Ian Howe began tap dancing at age five after seeing Savion Glover on Sesame Street, sparking a lifelong passion for performance. He trained and competed for almost a decade at Backstage Dance Studio under Marty Roberts, taking classes from legends such as Frank Hatchett, Joe Tremaine, and Joe Lantieri. In 2004, Ian embarked on a career as a dancer and singer with Holland America Line, performing internationally for nearly eight years before returning to Washington to teach, choreograph, and inspire the next generation of dancers.

In 2018, Ian became Owner and Artistic Director of Pacific West Performing Arts, with locations in Snohomish and Lake Stevens. He teaches and choreographs nationally across multiple states and internationally, including Australia’s Sydney and Gold Coast, running masterclasses, intensives, and competitive choreography programs. Ian has performed extensively with 3rd Shift Dance under Xaviera Vandermay, collaborating with artists such as Caela Bailey, Naomi Wachira, Whitney Mongé, and Fly Moon Royalty, as well as appearing in music videos, live performances across the Pacific Northwest and Los Angeles, and community partnerships with the Lupus Foundation of America.

In 2025, Ian founded AXIA, a multi-faceted dance brand dedicated to creativity, collaboration, and growth for emerging dancers. Under AXIA, he leads the AXIA Assistant Program, giving dancers hands-on experience traveling with him both nationally and internationally, assisting in classes and choreography while learning to lead their own sessions. AXIA also includes AXIA Workshops, AXIA Choreography, and AXIA Educator Lab, offering a full suite of mentorship, intensives, and collaborative projects designed to prepare dancers for professional careers.

Outside of AXIA, Ian runs Dance Meets The Eye, a photography business capturing the artistry of dance, and continues to choreograph musicals and work with Platinum National Dance Competition as a director, judge, and emcee. Known for combining technical precision with infectious energy, Ian continues to inspire dancers worldwide, staying true to his mission to “Motivate & Inspire through Dance.”