College of Education alumna Amanda Leyde is turning her vision for a better dance experience into a thriving community for young people. 

Earlier this summer, we shared Amanda’s story as part of an Arizona Online alumni feature, highlighting her journey from the commercial dance industry to becoming the founder of Summit Dance Company. Now, a new video offers an even closer look at Amanda’s journey, her leadership philosophy and the experiences that shaped her path. 

Amanda knows what it means to build something from the ground up. After leaving the commercial dance industry, she founded Summit Dance Company in Redmond, Washington, in 2016 with a simple goal: create the kind of supportive environment she wished she had experienced growing up. 

Today, Summit Dance Company has grown into a 7,000-square-foot facility with four studios and 400 students, offering programs ranging from ballet and jazz to hip hop and musical theater. As founder, CEO and director, Amanda is helping young dancers build confidence, discover their strengths and feel comfortable being themselves. 

As Amanda looked for ways to expand her impact as a community leader, she turned to the University of Arizona's Bachelor of Science in Leadership and Learning Innovation, a College of Education program offered in partnership with Arizona Online. The program prepares students to lead and create meaningful change across educational, organizational, and community settings. 

For Amanda, the Arizona Online format provided the flexibility she needed to balance earning her degree with being a busy mom and business owner. She was also able to immediately apply what she learned to her work at Summit Dance Company, including skills from a program planning course that helped strengthen her business operations. 

Amanda graduated with her B.S. in Leadership and Learning Innovation in 2026, adding a new dimension to the leadership skills she had already developed through building her business and serving her community. 

Her advice for anyone considering taking their own next step? 

"Do it. Do it scared.”

Amanda’s story is a powerful example of how a College of Education degree can prepare graduates to lead not only in traditional educational settings, but wherever learning, leadership and community impact intersect. 

Want to learn more about Amanda’s journey? Read the original Arizona Online feature and watch the new video to hear Amanda share her story in her own words.

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/xWWCBURvaag?si=tYj9JTF-tFXivlb4

Arizona Online Feature: https://online.arizona.edu/news/arizona-online-alumni-feature-amanda-leyde