About Us
On The Move is here to help students of all skill levels experience the joy of dance. We want to become a studio where students have a great time becoming great dancers. You'll find us to be family friendly, positive and encouraging, technically sound, age appropriate, with qualified staff that care for their students
Kari May, Owner/Instructor
Mrs. Kari has been dancing since the age of 3 and has been an instructor/choreographer since the age of 15. She brings over 35 years of teaching experience as well as a well-rounded background teaching for 5 different studios in Oklahoma and Texas.
Kari graduated from Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes!!) in 1993 with a degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Business Administration. She owned her own studio for 4 years in Oklahoma before moving to Texas in 2000. She has studied under several well-known choreographers and stays current by attending national dance competitions and workshops. Before opening OTM, Kari served as the senior productions manager for Stage OneProductions, a National Dance Competition. She traveled around the US with Stage One for 9 years and has judged for them as well.
Kari’s husband of 30 years, Jason, serves as the Pastor of Rock City Fellowship here in Midlothian. They have lived in Midlothian for almost 22 years and have three sons, Nathan, Noah, and Nicholas.
Kari loves being a part of the community in Midlothian and has also enjoyed doing choreography in the schools for musicals and show choirs. She also loves supporting the school dance programs and cheering on her dancers at football games, pep rallies, etc. She feels blessed to be a part of this great community and privileged to teach such amazing students.
Our Instructors
Mika Stansberry, Instructor
Mika Stansberry, Instructor
Mika Stansberry, Instructor
Mika grew up in western Oklahoma and has been a gymnast since age seven and was on a competition team for two years before taking up cheerleading. She cheered all through high school where she received the All-State Cheerleader honor and cheered at Southwestern Oklahoma State University for four years. While at Southwestern she served as
Mika grew up in western Oklahoma and has been a gymnast since age seven and was on a competition team for two years before taking up cheerleading. She cheered all through high school where she received the All-State Cheerleader honor and cheered at Southwestern Oklahoma State University for four years. While at Southwestern she served as a judge and camp instructor for several area junior highs and high schools. She graduated from SWOSU in 2000 with a degree in Health and Physical Education.
Mika and her husband, Brian, moved to Texas in 2001. They have three daughters, Emma, Lillie, and Claire and are active members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Duncanville. Mika also teaches preschool at Noah’s Ark Bible School.
Nikki Clayton, Instructor
Mika Stansberry, Instructor
Mika Stansberry, Instructor
Nikki has always been passionate about dance and children. In addition to dancing as a child, she was a three-year member of the Duncanville High Hats where she served as Captain in 1993-94. At the University of Texas at Arlington she continued her training where she danced in the UTA Dance Ensemble and earned a degree in interdisciplin
Nikki has always been passionate about dance and children. In addition to dancing as a child, she was a three-year member of the Duncanville High Hats where she served as Captain in 1993-94. At the University of Texas at Arlington she continued her training where she danced in the UTA Dance Ensemble and earned a degree in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in Elementary Education and dance.
Nikki and her husband Randy raised three amazing kids in Midlothian, and own Elevate After School, an after school program that serves elementary students in Midlothian ISD.
Nikki has been with On The Move Dance since the doors opened and she is thankful for a studio that shares her passion and values. She is also thrilled that her daughter Gracie, is now part of the OTM staff family.
Kara Flores, Ballet Instructor
Kara Flores, Ballet Instructor
Kara Flores, Ballet Instructor
Kara has been dancing since the age of three, and been teaching for over 25 years. She studied dance at Texas A&M, and was part of their elite EmSu Dance Company. She has studied under a variety of wonderful teachers at Manhattan Tap Company, Ballet Magnificat, and Dance Ad Deum, as well as training at a variety of dance conventions. Kar
Kara has been dancing since the age of three, and been teaching for over 25 years. She studied dance at Texas A&M, and was part of their elite EmSu Dance Company. She has studied under a variety of wonderful teachers at Manhattan Tap Company, Ballet Magnificat, and Dance Ad Deum, as well as training at a variety of dance conventions. Kara and her husband, Daniel, have three beautiful children: Lyla, Eden, and Luke. She loves being a part of the On The Move staff and passing on her love of ballet to the students!
Lauren Shields, Instructor
Kara Flores, Ballet Instructor
Kara Flores, Ballet Instructor
Lauren Shields has been teaching at OTM since 2018. She is married to J.D. and they have 2 boys, Rhett and Rhody. Lauren is a Kindergarten teacher at Waxahachie Preparatory Academy.
