Presenter Profile

By the age of 29, Kayleigh Schadwinkel-Hickman also known as KASH, is a successful multi-branch dance entrepreneur and award-winning professional traveling choreographer and dancer with over 26 years of dance training and 14 years of choreography experience. Kayleigh is the founder and owner of POYDS Dance Company and KASH Dance & Choreography. 

Some of Kayleigh’s past dance and fitness training opportunities include working virtually with some of the world's most elite choreographers, dancers and dance instructions in the CLI Studio Dancer in Professional Virtual Mentorship Program based in Los Angeles, California including training from Mandy Moore, tWitch, Teddy Forance, Marquette Derricks, Allison Holker and more! Kayleigh was trained by a NYC Radio City Rockette, Tiffany Tabor-Mackrill growing up in her hometown studio in Scottsbluff, Nebraska! 

Kayleigh made her choreographic Broadway debut in the NYC Believe / Arts For Autism Broadway Benefit Concert in June 2022 and returned her choreographic work to the Broadway stage in the 2023 Arts for Autism Benefit Concert with the first ever dual state Colorado and Nebraska triple threat performance troupes. The NYC Executive Producers have already invited her back to rejoin the Broadway concert and experience again in June 2024. 

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 seven years of establishing her own businesses, Kayleigh is proud to share that her company went national in 2022. Within this timeframe, Kayleigh has choreographed over 550+ dances, 15+ show choir sets and 60+ musicals with over 65+ schools, theaters and organizations across the US. 

Her choreographic work has been featured in the following ways: 

• Harlem Globetrotters World Tour Event – Halftime Performance – Lincoln, NE

• Original Music Video – Chicago, IL 

• Virtual Kids POMS Dance Team Program – San Diego, California

• Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival – Invited Scene Showcase – Des Moines, Iowa

  • Original Choreographic work of “Mermaid Outta Of Me” from Peter & The Starcatcher performed by Doane University Theater Department

• Two Time Award Winner of “Top 10 Best Musicals in the State of Nebraska AND Top Ensemble in the State” for Choreographic Work with Lincoln Southeast High School Selected By Nebraska High School Theater Academy and Omaha Performing Arts High School Awards – Omaha, Nebraska 

• Two Time Invited Scene Showcase at Nebraska High School Theater Academy Awards at Nebraska Orpheum Theater – Omaha, Nebraska 

• “Must See Community Theater Production In Local Area” – 2019 Be More Chill Lincoln Community Playhouse Production – Lincoln, Nebraska  

• Two Time Award Winner of the Doane College Omicron Delta Kappa Creative and Performing Arts Outstanding & Emerging Leader Award in the Arts

• Annual Musical Theater Dance Workshop Instructor for Colorado Thespian Festival – Denver, Colorado 

• Three Time Guest Featured Choreographer for STEAM! Children’s Theater Project – Aurora, Colorado 

• Tenure Guest Dance Educator for Doane University’s Future Educators & Health Care Professionals Rhythmic Dance Class – Crete, Nebraska 

• Two Time Top Choreographic Awards & Honors with Crete High School Show Choir

  • Best Closer AND Best Overall Choreography CBOBC Spooktacular Show Choir Festival – Council Bluffs, Iowa 

  • Top Swing Choir Choreography Award – Peru State Annual Show Choir Festival – Peru, Nebraska

• Two Time Top Gold Honors for Choreographic Work with Gering High School Harmony Show Choir 

  • Two Time Winner of 4A Best of the Fest – Scottsbluff Show Choir – Scottsbluff, Nebraska 

  • Two Time Nebraska Choral Directors Association (NCDA) Show Choir Competition Champions – Imperial, Nebraska

• 2017 Doane University Theater Department – Mentor of the Year

• Creation of the 1st Hybrid After School Dance Program & Choreography Program in the state of Nebraska 

Kayleigh currently operates three 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.