Meet Our January Instructors

At AVA Dance Company, all of our weekly drop-in classes are taught by current and former professional NBA & NFL dancers or dance educators!

Click through to learn more about this month's instructors:

January 5, Street Jazz with Nadeen

Nadeen Rollins is the Director of the Washington Spirit’s Entertainment Team, The Spirit Crew! She graduated from The University of Virginia in 2021 where she was a member of The Virginia Dance Team for four years and a captain for one. She is also a former 4X NBA Dancer and an assistant coach for NBA senior dance team, The Wizdom!

January 5, Hip Hop with Ashleigh

As a former 5-time NBA dancer for the Washington Wizards and SoulCycle instructor, Ashleigh loves the way dance blends together athleticism, rhythm and the joy of motion! Her goal is to  challenge you to unlock a deeper version of yourself, while spreading positive energies and having fun in the process. Ashleigh’s music tends to lean towards high-energy, so you know every class will be a party!

When you take class with Ashleigh, expect nothing less than an energetic, hard-hitting combination that will move you past your comfort zone and leave you feeling victorious! Her class is MUCH more than eight counts and choreography, to her, it is about spirituality! She will push you to find strength in vulnerability, encourage you to tap into a deeper threshold of power and help you pull the fighter out from within. Ashleigh's love for dance started over 20 years ago and she hopes that her love radiates through her choreography and teaching style. Come join us in her upcoming class, as we celebrate our love for dance and the fabulous souls of the AVA community!

January 6, Contemporary with Leah

Leah has been dancing and sharing her passion for dance with others for over 30 years. Leah was born and raised in Long Island, NY where her dance career started. In college she led her college dance company and choreographed routines that won leading scores in competitions. After college, Leah danced professionally for the Washington Wizards for three seasons, serving as co-captain of the team during her third season.  During her time dancing professionally for the NBA, she won Rookie of the Year, was chosen to represent her team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the NBA 3x Events; Atlanta, Georgia for the annual All P-R-O Dance Convention; as well as New York City for the 2015 NBA All Star Events. Leah has always loved sharing her passion of dance with her community and is grateful to continue to provide so many dance opportunities to our dancers here in the DMV through AVA Dance Company.

January 6 & 13, Hip Hop 101 with Jaydee

Jaydee is a dancer and choreographer from the DMV. He is a former NBA Dancer for the Washington Wizards and has performed as a member of multiple local dance groups. He has choreographed HipHop, Jazz, Modern, and ballet for collegiate dance companies, dance teams, and  pre-professional dance companies. His style is energetic, full out, and FUN! Jaydee is excited to partner with AVA to create a fun experience for our dance community.

January 7, Pom with Lindsey

Lindsey is a 3X member of the NFL’s Command Force dance team and was named the team’s 2023-2024 Rookie of the Year! She graduated from Elon University, where she was a captain of the national championship-winning D1 Dance Team. Lindsey is a DMV native who grew up training and competing in various styles across the country. She’s excited to be sharing her passion for dance with this community!

January 7, Street Jazz with Joey

Joey is a professional dancer from Bristow, Virginia where he started dancing at the age of 14. He graduated from James Madison University in 2017, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in dance. After graduation, Joey landed his first professional job, completing seven contracts as a dancer with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Since then, he has joined the NFL Entertainment Team, Command Force! Joey’s diverse background in dance has allowed him to gain knowledge and experiences that he is excited to share!

January 11, Hip Hop Fusion with Taylor

Taylor Forbes has over twenty years of dance experience in the DMV area and currently teaches and dances professionally. Since the age of three Taylor has trained in the style of hip-hop, jazz, pom, modern, contemporary, majorette, heels and ballet. In addition to having both high school and collegiate level dance experience, Taylor also had the opportunity of dancing and cheering for The First Ladies of Football, and the Washington Wizards Dancers.

January 12, Jazz with Kyla

Kyla has been dancing for 17 years. She grew up dancing on a competition team and has trained in a variety of styles including jazz, contemporary, hip hop, ballet, and pom. Kyla has performed as one of the group headlining acts at World of Dance Philadelphia and performed with the headlining acts in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. She has also assisted choreographers in various cities. Kyla is a 3X NFL dancer for the Washington Commanders Command Force. Prior to making the Command Force, she performed with AVA at FedEx Field!

January 12, Hip Hop with Anson

Anson began dancing in the hip hop freestyle and battle scenes as a breaker and popper. He later transitioned into hip hop choreography, joining competitive hip hop teams in college. After graduating, Anson joined Day One, a DMV-based hip hop dance team, with whom he regularly competes and performs across the East Coast. More recently, he and his team danced on tour in New York with DJ Manila Killa. He is also the co-founder of Project Gabson, a dance group he formed with his wife that aims to fuse various dance styles into one collective piece.

