Daily Inspiration: Meet Kelly Parks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Parks.

Hi Kelly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The Davis-Parks School of Arts grew out of a dream that has been developing for more than 20 years. I founded the Medina Centre for Dance Art because I wanted to create a place where students could learn strong technique, build confidence and experience the joy of dance. Over the years, that vision naturally expanded. About five years ago we added theatre through our Rising Stars program, giving students another creative outlet and a chance to experience the magic of performing on stage.

When the opportunity came along to move into a larger facility, I realized it was the chance to finally bring a longtime dream to life- creating a full school of the arts where multiple art forms could exist together under one roof.

Today, the Davis-Parks School of Arts operates in a 16,000-square-foot space on West Smith Road. The building has allowed us to grow into a true arts hub with four dance studios, a fitness space, a black box theatre classroom, four music rooms and three visual arts studios.

The school brings together several programs: the Medina Centre for Dance Art, our Rising Stars theatre program, Kaleidoscope Arts Center for visual arts and the Melody Makers Music Program. While dance and theatre had been part of our community for years, this expansion allowed us to add music and visual arts and truly complete the vision of a full arts school.

The name Davis-Parks is especially meaningful to us. The school is named in memory of siblings from both the Davis and Parks families who have passed away. It reflects the importance of family and honoring their legacy while building something that will serve the community for years to come.

My hope is that this school becomes a place where people of all ages and experience levels feel welcome to explore creativity. We want families to be able to come to one place and discover dance, theatre, music and visual arts, and to find the art form that inspires them.

Ultimately, our goal is simple: to create a place where creativity thrives and where students can bring their artistic passions to life.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Some of the struggles along the way have been first finding a building that was big enough to fulfill all of our needs. Knowing that the end goal was to have dance, theatre, art, and music- there had to be room enough for dancers to move, music rooms with pianos, a black box theatre, space to store art supplies, etc. Another struggle was financing as we were planning on expanding and had to have a solid plan. The last struggle came with overhauling the building to fit our vision- there was a lot of construction that had to be done to turn a giant warehouse and storage spaces and numerous offices into spaces that support student in their different arts journeys.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Davis-Parks School of Arts, we specialize in arts education that focuses on creativity, growth and lifelong participation in the arts. In our dance program, we are proud to be a non-competition studio. Our focus is on strong technique, artistry and helping students develop a genuine love for dance rather than emphasizing trophies or rankings.

Many of our instructors are still actively performing professionally, which allows them to bring current industry experience and real-world insight into the classroom. Students benefit from learning from artists who are actively working in their fields and passionate about sharing that knowledge with the next generation.

We also offer some unique programming that students may not find in traditional studios, including Dance Cirque classes that blend dance technique with elements of aerial and circus arts. In addition, we believe dance should be accessible at every stage of life, which is why we offer classes not only for children and teens but also for adults and senior adults who want to stay active and creative.

On the music and visual arts side of the school, our philosophy centers on the creative process as much as the final product. While performances, artwork and recitals are wonderful celebrations of students’ work, we place equal value on experimentation, exploration and the joy of creating.

What truly sets Davis-Parks School of Arts apart is that we are a fully integrated arts school where students can explore multiple creative disciplines in one place. While many programs focus on just one art form, we bring dance, theatre, visual arts and music together under one roof. This allows students to discover new interests, collaborate with others and grow as well-rounded artists.

Another important part of who we are is our commitment to being an inclusive space. We want students of all ages, abilities and experience levels to feel welcome here. Whether someone is stepping into a class for the very first time or has been studying the arts for years, our goal is to create an environment where they feel supported, encouraged and inspired.

Because our programs share the same space, there is also a natural sense of collaboration that happens between disciplines. A theatre student might take dance to strengthen their stage presence, a dancer might explore acting or music, and visual artists have opportunities to contribute to productions and creative projects. That cross-pollination is something that makes the experience here really special.

What were you like growing up?
Dance was always a huge part of my life growing up. I was the kind of student who loved being in the studio- taking classes, working on technique and just spending as much time dancing as I could. It gave me a place where I felt both challenged and inspired, and it quickly became clear that the arts would always play an important role in my life.

As a young dancer, I was fortunate to have teachers who pushed me to grow while also helping me develop a deep appreciation for the artistry behind dance. They taught me that dance is not just about steps, but about expression, discipline and storytelling. Those lessons stayed with me and eventually shaped the way I approach teaching and directing programs today.

I think those early experiences are a big part of why I care so much about creating a positive and supportive environment for students now. I know firsthand how powerful the arts can be in building confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging.

Looking back, those years in the studio helped shape the vision I have today- creating a place where students can experience that same joy of movement, creativity and community that meant so much to me growing up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.davisparksarts.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davisparksarts/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dpsa.school