ABOUT US
Our Studio
William Henry School of the Arts is a studio that caters to all individuals with a passion for exploring their artistic talents. We ensure small class sizes to help maximize our students training experience. We foster a creative environment where students can find joy in being artistic and learn valuable skills which can translate in to other areas of our students lives. Our goal is to help our students be the most successful version of themselves while promoting their artistic skills, their passion to learn, and their boldness to step out of their comfort zone.
Come learn with us at William Henry School of the Arts. All of our dance, art, and fitness classes are ready for you to try. Our instructors are personable, qualified, and eager to help students develop their talents. Whether your goal is to try a new art form, perfect a current passion, or to be part of a community that cares about you, we are that place. We at William Henry School of the Arts are excited to get the chance to know you and work with you.
Please explore our site for more information and feel free to reach out with questions you may have.
Meet the Team
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Alexa Axthelm McNally
Studio Owner and Artistic Director
Alexa Axthelm McNally started her dance training at the early age of three. Her dance career has consisted of both studio, competitive dancing, and on dance teams at a variety of levels. Growing up in North Carolina she had the opportunity to compete at different national competitions across the east coast with the two studios who helped to shape her as a person and a dancer. Alexa has had the pleasure of taking classes from a variety of teachers through classes, conventions, and workshops giving her broad perspective and knowledge in ballet, contemporary, modern, lyrical, musical theatre, hip hop, and jazz. Alexa graduated from UNL as a trained artist with a BFA degree in Theatre Design with a focus in scenic painting. She is a creative spirit who loves to work with young artists to develop dance skills, self confidence, and a strong love for the arts.
mUvmethod Certified Instructor
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Celia Siebert
Lead Instructor
Celia Siebert began dancing at age 3 under the instruction of Pauline von Thaden of the Royal Academy of Dance. She was a member of Greentree Children’s Ballet Company in Northern California for 13 years and studied tap, jazz, hip hop, swing, modern and musical theatre. Celia also participated in choir in high school; earning a music theory award and a vocal honor from the California Musical Educators Association. She attended Cal State Sacramento as a dance major before moving to Southern California to pursue dancing further; ultimately working professionally with choreographer’s agencies and dancing in the daily parades at Disneyland. Upon returning to Sacramento she became a member of S/BAD (Sacramento/Black Art of Dance), an African Modern company with a heavy emphasis on the Katherine Dunham school of technique. Over the years Celia has been a teacher, a performer and a life long lover of dance! She is very excited and thankful for the opportunity to join William Henry School of the Arts!
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Peyton Davis-Schmit
Lead Instructor
Editor of WHSOTA Newsletter
Peyton Davis-Schmit has been dancing since she was four years old after telling her mom “I want to be a dance teacher when I grow up.” She was a founding member of Nebraska Contemporary Dance Theater, a pre-professional dance company, at her home studio in Lincoln. Through NCDT, she was also a part of Regional Dance America MidStates. She has trained in many dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, pointe, and hip hop. In May of 2023, Peyton graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work with a Minor in Gender Studies. She is now a Certified Social Worker in the state of Nebraska. Peyton will continue her education this fall at Nebraska Wesleyan’s trauma-conscious Master of Social Work Program. She places an emphasis on creating a safe and inclusive environment for your dancers to explore the art of dance. In addition to school and work, Peyton spends most of her time with her best four-legged friend, Luna.
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Ella Davis-Schmit
Lead Instructor
Music Coordinator
Co-Costume Shop Manager
Ella Davis-Schmit began dancing at the age of two and danced at her home studio in Lincoln for 16 years. She was a founding member of Nebraska Contemporary Dance Theatre, a pre-professional dance company, training in a plethora of styles including tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and hip hop. She also got the opportunity to be a member of Regional Dance America MidStates where she gained knowledge from many experts in the dance industry. In 2020, she received the Nebraska Young Artist Award for dance. Currently, she is starting her third year at William Henry School of the Arts. She is teaching students of all ages fostering creativity and joy in the classroom. She cannot wait to create art with your dancers and help them showcase who they are. Ella is a junior at Bryan College of Health Sciences earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and works as a Patient Care Technician at Bryan Hospitals gaining hands-on experience.