Beyond his performance experience, Anson teaches at various studios, working with both adult and youth students. He was recently awarded Outstanding Choreography at the Starpower and Imagine Dance competitions for youth teams he coaches. In addition to studio teaching, Anson regularly leads community workshops geared toward dancers of all levels.

January 13, Musical Theater with Jeremy

Jeremy A. McShan is the creator/choreographer of J.A.M. the Revue, DC’s popular Top 40’s Music Concert and Dance Show. He also serves on the faculty at BalletNova Center for Dance as well at The Madeira School. He has a wide range of dance training and specializes in Jazz, Theatre and Hip Hop. He has choreographed for several theatres, amusement parks, professional sports dance teams, to name a few.

January 14, Heels with Nicole

Nicole is a veteran NBA Dancer, former AFL dancer, dance cardio fitness instructor and current Assistant Coach for the Washington Wizards’ Dancers. She has been dancing and performing since the age of 3, and choreographing for over 7 years. Nicole is hard-hitting and energetic but will still give you sassy and sexy vibes! Oh, and bring your crowns because you will finish her class feeling like the royal kings and queens you are. Let’s werk!

January 14, Advanced Hip Hop with Brittany

Brittany is a professional dancer with over 17 years of training in the areas of hip hop, jazz, pom, and heels. She’s been featured in live shows, music videos, and concerts. Credits: NBA’s Washington Wizards Dancers (5x NBA dancer, 2019 co-captain), Raheem DeVaughn, Wale, Jason Cerda, and Old Dominion University's Dynasty Dance Team (4x College dancer, 2011 captain). Brittany currently choreographs for dance studios, high school/university dance teams, privates, and events throughout the DMV. She also teaches virtually to anyone looking to take their make-up skills to a PRO level. When Brittany’s not dancing she’s working in the field of technology as a Program Manager.

January 18, Pom 101 with Sarah

Sarah is a proud DMV native who grew up immersed in the world of All-Star Cheerleading. Her passion for dance and cheer reignited when she moved to Baltimore, where she performed for several professional teams, including the Chesapeake Bayhawks (Major League Lacrosse), Baltimore Blast (Major Arena Soccer League), and Baltimore Brigade (Arena Football League). Sarah’s dedication and love for the sport ultimately led her to achieve her dream of becoming a Baltimore Ravens Cheerleader. Beyond the sidelines, Sarah is the founder of Maryland Mindfulness and Mental Performance Counseling, where she supports clients as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She’s also a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher. Sarah’s dance style is all about high-energy precision—served with a side of sass and a whole lot of smiles!

January 19, Pom with Louis

Louis began studying dance at the age of eight at the Dance Theatre of New Jersey. He graduated with a degree in Nuclear Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he was a member of the dance team for three years and captain for two. Louis has worked with over 1,000 high school and college dancers across the country with the National Dance Alliance as a coach, choreographer, and mentor. He has judged regional and national competitions, received national awards for choreography, and taught virtual dance classes full-time during the COVID pandemic. Most recently, Louis was named a rookie for the NFL’s Washington Commanders’ Command Force entertainment team! Louis is excited to bring over 15 years of dance experience in pom, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, ballet, and acro to the AVA Dance Community. Time to go full out fever!

January 19, Jazz with Monica

Monica is a Boston native who grew up training & competitively dancing in jazz, tap, hip-hop, ballet, and contemporary. She was Co-Captain & Co-choreographer of the Bison Girls Dance Team at Bucknell University for two years. Currently, Monica is a third year NFL Dancer for the Washington Commanders’ Command Force. Full time, she works as a senior financial analyst in the Aerospace and Defense industry. She is thrilled about getting back into choreographing & teaching and excited about meeting & dancing with dancers in the DMV.

January 20, Hip Hop with Sydney

Sydney is an accomplished competitive dance choreographer and former Director of Apex Friendship Dance Program in Raleigh, NC. She holds a degree in Dance Education from Meredith College, where she was a member of two pre-professional dance companies, and served as co-manager for the Jazz and Tap company.

January 20 & 27, Jazz 101 with Audrey

Audrey spent 1 season as a Wizards Dancer (2023-2024) and started off her dance journey in DC by taking AVA classes!  She has trained at the professional level in countless dance styles from Dallas to Duke University to DC, but she specializes in hard-hitting contemporary, dynamic jazz, and empowering heels choreography. Audrey teaches a high-energy class that is designed to empower every kind of dancer to take on new choreography with confidence and push the boundaries of their movement quality and style.

