Formerly known as
Kelly's Kuties Baton and Poms
About Us!
A few notes about the unique sport of baton twirling and the classes that are being offered this school year. Our program is open to all children, regardless of the school they attend. We primarily serve children in the Mehlville School District, but any child inside or outside of the district is welcome. Classes are held in the gyms of Trautwein Elementary, Washington Middle School Queen of All Saints & Point Elementary. Kelly’s Kuties has over 40 years of experience under the direction of coach Kelly Wicks who is an NBTA (National Baton Twirling Association) certified Judge and Director. In 2013, Emily Wicks Hawkins took over the Kuties and has been the primary instructor ever since. Emily’s resume includes holding the title of Mrs. Missouri 2015, cheering as a St. Louis Rams Cheerleader, twirling at Ole Miss as the Ole Miss Feature Twirler, being a US Twirling Ambassador in Peru along with numerous other titles. Emily currently is the coach of the National Champion High School Twirling Line, The Mehlville Majorettes, and also has had twirlers at Oakville High School, Seckman High School, Marquette High School, Ritenour High School, CBC High School, Pattonville High School and Incarnate Word.
We offer classes ranging from the novice level to the elite level. You may have seen the girls perform in the opening production and parade for the Vailed Profit Organization in St. Louis, The Tim Ezell Show, multiple school parades, and in the St. Patrick’s Parade downtown where they received numerous awards including Best Dance Studio.
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Our competition group has been fortunate enough to be the Missouri State Twirling Champions for the past 25 years and have won numerous USA/World Championship titles at the National Baton Twirling Competition in South Bend, Indiana. As well as competing in competitions, the group has performed for the NFL, MLB, Harlem Globetrotters, at Walt Disney World in Florida, Universal Studios Orlando, Silver Dollar City, The Amazing Acrobats of China Show & the Branson Variety Theater in Branson, Missouri.
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Many of our ladies have gone on to attend college on baton twirling scholarships. We have had girls at the following universities: Purdue University, Mississippi State University, The University of Alabama, The University of Arkansas, The University of Cincinnati, The University of Mississippi, The University of Tennessee, Ball State University, Lindenwood University, Southeast Missouri State University, Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, & Stephen F. Austin State University. Many of our members hold Missouri State Championship titles as well as National Solo Championship Titles. We have had members perform as featured twirlers with the Muny Theater, Six Flags – St. Louis, the Special Olympics, and as guest performers at the St. Louis First Night Celebration which is held on New Year's Eve in downtown St. Louis. We have the former Miss Missouri Outstanding Teen 2015 and Miss Missouri qualifiers who have wowed audiences with their baton twirling talent routines and have won talent awards with those routines. In addition, we have also had girls compete and qualify for Missouri Junior Miss where baton twirling was their talent. We are very proud of our young ladies’ achievements and we hope that your daughter or son will be a part of our team!
Our Instructors!
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Ashley Wicks
Much like her sister Abby, Ashley was a member of Kelly's Kuties Elite Team and Captain of the Mehlville Majorettes. Ashley grew up, following her sisters, in the world of baton twirling. She has twirled at numerous community events and numerous high schools around the area. After high school, Ashley continued her twirling career at the University of Arkansas in front of 80,000 fans as a part of the Razorback Marching Band (The Best in Sight and Sound)! Ashley ended her career at Arkansas as the Captain and with an abundant amount of hours twirling at different events throughout Arkansas under her belt. After three years, she graduated early with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Anthropology. She is excited to start Law School in the coming year. Ashley is excited to move back home and begin, full-time, helping students reach their full twirling potentials!