Lauren started dancing at the age of 3 in Tennessee where she lived until moving to TX in 2008. She took classes in Jazz, Ballet, Tap, and Acrobatics.
Lauren Shields has been teaching at OTM since 2018. She is married to J.D. and they have 2 boys, Rhett and Rhody. Lauren is a Kindergarten teacher at Waxahachie Preparatory Academy.
Lauren started dancing at the age of 3 in Tennessee where she lived until moving to TX in 2008. She took classes in Jazz, Ballet, Tap, and Acrobatics. Lauren started competing on a competitive team at the age of 8 and competed with the same company even after graduating college and returning to teach at the same studio. While competing, Lauren earned many national titles in duets, trios, small groups, and large groups. Lauren attended Carson-Newman University in TN. She danced all four years there and served as captain for two years and co-captain for one year. She was responsible for all choreography, practices, and half-time performances. Lauren also competed in the Miss Tennessee pageant and performed an acrobatic/jazz routine for her talent.
Lauren has a true love for dance and uses the gifts God has given her at the studio and at her church where she leads worship for the kids’ ministry.
Millie Ayres, Instructor
Emma Stansberry, Instructor
Millie Ayres, Instructor
Millie has been passionate about dance since a very young age. She has been dancing competitively since she was 9 years old and was a student at On The Move Dance for six years. Millie was a member of the Kilgore College Rangerettes 75th line from 2014-2016. As a Rangerette, she had many performance opportunities including travellin
Millie has been passionate about dance since a very young age. She has been dancing competitively since she was 9 years old and was a student at On The Move Dance for six years. Millie was a member of the Kilgore College Rangerettes 75th line from 2014-2016. As a Rangerette, she had many performance opportunities including travelling for performances in Ireland and Scotland, performing at the annual Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Dallas Cowboys games, and Disney World in Florida.
Prior to being a Rangerette, Millie attended Midlothian High School and was an officer of the Pantherettes for 3 years including serving as a Captain her Junior and Senior years. As a Pantherette, she received many awards including First Place at Showmakers Nationals in Hawaii in 2013 for her solo. Additionally, in 2013 Millie was selected to participate in the Radio City Rockettes Summer Intensive program in New York City. Millie has been teaching summer dance camps with MA Dance since 2015.
Millie completed her Associate of Arts in Dance Education at Kilgore College and received her Bachelor of Arts at Dallas Baptist University. During her time at DBU, Millie performed and competed with the DBU Patriettes- furthering her dance knowledge and her walk with Christ. After attending DBU she served as Assistant Director of the Midlothian High School Pantherettes and Director of the JV Royals for 5 years.
She is now married to her high school sweetheart, Sethe and has two beautiful children- Cori and Joel. Millie is now starting her 9th year teaching at On the Move. Her goal is to be compassionate and approachable to her students, and to exude the love of Christ in her teaching and mentoring.
Donna Newman, Instructor
Emma Stansberry, Instructor
Millie Ayres, Instructor
Mrs. Donna is a proud 1987 graduate of Midlothian High School and a Pantherette alumna. During her time on the team, she served for four years—one as Lieutenant and two as Captain. She went on to earn a degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Dance from Stephen F. Austin State University.
With a strong background in dance education, choreog
Mrs. Donna is a proud 1987 graduate of Midlothian High School and a Pantherette alumna. During her time on the team, she served for four years—one as Lieutenant and two as Captain. She went on to earn a degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Dance from Stephen F. Austin State University.
With a strong background in dance education, choreography, and contest judging, Ms. Donna brings both passion and expertise to her work. She currently serves as the Director of the Midlothian Pantherettes and has been a cherished part of the OTM family since its opening.
Donna is married and the proud mother of two sons.
Emma Stansberry, Instructor
Emma Stansberry, Instructor
Emma Stansberry, Instructor
Emma has had a lifelong love for dance. She began her journey at On The Move when it first opened in 2008 at just five years old and went on to dance competitively from ages 7 to 18. Her passion for choreography emerged early—she started choreographing for the Walnut Grove choir at age 12.
Throughout middle and high school, Emma was a ded
Emma has had a lifelong love for dance. She began her journey at On The Move when it first opened in 2008 at just five years old and went on to dance competitively from ages 7 to 18. Her passion for choreography emerged early—she started choreographing for the Walnut Grove choir at age 12.
