Diane began dancing at the age of 4. She studied under the professional direction of Virginia Loncar for 14 years, received instruction from Ron Lewis and danced professionally at Kansas City Starlight Theatre. Diane also studied in Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Hollywood and Las Vegas. In 1963, she received a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and another in Secondary Education from the University of Missouri and taught in the Park Hill School District at Graden and Renner Elementary for 5 years. In 1974, she and her late husband, Ron Henderson, opened the doors to Diane's School of Dance. Ron was a vital part of DSOD until his passing in 2006. Over the past 45 years, Diane has become a symbol of the Northland and continues to inspire her students at the studio while being their biggest role model. She was voted one of Park Hill High School's 50 Heroes and was one of the very first Kansas Citians to be awarded the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat Award for the Kansas City Royals. Having turned over most of the actual teaching to her faculty, she now assumes a director's role and still oversees all facets of DSOD.
Jill began her dance training at DSOD in 1974 under the direction of her mother, Diane. She graduated from the University of Missouri in Columbia in 1991 with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. She also holds a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Jill taught 8th grade language arts in the Park Hill School District for 9 years before assuming a full-time role at the studio. In 2015, Jill was inducted into the Park Hill School District Alumni Hall of Fame for her contribution to the youth of the Northland community.
Susan began dancing at DSOD under the direction of her mother, Diane, at the age of 3 and grew up performing at places like Starlight Theatre. In 1991 and 1992, she was a member of the 2-time NCA National Champion Golden Girls at Mizzou and was voted All-American by the National Cheerleading Association. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 1993 with a Bachelor's Degree in Educational & Counseling Psychology. After college, Susan was cast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast and later performed with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. In 1995, she became a member of the world-famous Radio City Rockettes. Susan was a Rockette for over 10 years and performed in such productions as the renowned Radio City Christmas Spectacular while making appearances on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and THE ROCKETTE EXPERIENCE® with Broadway Dance Center. Other favorite credits include Paper Mill Playhouse's Funny Girl in New Jersey and Bally's Jubilee in Las Vegas. In 2018, Susan was inducted into the Park Hill School District Alumni Hall of Fame for her contribution to the youth of the Northland community.
Megan began her dance training with Diane when she was 3 years old. She graduated from William Jewell in 1999 with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. During her college years, she performed as an NFL Cheerleader with the Kansas City Chiefs. Megan taught kindergarten in the North Kansas City School District for 5 years before assuming a full-time role at DSOD.