Emily Wicks Hawkins
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Emily is the full-time director, artistic director & coach for St. Louis Performance Academy, home of "Kelly's Kuties". She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ole Miss with an Honors B.F.A. Degree and a minor in business. She is a former National Champion baton twirler, Ole Miss Feature Twirler, Miss College Majorette of Mississippi, Mississippi Collegiate Twirling Champion, Missouri State Champion, Peru Twirling Ambassador and Miss Missouri Talent Winner. Besides twirling, Emily has performed at the Muny Theatre, Tent Theatre, and the Fabulous Fox Theatre. She has also founded a student dance company and choreographed and performed for professional dance companies. She was Mrs. Missouri USA 2015 and an NFL Cheerleader for 2 seasons. For program information, you can contact Emily at (314) 973-5000
Abby Faulkner
Abby was a member of Kelly's Kuties Elite Team and Captain of the Mehlville Majorettes. Abby grew up in the world of baton twirling. She twirled in numerous stage productions at The Muny, Stages, and numerous high schools around the area. After high school, Abby continued twirling in front of 80,000 fans at the University of Arkansas as a part of the Razorback Marching Band. After 2 years of twirling at the University of Arkansas, Abby returned home and is now a registered nurse at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in the NICU. Abby received her BSN in nursing at Barnes-Jewish College of Nursing at Washington University. She teaches multiple, outstanding students as well as helping Emily throughout the creative process and classes. She is very excited to be back and cannot wait to continue her passion of baton twirling/ teaching
Miranda Proctor​
Miranda is a former University of South Carolina Feature Twirler. Throughout her many years of competitive baton twirling she has won numerous state, regional, and national titles. She was a member of Team USA four times, competing in British Columbia, Norway, France, and England. She has won two world gold medals. In addition to being a member of Team USA, she is the 2022 Grand National Three Baton Champion. Miranda was honored to be chosen as a USA Twirling Ambassador to Peru and had an incredible experience where she was able to share her passion of baton twirling with so many across the world. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in December of 2022 and is now studying at Logan University to become a chiropractor, here in St Louis!
Kelly Clark Wicks
Kelly has been teaching twirling for the past 36 years. She is a National Baton Twirling judge and enjoys judging across the United States. She is also a certified judge for the Miss America Organization. Kelly just got inducted into the Mehlville School District Alumni Hall of Fame for her work with the Mehlville Majorettes and other accomplishments throughout the community of Saint Louis! Kelly holds a Juris Doctorate Degree from St. Louis University and was valedictorian of her graduating class of Mehlville Senior High. She is a small business owner in south St. Louis County, operating a State Farm Insurance Agency. You can contact Kelly at (314) 660-1111
Alexis Piskulic​
Alexis holds several State, Regional, and National Championship titles, is a 9-time Junior Olympic Gold Medalist, the 2018 Senior Miss Majorette of Missouri, a recipient of the prestigious Junior Olympic Joel Ferrell Award, the 2018 St. Louis Teen Talent MVP award winner, and a Regina Moxley Staab Scholarship winner. In 2015, she was crowned Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen, where she was the overall talent winner. While completing her undergraduate degree as a Pre-Law student at Purdue University, Alexis continued her twirling career as a Feature Twirler, holding the positions of Silver Twin and Miss Boilerette, while serving as a spokesperson for the “All-American” Marching Band. She graduated with a B.S. in Political Science and a B.A. in Sociology before returning to Missouri, where she is currently attending Saint Louis University School of Law, pursuing a dual degree to earn her Juris Doctorate and Master of Public Health.
Julie Skaggs Round​
Julie is a former member of Kelly's Kuties and was the Feature Twirler for Oakville High School from 2007-2011. After high school, Julie graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with minors in Business and Biology. She twirled as a University of Tennessee Majorette in Neyland Stadium, performing in front of crowds of over 100,000 people. As a UT Majorette, she competed in the Twirlmania Collegiate Finals in Epcot at Disney World and at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Center in Orlando, FL. Julie is a former Missouri State Champion and regularly placed in the Advanced Top Ten in multiple batons. Julie is thrilled to be back at SLPA teaching the newest generation of amazing twirlers as well as helping continue the tradition of exceptional twirling at Oakville with the Tiger Twirlers!
Contact Us!
Getting Here:
Currently, we work out of facilities around the Saint Louis area!
Our Address:
Saint Louis, Missouri
Phone:
314-973-5000