About

Who We Are

About the Studio

Ballroom & Beyond, now proudly owned by Phoenix Performing Arts Gym, is committed to becoming an exceptional ballroom dance studio with a transformative mission. We strive to empower individuals through dance, enriching their lives in profound ways. By surpassing conventional dance instruction, we take our students “beyond” the ordinary, offering private lessons suitable for solo dancers, crafting personalized wedding dances for your big day, providing group classes that foster socialization and fitness, encouraging competition as an exhilarating hobby, and nurturing performance skills through showcases. Our aim is to redefine the dance experience and inspire a journey of self-discovery through movement and artistic expression. As we embark on this exciting journey, stay tuned for the introduction of additional dance styles, expanding our vision of what performing arts can offer.

With over 50 years of combined experience in the Ballroom industry, Ballroom & Beyond can handle any dance request needed!

Why Choose Us

About The Owners

Ballroom & Beyond proudly announces that it is now under new ownership, with Nick and Mandi taking the reins. We are incredibly enthusiastic about this transition, and we can’t wait to embark on this journey with our beloved dance community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jaki for her unwavering dedication to Ballroom & Beyond, which has made it the vibrant and welcoming space it is today. With fresh energy and a commitment to fostering the arts, we aim to build upon the existing legacy and bring exciting new developments to our dancers and the wider community. Stay tuned for updates, and we look forward to sharing this exciting journey with all of you! Learn more about the new owners below!

The Heart and Soul Behind Our Studio

Nick Bloxsom-Carter

Co-owner & CEO
Lead Instructor

Nick, a Los Angeles native, has been dancing and teaching for over 24 years. With training from esteemed professionals such as Shirley Ballas, Mia Michaels, Nappy Tabs, and Adam Shankman, he has showcased his talents on television shows like SYTYCD S9 and DWTS, Live to Dance and many more. Nick has competed nationally and internationally, earning championship and finalist titles worldwide. Graduating with a bachelor’s in Business and Dance from Utah Valley University, Nick has directed, choreographed, and judged for numerous dance companies, competitions nationwide, and music videos. His artistic endeavors extend beyond dance, with notable appearances in short films, national commercials, and movies.

With over 20 years of acting experience, Nick Bloxsom-Carter has garnered recognition for his performances in various mediums. Beginning with theater, he embraced Shakespearean roles in productions like Taming of the Shrew and Much Ado About Nothing, before showcasing his versatility in musicals such as The Wizard of Oz and West Side Story. His journey led him to television, where appearances on ABC, CBS, and FOX provided invaluable insights into the nuances of commercial television production. Nick’s dedication to his craft led him to train extensively with esteemed mentors in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, ultimately establishing his base in Denver, where he continues to pursue acting and mentor aspiring talents. Nick is now sought out for the directing and choreography roles with pre-professional and professional companies across the nation, spanning both the acting and dance disciplines.

When not immersed in the arts, Nick enjoys staying active through sports, horseback riding, and spending quality time with his dogs, Piper and Prue. Looking ahead, he is eager to explore opportunities in directing, producing, and collaborating on future artistic projects.

Mandi McKinlay

Co-owner & COO
Studio Manager

Mandi, a Hawaii native, has been dancing and teaching for over 20 years. She has training from top professionals including Katusha Demidova, Jonathan Wilkins, and Shirley Ballas. She has toured and won international titles with the Utah Valley University Ballroom Touring Company as well as national titles individually. She has performed with many Utah dance companies and has been featured in shows with the Utah Symphony and Good Things Utah. Mandi is also an accomplished costumer and seamstress and has costumed countless shows and events. Along with her artistic credits, she is renowned for her business credits as well. She has been the Operations Manager and Executive Director of multiple businesses and teams, and is looking forward to being a part of the Ballroom & Beyond family. In her free time, Mandi loves spending time with her dogs and Nick, reading fantasy novels, and cooking (since she trained as a chef at a Michelin star restaurant in LA).

Mandi
What Dance Does

The Benefits of Ballroom Dancing...

Dance is more than movement; it’s a transformational experience that touches every aspect of your life. Whether it’s finding confidence on the dance floor, losing weight, rediscovering purpose, or simply embracing the fun of moving to music, ballroom dancing offers endless possibilities. At Ballroom & Beyond, we’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible impact dance can have. It’s not just about preparing for a special occasion; it’s about embarking on a journey that enriches your life in profound ways. So, take the step, embrace the rhythm, and let dance transform you.

Your Dance Journey Begins Here

Let's Dance!

Dive into the world of dance with us! Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or stepping onto the dance floor for the first time, we’re here to guide you on your journey. Fill out the form below to get started on your dance adventure, inquire about our classes, or book your first lesson. Let’s make your dance dreams come true!

