Presenter Profile

At the age of 29, Kayleigh Schadwinkel-Hickman is a successful multi-branch dance entrepreneur and award-winning professional traveling choreographer with over 26 years of dance training and 14 years of choreography experience. Kayleigh is the founder and owner of POYDS Dance Company (AKA “Put On Your Dancing Shoes”) and KASH Dance & Choreography (AKA Kayleigh Schadwinkel Dance & Choreography). Recently, Kayleigh made her first choreographic Broadway debut this past June 2022 with her work being featured in the Arts For Autism Broadway Cabaret Production.

Kayleigh’s POYDS Dance Company was the first studio in the state of Nebraska to have a LIVE virtual dance program established in 2019 prior to COVID-19. During the height of COVID, Kayleigh connected more than 23,000 individuals of all ages and dance backgrounds in 17 states in the US and 44 countries worldwide to put on their dancing shoes in her weekly online community dance classes.

In just six years of establishing her own businesses, Kayleigh has choreographed over 450+ dances and 45+ musicals across the Midwest portion of the US including her choreographed work being featured in:
– Arts for Autism Broadway Cabaret Performance – Gershwin Theater in New York City, New York
– Harlem Globetrotters World Tour Event – Halftime Performance in Lincoln, NE
– A music video in Chicago, IL
– “Top 10 Musical in State of Nebraska” – Lincoln Southeast High School Production of “Once Upon A Mattress – Song of Love” and Selected as Invited Scene Showcase with choreo created and staged by KASH Dance & Choreography – Orpheum Theater – Omaha, Nebraska and Selected By Nebraska High School Theater Academy and Omaha Performing Arts High School Awards
– A virtual Kids POMS Dance Team Choreography in San Diego, California
– “Must See Community Theater Production In Local Area” – 2019 Community Production of “Be More Chill” at Lincoln Community Playhouse in Lincoln, NE
– Top Honors Crete High School Show Choir – CBOBC Spooktacular Show Choir Festival in Council Bluffs, Iowa with Best Closer and Best Overall Choreography
– Top Gold Honors with Gering High School Harmony Show Choir with awards at: Best of the Fest – Scottsbluff High School and Nebraska Choral Directors Association (NCDA) Show Choir Competition – Imperial, Nebraska
– The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Invited Scene Showcase with “Mermaid Outta Of Me” from “Peter & The Starcatcher” performed by Doane University Theater Department in Des Moines, Iowa

Kayleigh currently operates four branches located in two states, Nebraska and Colorado, along with her full-service Online Dance Studio. Kayleigh is most proud and humbled to have the opportunity every day to put on her dancing shoes alongside individuals of all ages, dance backgrounds, and skill levels to enjoy the wonderful art of dance.