Today we’d like to introduce you to Lacy Draznik.
Hi Lacy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m Lacy Draznik — owner, director, and instructor at Miami County Dance Movement — and at my core, I’m someone who believes dance changes lives.
I grew up in small-town central Kansas, training in ballet and tap from the age of four. My family didn’t have a lot, but they were supportive of my interests and encouraged me to pursue what I loved. After earning my BFA in Dance from Wichita State University, I spent several years performing and training professionally in San Francisco. I danced with multiple companies, taught across the country with National Dance Alliance, and even taught dance to underprivileged children in the Philippines with Funkanometry SF. Those experiences shaped not just my technique, but my perspective — that dance is about connection, confidence, and community.
In 2011, I returned to Kansas and took over what is now Miami County Dance Movement. This season marks our 15th anniversary, and I feel incredibly honored to carry forward a studio that has served families here for over three decades. Today, MCDM is more than a dance studio — it’s a place where people grow as artists, teammates, and humans.
What we stand for is simple: high-quality training in a positive, supportive environment. I want every student who walks through our doors to feel seen, challenged, and inspired — whether they’re stepping into a dance class for the first time or preparing for the stage.
I’m proud to call Miami County home, proud to raise my own children here, and grateful every day to teach the next generation the power of movement, creativity, and confidence.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not always. Being a business owner — especially a solopreneur — is not for the faint of heart. I transitioned from artist and teacher into wearing every possible business hat: marketing, accounting, design, facilities, and occasionally even amateur therapist. It’s stretched me in ways I never imagined and taught me lessons no classroom could.
Hard work and entrepreneurship are in my blood. My family has farmed for generations, one grandfather owned a pharmacy, and another built his own flooring business. Work and family have always gone hand in hand in my life, so building something of my own felt like a natural path — even when it was challenging and unexpected.
One of the greatest balancing acts has been being both a mom and a business owner. There were years when my children were very young that I felt I wasn’t doing either role as well as I wanted. As they’ve grown, I’ve learned to set clearer boundaries, create better systems, and let them see that “mom’s job” simply looks different — and that’s okay.
Sometimes I can’t believe all the amazing people I’ve gotten to work with and still work alongside. You truly can’t do everything to the best of your ability solo — you need mentors, collaborators, and a strong team to sharpen your perspective and help you grow. I’m deeply grateful for an incredible husband, family, and a supportive staff who help carry the load when I need it. I’ve learned that asking for help doesn’t slow me down — it gives me freedom.
These may be familiar challenges for many business owners, but they are ones I’ve faced, learned from, and grown through. I’m stronger for them every day. I keep telling myself: breathe in the obstacle, breathe out the decision, and keep moving forward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Miami County Dance Movement, I lead a studio that offers a well-rounded dance education for students ages 2 through adult. I have found that many studio owners share a deep love for dance and teaching — and I feel an instant connection with others in this field. We understand the joy dance brings, the magic of watching children grow, the power of creativity — and, honestly, we know how to have fun doing it.
What sets our program apart is its strong foundation in technique and artistry. Our training is deeply rooted in ballet and tap fundamentals, because solid foundations create confident, versatile dancers. From there, we build creativity, musicality, performance skills, and personal growth. We’re known for a dedicated and thoughtful teaching staff, a genuinely caring community, and a philosophy that values both excellence and balance — students can train seriously while still having full, healthy lives outside the studio.
What I’m most proud of is our artistry. Throughout my own dance journey, I’ve tried just about everything — different styles, companies, teaching methods, and communities. That experience keeps me open-minded, always learning, and along with my staff, always creating new opportunities for our students. We don’t just teach steps — we develop expressive, confident movers and creative thinkers.
I also want students and our community to know that what dance, art, and movement teach you can apply to every part of your life — any season of life and any career path.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
My relationship with risk has evolved over time. Before marriage and children, I’d call myself a fairly high personal risk-taker — skydiving, traveling alone, and moving to San Francisco with no job and no place to live. I’ve never been afraid to leap and figure things out on the way down.
Becoming a mom — and marrying someone I sometimes lovingly call “Mr. Safety” — definitely recalibrated that instinct. Today, I take fewer personal risks, but I’ve come to realize that owning a business is a risk in itself. When you run a studio, the success of the business rests largely on your decisions, your leadership, and your willingness to show up every day. That’s a big leap of faith — equal parts fulfilling and stressful.
With the studio, my risk-taking shows up in thoughtful growth. We’ve moved locations and expanded multiple times, each step requiring investment in space, equipment, and staff. I’ve learned to weigh every decision first through the lens of family, and second through responsibility to my team. My staff keeps this train moving, and I take that commitment seriously.
I do believe in the idea that if you build something meaningful, people will come — but only if you’re willing to put in the work behind the scenes. Every move and expansion has been supported by a community that has poured in blood, sweat, and tears alongside us. I couldn’t ask for more.
I still make mistakes all the time, but I do my best to learn from them. Mistakes and risks are great teachers. Dance is essentially risk in motion — to improve, you have to take chances, fall sometimes, and grow from it. So that’s all I’m really doing… dancing through life. And I feel incredibly lucky to do so.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mcdancemovement.com
- Instagram: @miamicountydance
- Facebook: @miamicountydance