January 21, Pom with Jules

Julianna Rink is a classically trained dancer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She grew up training at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Lincoln Park Performing Arts High School, and graduated from Point Park University with a concentration in Jazz. She also trained at the Joffrey Ballet Chicago, Ballet Met, and Houston Met summer intensives, and has performed in works by Kate Skarpetowski, Mark Burrell, and Rocker Verastique, and many more. Julianna has also worked with Evolve Entertainment performing at places such as Heinz Field and Blake Shelton’s VIP concert event. She is now dancing professionally in the NFL as a 6th season vet and Captain of the Washington Commanders’ Command Force.

January 21, Advanced Jazz with Alexis

Alexis Savage is a professional dancer who trained at her family’s studio, Savage Dance Company. Growing up, she was a competitive dancer who also toured with several conventions as a professional assistant. She pursued her passion of dance in college on the University of Maryland Dance Team, where she was a 2x Captain. After graduation, Alexis’ dreams came true when she became a professional NFL Dancer in 2024 for the Washington Commanders’ Command Force (where she was also named the 2024-2025 Rookie of the Year). She currently teaches/choreographs at Savage Dance Company and for high schools around Maryland. Alexis is signed to Clear Talent Agency and is very excited to share her passion of dance!

January 25, Contemporary with Gab

Gab is a professional dancer, born and raised in Queens, NY, but currently resides in the DMV area where she received her BA in Dance from JMU in 2019. Currently, Gab coaches competition teams, is an instructor at other local studios, and teaches at numerous workshops & intensives. She most recently performed as a background dancer at MGM’s Legendary Nights for renowned Vietnamese artists and finished her season as a modern/contemporary dancer with DanceArtTheater. She also co-founded Project Gabson in 2023 alongside her husband, Anson, with the goal of bringing together various dance styles to create unique, thought-provoking pieces. She is trained in contemporary, jazz, various hip hop styles, street jazz, modern, ballet, and improvisation. As an instructor, her mission is to engage students with rewarding dance experiences, highlighting the importance of developing their own identity through movement.

January 26, Street Jazz with Ayanna

Ayanna is a 4x NBA dancer for the Washington Wizards. She began her dance career as a competitive dancer before attending Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC. Ayanna attended Marshall University where she was on their dance team for 3 years. She has over 20 years of dance experience in multiple styles such as hip hop, jazz, tap, ballet and contemporary.

January 26, Heels with Julia

Julia is a 4x NBA Wizards Dancer with, including 2 seasons as fitness lead for the team. Off the court, she’s choreographed winning routines for high school pom squads and competitive dance teams, bringing her bold style to dancers of all levels. Her classes are a powerful blend of strength, sass, and sexy confidence, with a heavy dose of fun. Julia is all about creating a space where everyone feels welcome, empowered, and free to move unapologetically. Her classes are high energy, feel good, and FULL OUT. Expect to sweat, slay, and leave smiling.

January 27, Technique with Rachel

As a seasoned dance educator and choreographer, Rachel brings over 20 years of dance experience. With a strong foundation in competitive dance, she specializes in jazz technique, tap, lyrical, and contemporary styles. Rachel has coached and choreographed for competitive teams, creating award-winning routines that showcase her dancers' strengths. Her passion lies in helping dancers push beyond their limits while maintaining their love for the art. With a blend of technical precision and expressive artistry, Rachel believes dance is a powerful outlet for the soul, meant to evoke deep emotions and connect us to our innermost selves.

January 28, Contemporary with Marquise

With 15 years of dance experience and 11 years of transformative teaching experience, Marquise brings unparalleled expertise to every studio and stage. A proud graduate of Kennesaw State University's prestigious dance program-Georgia's largest and most acclaimed collegiate dance institution, Marquise holds a Minor in Dance with specialized training in dance pedagogy.

Versatility defines Marquise's approach, with comprehensive training spanning classical and contemporary ballet, heels, jazz, modern, contemporary, lyrical, hip-hop, Afro dance, and Gaga technique, and more. Having collaborated with world-renowned choreographers, Marquise brings global perspectives and innovative methods to each class.

For the past seven years, Marquise has become a leader of the DMV dance community, nurturing technical excellence while empowering dancers to discover their authentic artistic voices. Beyond teaching steps, Marquise creates 1 of 1 experiences that build confidence, discipline, and creative expression-guiding each student toward their fullest potential.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

January 28, Heels with Lexx

With a mastery of advanced heels dancing techniques and a passion for blending hip hop, jazz, and sultry sounds, Lexxrated brings a mesmerizing experience to the floor. Known for infusing each performance with energy, elegance, and a touch of sensuality, Lexxrated brings a unique vibe that captivates audiences and leaves them craving more. She has cheered professionally for the Washington Wizards and also served as the coach for the Howard University Bisonettes Dance Ensemble. Prepare to be enchanted by the dynamic and unforgettable performances of this talented advanced heels dancer.