Throughout middle and high school, Emma was a dedicated cheerleader for Midlothian ISD and earned All American honors four times. At age 15, she began working as an assistant at On The Move and transitioned into an Instructor role after graduating in 2021.
Emma earned her Associate of Arts degree from Navarro College in 2023 and has been an instructor for the Universal Cheerleaders Association since that same year. Since 2022, she has also choreographed musicals for Midlothian High School, receiving the Outstanding Choreography award from Broadway Dallas in 2025.
Emma is grateful to be part of the On The Move team and is passionate about inspiring and sharing her love of dance with her students.
Maddi Shillings, Instructor
Maddi Shillings, Instructor
Maddi Shillings, Instructor
Maddi is thrilled to be starting her second year teaching at On The Move! Her journey with OTM began as a student, where she danced for nine years before graduating. During her Junior and Senior years, she also had the privilege of serving as an assistant teacher.
Maddi is currently attending Dallas Baptist University, where she dances wi
Maddi is thrilled to be starting her second year teaching at On The Move! Her journey with OTM began as a student, where she danced for nine years before graduating. During her Junior and Senior years, she also had the privilege of serving as an assistant teacher.
Maddi is currently attending Dallas Baptist University, where she dances with the Patriettes, and is pursuing a degree in Psychology with a focus on Child Life. Her goal is to become a Child Life Specialist and support children and families in healthcare settings.
Maddi is excited to continue being a part of the OTM family, and I can’t wait for another amazing year!
Gracie Clayton, Instructor
Maddi Shillings, Instructor
Maddi Shillings, Instructor
Gracie started dancing at the age of three and has danced at On The Move for 15 years. She attended Heritage High School where she danced as a Heritage Belle for 4 years. She served as Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, and Captain her Senior year.
Gracie has been teaching at On The Move for two years and brings both experience and enthusiasm
Gracie started dancing at the age of three and has danced at On The Move for 15 years. She attended Heritage High School where she danced as a Heritage Belle for 4 years. She served as Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, and Captain her Senior year.
Gracie has been teaching at On The Move for two years and brings both experience and enthusiasm to every class. She is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology at Dallas Baptist University, where she continues her dance journey as a member of the Patriettes.
Gracie has a passion for teaching and is so excited to share her love for dance with others!
Policies
Classroom Attire
Please see our "Shoe Requirements" page for shoe and classroom attire requirements
Attendance/Studio Closings
Attendance is very important to ensure a quality dance education. Dance classes often build on skills that were learned the previous week. Please make every effort to be in class each week. If a student misses 3 weeks in a row without notifying the studio, they will automatically be dropped from the class and will be responsible for fees accrued during their absence. Please notify the studio if you wish to remove your child from classes to avoid accrued fees. If a student must miss class, they can do a makeup class if they want to in another class of their same age and level as long as it’s not full. Makeup classes are not required.
OTM Dance will observe MISD holidays, breaks, and school closings for weather. The exceptions to this are teacher work days and various Monday holidays such as Columbus Day. We will still have classes on these days. Please check the website (otmdance.com), Facebook, or your email on bad weather days to see if classes have been cancelled. If MISD cancels after school activities because of weather conditions, we will not have class either.
Recital
A spring recital will be held in May. As soon as the date is confirmed, you will be notified. If for some reason, your child is NOT going to be in the recital, please notify the studio. The recital is not required. There are no refunds on costumes.
Parent Communication
Please check your child’s dance bag each week for notes! Notes with important information will often be sent home with your child. We also make an effort to email the same information and we post it on our website. The studio phone number is 972-775-3646 or for a quicker response you may email me directly at onthemovedance@gmail.com. For billing questions, you may email staff.otmdance@gmail.com
Pick-up and Drop-off Policy
Your child’s safety is very important to us and while we always have plenty of supervision in your child’s class, we cannot guarantee adequate supervision in the lobby. For children second grade and younger we ask that you please stay with your child until they have gone into class, and then you are free to leave if you wish, until your child’s class is over. For older children we ask that you not drop them off more than 10 minutes before class starts. And if you are going to be more than five minutes late for pick-up, please let us know. As always, we understand that special circumstances do arise. If that’s the case, please speak with us and special arrangements can be made on a case-by-case basis. Siblings should not be left alone in the lobby.
Please feel free to talk with me or any of the other OTM teachers if you have a question or concerns about your student’s dance classes. We are more than happy to work with you! I’m looking forward to another great year! Thank you for allowing me to share my passion with your children.
Ms. Kari