Please complete the form below with your details. Our team will be in touch to discuss how we can build your dance experience to your needs.

Book & See Schedule(s):

Excellent
Ballroom & Beyond5.0
Based on 130 reviews
Illia Kotliar
1 month ago
Matt is the best! He was patient with us and helped us prepare an amazing choreography for our first dance. We had zero ballroom dancing experience. Matt made it work, and we felt confident during our first dance.
We had an absolutely fantastic experience with Ballroom & Beyond in Cherry Creek while preparing for our wedding. We purchased one of their packages, which included 11 lessons, and it was worth every penny. The choreography turned out great, and our guests were genuinely impressed with our first dance. More importantly, we actually had a lot of fun learning and practicing it along the way. We worked with Matt, and he was an excellent instructor. He was patient, knowledgeable, and did a great job teaching us while helping us feel comfortable on the dance floor. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience, and we would absolutely recommend Ballroom & Beyond to anyone looking to learn a dance for their wedding.
Karissa Hevelone
2 months ago
If you're debating doing dance lessons for your wedding let this be the sign to DO IT! This continues to be our favorite decision for our wedding, with the stress of planning a wedding it was so refreshing to have a day each week to connect and learn something new together! Matt is the absolute best!!! We had the most fun learning from him, he is so passionate and professional! He created such an incredible and true to us first dance, it is something we will remember the rest of our lives! Our guests were amazed and we look back on our lessons with so much joy! Thank you for a fantastic experience!
Response from the owner:Thank you SO much for this amazing review! It was our pleasure to teach you both and we're so happy that your first dance was filled with so much passion, joy, and amazement 🙂 We're incredibly overjoyed and grateful that Ballroom & Beyond continues to be the best decision, and frankly, we couldn't agree more. Hope to see you soon to continue making amazing memories filled with rhythm, steps, and laughter
Kiersten Turner
2 months ago
We had such a great experience working with Matt at Ballroom & Beyond! We signed up for a package of 10 lessons to prepare for our first dance, and neither my fiancé nor I would consider ourselves natural dancers. Matt was incredibly patient with us and always took the time to clearly explain and demonstrate each step until we felt comfortable. He also helped us better understand the rhythm and timing of our song, which was something we definitely struggled with at the beginning. By the end of our lessons, we felt so much more confident and prepared. We’re so appreciative of all the time, patience, and encouragement Matt gave us, and we can’t wait to put everything he taught us to the test at our wedding in a couple of weeks! We would absolutely recommend Matt to any couple preparing for their first dance.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the wonderful review! It was a pleasure working with you both, and we’re so glad Matt could help you feel more comfortable, confident, and prepared for your first dance. We’re honored to be a small part of such a special moment. Wishing you both an amazing wedding day filled with love, laughter, and a beautiful first dance! Congratulations!
Eric Martin
2 months ago
Great experience - love our time here. We just bought our third package.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for a great review! We’re thrilled to hear you’ve had such a great experience with us—and we’re honored to have you back for your third package! It means so much to have you as part of the Ballroom & Beyond family. We can’t wait to keep dancing with you!
Patrick Darby
3 months ago
My fiancée (now wife) Amy and I signed up for dance lessons here before our wedding day and without much dancing experience, Ballroom and Beyond worked with us over the course of a couple months to create a first dance that felt natural, fun, and went smoothly on the big day. The team was super helpful and flexible and they even helped edit the song so it flowed more naturally with our dance and how long we wanted it to be. I know our first dance would not have been as special or as fun without Ballroom & Beyond. 100% worth the time and effort! Plus, a lot of fun at the same time!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful review! It was an absolute joy for us to work with you and Amy to create a first dance that felt natural, fun, and uniquely yours. We’re so happy we could help make your special day extra memorable. Congratulations again to you both, and we’re thrilled to have been a part of your love story!
Karen Payne
3 months ago
This dance studio is awesome! Lots of great, patient, and knowledgeable staff to help you on your dance journey. Love the group classes too
Response from the owner:Thanks Karen! We love having you and are happy you enjoy our studio 🙂
Jared Abramowitz
4 months ago
Ballroom and Beyond was incredible! Matt was truly an all-star that made our first dance vision come to life. Would highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Thanks so much Jared for your great review! We're so happy to have helped bring your dream first dance to life! Can't wait to see you guys again for some great dancing!
Ashley Larkin
4 months ago
Response from the owner:Thanks so much Ashley for your 5 star review!
Victoria Stelter
4 months ago
Wonderful date night experience learning the Waltz! We are true beginners and Davry made it fun and low pressure! Will be going again
Response from the owner:Thank so much for the kind review! It makes us happy that you loved your Date Night Intro lesson! We can't wait to have you back 🙂