About Us
We believe all children can benefit from the art of dance.
Who Are We?
Inspirations Dance Project is a non-profit that was founded by Mikalah Richards in 2023. We provide dance classes, dancewear, performance opportunities, and lifelong lessons to all girls, ages 3-18, in an environment that is built to lift them up. EVERYONE is welcome ∞
Our Mission
Our mission is to create, inspire, and build confidence in our youth, one dance class at a time, regardless of socioeconomic status, learning differences, or background.
Our Teaching Method
Our teaching method at Inspirations Dance Project differs from teaching methods typically used in sports. We use the principles of applied behavior analysis to increase positive behaviors (eg. focus, correct technique, dance etiquette, etc) and decrease negative behaviors (calling out, poor technique, disrespect, etc) enhancing dancer performance. Being a good dancer stems from how you take classes, not just your natural ability. We utilize differential reinforcement to shape these behaviors naturally in class. We do not utilize punishment or public humiliation like most coaches feel the need to resort to, because when focus is on reinforcement it is never necessary. Ms. Mikalah uses her knowledge of ABA to curate goals specific to each child. We recognise that function of behavior and reinforcement differs from child-to-child.
ABA In Sports
Studies show athletes with autocratic coaches who created unrealistic goals had increased anxiety and often compared themselves to other athletes (Jiménez et al., 2019). Many negative behaviors we see in athletes are due to athletes no longer valuing the sport or coaches because of a decreased sense of accomplishment (Raedeke & Smith, 2001). Utilizing ABA practices ensures each child is held to a standard appropriate for them, and contacts reinforcement even if they aren't the "best" on the team. This also changes the way in which dancers are critiqued. ABA focuses on constructive criticism, explicitly stating what went right and wrong AND explaining how to fix it, not simply pointing it out. Feedback offered immediately and delivered appropriately has been shown to increase athlete performance and effort (Weakley et al., 2023).
Meet The Founder/ Director
Ms. Mikalah Richards was born and raised in Polk County, where she now offers most of her in- person dance lessons. She started her dance education at Barbara's Centre For Dance at the age of 4, studying all styles of dance and was a member of their competition team for 15 years while serving as a dance captain, officer, and assistant in classes. She has also served as a guest teacher at several studios around Florida and as a choreographer for the “Devilettes” dance team at Winter Haven High School. Her other dance training includes participating in The Nutcracker with Florida Dance Theatre, summer trainings in New York at Broadway Dance Center, and training in Las Vegas. Ms. Mikalah has also held several local, state, and international pageant titles, including FL Cinderella Teen, and currently FL Cinderella Woman, which fueled her love for community service. She also started her professional career performing on the "Ray Team" for the MLB team, Tampa Bay Rays. She holds a bachelor degree in psychology, and is now working towards her masters in Applied Behavior Analysis. When she’s not teaching dance she works full-time as a therapist for children with ASD, and other developmental disorders. She strives to create a developmentally appropriate, safe, and loving environment for ALL dancers and uses her knowledge of ABA to create a more reinforcing and individualized goal based dance environment.