Meet Our June 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!

Want to train with the best? This June, the Command Force’s last four consecutive ‘Rookies of the Year’ (Louis, Alexis, Lindsey & Jackie) are all teaching a drop-in class at AVA!

We're also excited to welcome our newest instructor, Keymiiah, this month!

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

June 1, Tap 101 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.

June 1, Contemporary Solo Series 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.

June 2, 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.

June 2, Contemporary with Cierra

Cierra has been dancing for over 20 years and is trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, pom, and modern. Throughout her collegiate career, Cierra was a member of the Rutgers University Dance Team and competed on the jazz and pom teams at UDA College Nationals. In 2014, Cierra won the title of Miss New Jersey, in which she shared her dance talent with audiences all over the East Coast and was awarded the preliminary talent award three out of the four years she competed for the title. This led her to fulfill her dream of performing on the Miss America stage. She danced professionally in the NBA for the Washington Wizards for two seasons.  When she isn't dancing, Cierra leads storytelling workshops through Unlock Your Story and has completed her dissertation for her Ph.D. in education. You can visit her website at cierrakalerjones.com.

June 3, Hip Hop with Marcel

B. Marcel Smith’s interest in the arts began after performing in Missoula Children’s Theatre’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk in Bern, Switzerland. After moving back to the U.S., Marcel was cast as a Principal Dancer in Debbie Allen’s Alex in Wonderland at the Kennedy Center. After graduating from Penn State University with a B.A, in Theatre, he continued to pursue musical theatre being involved in a revival of Rent the Musical in the tri-state area. In 2018, Marcel made history as the 1st male dancer and captain of the 1st coed NBA dance team, the Washington Wizards Dancers; spending 5 seasons with them. Marcel has been an educator for over a decade and currently serves as a Performing Arts teacher and A/V Technician at Georgetown Day School in Washington D.C.

June 3, Heels with Joey

Joey is a professional dancer from Bristow, Virginia and a 3X NFL dancer for the Washington Commanders’ Command Force! 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. Joey’s diverse background in dance has allowed him to gain knowledge and experiences that he is excited to share!

June 7, Hip Hop 101 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!

June 7 & 8, Pom Solo Series 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 fourth 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.

June 8, 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. Louis is a 2X member of the NFL’s Washington Commanders’ Command Force entertainment team and was named Rookie of the Year for the 2025-2026 season! 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!

June 9, HBCU Style with Keymiiah

Hailing from Hinesville, Georgia, Keymiiah Bennett is a professional dancer, performer, and instructor and currently a 3x Washington Wizards dancer. His style blends performance energy, confidence, and HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities)-inspired movement to create classes that are powerful, fun, and unforgettable.

Passionate about inspiring others through dance, Keymiiah creates a space where dancers can grow in confidence, performance quality, and self-expression while bringing high-energy performance to every class.

June 9, Street Jazz with Megan

Megan is a 4x NBA Wizards Dancer and 1x Wiz Kids and Mystics Mayhem assistant coach. During her final season with the Wizards Dancer, she held the title of Captain! In Seattle, she was an NFL dancer for the Seattle Seahawks and a 4-year member / 3-year captain of the University of Washington Dance Team. She spent three years as a USA dance instructor, traveling and teaching dance teams up and down the West Coast.

June 10, Jazz with Jackie

Jackie spent 4 seasons as a professional NFL Cheerleader for the Washington Commanders, with her final season holding the title as co-captain. Prior to going pro, Jackie attended Virginia Commonwealth University where she was a member of the Gold Rush Dance Team for four years and named Captain her senior year. Jackie has over 20+ years dance experience in various genres including jazz, hip-hop, ballet, contemporary, and pom. Fun Fact: at the end of her Rookie Season with the Washington Commanders, Jackie was named Rookie of the Year by her teammates! She brings a lot of power behind her dancing, so get ready to pump up the energy and have some fun!

June 10, Hip Hop with Marrissa

Marrissa is classically trained in ballet and contemporary from the age of 6 at the Dance Etc. School of the Arts. Growing up, she continued her training in the Alvin Ailey summer intensives and performed with Jeoffrey Ballet in the Nutcracker. After high school, Marrissa was a part of the James Madison University Dukettes Dance team, winning two NDA National Championships. Upon graduation, she began her professional dance career as a First Lady of Football on the then Washington Redskins. She grew with the program as it became the NFL’s Command Force and completed 6 seasons, holding the title of Captain for 5 years.

