Jessie May
Jessie May is the Owner and CEO of Ascend Studios Dance Studio in Midwest City, Oklahoma, where she has led the organization for over 12 years. Holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma, Jessie has dedicated her career to dance education and arts-based youth development. She is widely known for pioneering non-competition studio models that emphasize character, confidence, leadership, and inclusion—creating holistic learning environments that go far beyond rankings and trophies.
Under her leadership, Ascend Studios now serves more than 350 families each week, offering 57 classes, multiple annual productions, and robust scholarship and leadership programs that make high-quality arts education accessible to all. Jessie’s work spans curriculum design, faculty development, and community-centered programming, with a focus on nurturing both student growth and professional pathways for educators.
Her most notable professional achievement is transforming Ascend into a thriving, non-competition studio that has maintained strong enrollment, staff stability, and community trust—even through challenging periods such as 2020. She credits this success to her willingness to lead with bravery and vision, to build without a roadmap, and to prioritize people and community needs over traditional competitive structures.
Beyond the studio, Jessie is deeply passionate about leadership development, storytelling, and mentorship. Through Ascend's scholarship and development programs, she creates opportunities for students who might otherwise be excluded from the arts. She also seeks to expand her impact through writing, speaking, and thought leadership, inspiring other studio owners and arts educators to re-imagine what inclusive, community-focused dance education can be.
Her career reflects a commitment not only to artistic excellence, but to shaping confident, capable, and compassionate young leaders.
• University of Oklahoma - BFA Ballet Pedagogy
• 100 Magazine Honoree 2024
• National Dance Educaton Organizaton
• Rhythm Works Integrative Dance Certified
• Ascending Artists Fiscal Sponsorship
What do you attribute your success to?
Jessie attributes her success to bravery and vision — specifically, her willingness to step away from the traditional, competition-based studio model and build something different. She has led with the courage to pioneer programs without a roadmap, to put faculty and staff first, and to invite them into the process of shaping and growing the organization. By investing deeply in people and responding to community needs rather than comparison or competition, Jessie has created a culture that values sustainability, collaboration, and meaningful impact as much as artistic excellence.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Jessie shared that the best career advice she received was to let experience be her teacher. Her growth has come from being willing to learn in real time—by observing gaps in studio culture, listening closely to the people she serves, and allowing those lessons to shape her leadership philosophy. Rather than following a prescribed path, her mentorship journey has been largely self-directed through lived experience, giving her the freedom to build a model rooted in empathy, adaptability, and continuous improvement.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Jessie encourages young women to lead with courage—starting small, asking for help, and trusting their vision. She reminds them not to wait for perfection or permission, not to be afraid of doing things differently, and to intentionally surround themselves with people who champion growth, collaboration, and possibility rather than comparison.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Jessie sees staff development and leadership growth as both the greatest challenge and the greatest opportunity in expanding organizations. By cultivating strong, supported leaders and building sustainable, people-centered teams, she believes the future of arts education - and any organization - can move beyond competition and toward a model rooted in collaboration, wellness, and long-term impact—where both students and educators truly thrive.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Jessie is guided by courage, integrity, and a deep commitment to community and people. She prioritizes creating environments where students feel seen, supported, and empowered—and where success is measured not by comparison or trophies, but by confidence, character, and personal growth.