foundation, and the lives it touched far beyond the walls of the studio.

  • In 2022, as Mrs. JoAnn’s health declined, the Fryrear family made the difficult decision to retire the business. But the spirit of the community she built still had more to give.

    Taylor, a lifelong student of the Fryrear studio and faculty member at the time, and Katie, whose daughter had been dancing there for nearly a decade, came together to carry the legacy forward. With care and intention, the studio was renamed Thrive School of Dance — honoring its roots while embracing a new season of growth, leadership, and purpose.

    Thrive exists to continue what made this space so meaningful for so many: excellent training, a joyful and supportive community, and a commitment to nurturing confident, compassionate humans through dance.

  • At Thrive, we’re not just teaching dance — we’re building something that lasts.

    We envision a future where Thrive continues to grow as a hub of connection, excellence, and empowerment. We're developing systems that support long-term sustainability, launching teacher training initiatives, and laying the groundwork for a multi-location future — one that may one day include a dedicated Thrive campus with performance space, green areas, and more.

    But no matter how we grow, our purpose stays the same: to train with purpose, lead with heart, and create a space where dancers, families, and staff alike feel seen, supported, and inspired to thrive — in dance, and in life.