June 14, Hip Hop with Toya

Toya is a 2X member of the NFL’s Command Force Dance Team & also danced two seasons with the Washington Wizards. She was selected to represent the organization at the All-Pro convention in Atlanta, Pro-Action Convention in Las Vegas, and Dance Tour in China. Before performing with the NBA, Toya was previously a part of Trinity Washington University Collegiate Cheer Team, DMV Lady Warriors (ABA league) and Washington Valorettes (AFL league).  She specializes in hip hop performance and teaches Adv. Pro Hip Hop classes. Outside of dance, Toya is a mom and works full time in Human Resources.

June 14 & 15, Hip Hop Solo Series 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!

June 15, Technique & June 30, Contemporary with Olivia

Olivia Lou, a Jacksonville, Florida native received her early training from North Carolina School of the Arts. She graduated cum laude from Jacksonville University’s BFA dance program in 2011, where she had the opportunity to perform works by Jennifer Muller, David Parsons, Také Ueyama, Adrienne Clancy,and Christian Von Howard. She has toured nationally and internationally as a company member with Jennifer Muller/The Works of NewYork City, Surfscape Contemporary Dance Theatre of Florida, ClancyWorks Dance Company of D.C. , and Company Danzante of Virginia. She has been teaching & choreographing various styles and ages for 15 years including responsibilities as a Production Manager, Prop Manager, and an Assistant Director of the AD dance company. Olivia is currently based in Northern Virginia but travels nationally for masterclass & choreography opportunities!

June 16, Musical Theater with Jeremy (Pride Theme)

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.

June 16, Street Jazz with Leah (Pride Theme)

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.

June 17, Jazz Pom Fusion with Maya

Maya is a professional dancer with over 25 years of training. She has spent four seasons with the Washington Commanders Command Force, including one as Captain, one as co-captain, and toured internationally with Tour 66, performing for military communities in Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey. She has also led as a Junior Force coach for two years and served as fitness committee lead for one.

June 17, Hip Hop 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!

June 21, 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 4X NFL dancer for the Washington Commanders Command Force. Prior to making the Command Force, she performed with AVA at FedEx Field!

June 21, Pom 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 fourth 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.

June 22, Street Jazz with Lindsey

Lindsey is a 4X 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!

June 23, Jazz with Jordan

Jordan Frauenheim is a Virginia native, she grew up dancing competitively with a local studio. She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Dance and Choreography. While at VCU, she was also on her college dance team the VCU Gold Rush dancers. Where she held leadership roles including being a captain her senior year. After graduating in May of 2018, Jordan began her life-long dream of becoming a professional dancer. That dream came true in 2019 when she became a member of the then Washington Redskins’ First Ladies! Since then, Jordan spent 5 seasons dancing for the now Washington Commanders and was named a captain for both the 2022 and 2023 seasons!

June 23, Pom 101 with Melanie

Melanie Jerome was born and raised in Eldersburg, Maryland. She began dancing when she was three years old. Melanie attended Baltimore School for the Arts where she had intense ballet and modern training everyday. After graduating from BSA, she received a dance scholarship to George Mason University. There she earned her BFA in Dance, graduating with “Outstanding Achievement in the Major”. Melanie graduated in the “glorious” year of 2020 which she actually considers a blessing in disguise. She took the opportunity to spontaneously audition for the Tennessee Titans Cheerleading Team and was fortunate to join for the 2021-2022 season. Becoming an NFL Cheerleader has opened so many unexpected doors including choreographing for the DUKE Dancing Devils and is now the Assistant Coach for Mount St. Mary’s Dance Team. Melanie is so happy to be back in the DMV teaching, choreographing and of course smiling with so many dancers.

June 24, Contemporary with Tanner

Tanner Fant is a Mississippi native who has devoted her life to advocacy through dance and the performing arts. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and minor in psychology. Tanner performed internationally with Creative Studios by NCLH on Regent Seven Seas Cruises and was featured in works by Patti Wilcox, Chase Benz and Britt Stewart. She then went on to serve as Assistant Cruise Director, performing with world-renowned guest entertainers and choreographing works on the onboard entertainment team.

Her accolades include the title of Mississippi’s Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) and Top 10 at America’s DYW, 1st runner up to Miss Mississippi (Miss America Organization) and overall talent winner, and Top 100 finalist on So You Think You Can Dance.

June 24, Sensual Hip Hop 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.

June 29, Street 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!

June 30, Hip Hop 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.