Coach West is in her third season as head dance coach at Ottawa University.
The 2023-24 Braves finished sixth at the NDA National Championships in the Team Performance NAIA and recorded a season's best score in the prelims with a mark of 83.0500. Ottawa finished fourth in the KCAC and West was named KCAC Dance Coach of the Year. Daija Parker (2nd), Lily Meyer (2nd), and Kadee Ellis (HM) were named to the All-KCAC Teams.
In West’s first season at the helm, the 2022-23 Braves placed eighth at the NDA National Championships in the Team Performance NAIA. Ottawa earned its highest score of the year (81.65) at the event and was just .275 out of the final spot for finals. Ottawa placed fourth at the KCAC Championships. The Braves had two earn All-KCAC honors: Jordan Menefee (2nd) and Rylie Gunter (HM).
West is the owner of Westside Dance Company in Overland Park, Kan, where she coordinates performances, prepares students for competitions, and creates a variety of original dance routines for different skill levels and performance plans. She has also increased company business with skilled use of marketing, advertising, and social media.
West is also a dancer with Kansas City Contemporary Dance in Kansas City, Mo., and was an assistant coach at Indian Trail Middle School in Olathe, Kan.
West has a long list of professional accomplishments. She danced in the music video “Of Tree”, danced in collaboration with Kansas City Aerial Arts, and worked professionally with Melissa Thodos and Laura Gates of Thodos Dance Chicago.
She has choreographed over 70 routines for studios, local high schools, groups, and soloists. West was a company member of the University Dance Company and Unity Hip Hop Crew for four years at the University of Kansas. She is a former competitive dancer and won many prestigious titles, awards, and scholarships, from notable competitions, conventions, studying under teachers like Fred Odgaard, Brooke Pierotti, Chris Jacobson, and Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo.
West graduated from KU in May of 2017.
