About
Ambition Baton Twirling and Dance is a recreational and competitive studio that prides itself on the number one goal of having fun and a smaller studio environment for more one on one teaching. As a member of Ambition Baton Twirling you will learn self-confidence, self-discipline, poise and the ability to perform in front of any audience.
At Ambition we offer group classes and private instruction for both baton twirling and dance ranging from beginners to the advanced level. Students will have the opportunity to be a part of a team where they learn that team work and respecting others is important. We also offer performance opportunities throughout the year because showing off your talents is more fun than just attending class every week! Ambition will hold multiple performance opportunities throughout the year including parades, halftime performances and competitions!
Meet Our Staff
Owner & Head Coach:
Jessica Maxwell
Ambition Baton Twirling was founded in 2008 by Jessica (Baker) Maxwell. Jessica has always had a love of baton twirling and sharing her passion with others. Jessica started baton twirling when she was 5 years old and started teaching at age 15. Jessica was the Feature Twirler at Western Illinois University where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in business and dance. She has always had a love for performance and that has taken her to the Miss Iowa stage where she won Preliminary talent and was the 2nd runner up in 2016. She is now the Miss Iowa Producer and a National Baton Twirling Alliance Judge.
Dance Coach:
Alanna Lair
Alanna has been dancing since the age of 5 in many styles including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop and Pom! Her passion for dancing began in middle school when She began to compete competitively and had an undefeated studio career. She has had the opportunity to learn from amazing dance instructors around state of Iowa and is excited to pass her knowledge down to the next generation of dancers. She was a member of the West High Varsity dance team as well as The Kirkwood Community College dance team. She also won best choreography at two dance competitions in the mid-west this past year. Being a dance instructor as well as a Choreographer is one of her many passions! “I can’t wait to continue to grow my dance platform at Ambition and share my knowledge with my students!”
Twirling Coach:
Alexis Ashton
Alexis is a recent graduate of Iowa State University where she represented the Cyclones as one of their Feature Twirlers. Throughout her college career, completing grad school, and competing in the Miss Iowa Scholarship program, she also found time to coach baton. When you love a sport as much as she does, you find ways to share it with others in the mix of a busy life. Lexi is a full time project engineer during the day, but aton twirling allows her to continue to use my creative mindset outside of work as well. Lexi grew up as a student here at Ambition and she is excited to be back at Ambition on the other side!
Twirling Coach:
Grace Wood
Grace is a recent Iowa State University graduate, where she completed her undergraduate and master’s degree in nutrition, and represented the Cyclones as a feature twirler. Grace has been twirling since she was 3, and has won numerous state, regional, and national titles of the years, including Little Miss Majorette of America, Juvenile Grand National Twirling Champion, and 2022 Bill Riley Talent Search Grand Champion. But her favorite part of baton twirling has never been competing; she loves to coach and watch her students learn and grow. Although she now resides in Iowa City, Grace is still a Cyclone working for Iowa State University as a program coordinator for a statewide community health project.
Twirling Coach:
Amanda Parsons
Amanda is a former competitive twirler and dancer of 15 years. She was Coach Jessica’s very first student and enjoyed every second growing up in the studio. Amanda attended George Mason University where she danced competitively for 3 years and graduated with a BS in Community Health and Masters in Public Health. She currently works at the Stead Family Children’s Hospital as a pediatric oncology research associate. Amanda will be coaching private lessons this year.
Twirling Coach:
Emily Thompson
Emily is a former competitive baton twirler with over 13 years of experience. Emily is a 2x Miss Majorette of Ohio along with many other accomplishments over her twirling career. She has always had a true appreciation and passion for this sport. She began teaching at age 14 where she discovered a new found passion for sharing her twirling knowledge with others. Emily is excited to be a part of Ambition and to be able to continue to share the love of baton twirling with others.
Twirling Coach:
Mandy Bendezu
Mandy is a former competitive baton twirler in the state of Iowa and twirled on the majorette line at the University of Tennessee. She is currently a dental student at the University of Iowa and is excited to work with students as an Ambition coach.