Graceland University Dance Clinics

Coaching Staff

JaShawn Walker | Head Coach

JaShawn Walker started dancing at the age of 7 at MGM Studio of the Dance in Wichita, KS and later attended Midwest Dance Mechanix in Valley Center, KS. She danced competitively as a member of the Midwest Dance Mechanix Company. She has a dance background in jazz, ballet, lyrical, pointe and hip hop. While dancing at Midwest Dance Mechanix she was also a convention assistant for iHollywood Dance Convention. JaShawn has received numerous scholarships and awards including Dance of the Year at Midwest Dance Mechanix. She continued her dance career at the University of Kansas as a Rock Chalk Dancer. She was on the team for 4 years and held a captain position for 2 years. While dancing at KU she competed at UDA College Nationals, performed at 8 NCAA tournaments, numerous charity events and KU sporting events including football, basketball and volleyball. After moving to Kansas City she joined the Kansas City Twisters Dance Team where she performed and cheered for the Kansas City Tornadoes in Hyvee Arena. JaShawn is now the co-owner of Kreative Force Choreo, a company providing unique high energy routines for dance teams, live performances, music videos and more.

Mari Chandler | Assistant Coach

Chandler, who serves in the role of Athletic Operations as well, stepped into the role of Head Dance Coach in the Fall of 2018.

She has been at Graceland for a total of 19 years, working in several departments. Chandler served as the Club Cheer coach from Fall 2002-Spring 2009. In 2009 Cheer and Dance were officially added as sports and she continued to serve as the Varsity head coach through spring 2012.

In 2007, Chandler moved to the athletic department and became the Office Manager for 17 sports at the time, as well as the cheer coach. In 2012 her position transferred into full-time Athletic Operations and she stepped away as the cheer coach.

In high school, Mari was a four-year basketball and softball starter and was an active member of the cheer and dance squads.

Mari has two children, Tyson McLain of Trenton, MO and Danica (McLain) Stoll (GU Alum) of Lamoni, IA.

Alli Arnold | Assistant Coach

Alli Arnold is a Graceland University Alumni who graduated in 2000 with a double major in Commercial Design and Studio Art with an emphasis in Painting. While at Graceland, Alli was on the Gadets Dance Team serving as co-captain her sophomore and junior years and captain her senior year. It was Alli’s senior year that the Gadets qualified for and attended the NDA Nationals for the first time in Gadets history.

After college, Alli danced professionally for the Kansas City Knights ABA Basketball League in 2000 and 2001. Alli then went on to coach the Gardner Edgerton Blazerettes High School Varsity Dance Team in Kansas with her sister and fellow Graceland Alum Ashley (Arnold) Harker (’02). The two coached together for 15 years and took their teams to great competitive success along with being a nationally-ranked program. Alli has also served as a judge for area competitions and tryouts along with choreographing for numerous programs.

Alli currently resides in Olathe, Kansas with her husband, Graceland’s Director of Communications, Shane Adams (’99) and their two dogs Buzz and Woody.