Meet Our March Instructors

Many of our March drop-in instructors also choreographed for our Performance Showcase!

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:

March 1, 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.

March 2, 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 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.

March 2, Heels 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!

March 3, 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.

March 3, Jazz 101 with Audrey (Week 2)

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.

March 4, Hip Hop 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!

March 9, Hip Hop Pom Fusion 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!

March 10, 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.

March 10, Jazz with Jackie

Jackie is currently a 4th year professional NFL Cheerleader for the Washington Commanders and 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!

March 11, 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.

March 16, 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.

March 16, Tap 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.

March 17, Street Jazz with Kayo

Kayo’s passion for dance began at the age of two. She started competing at the age of six, and she sustained her competitive career for twelve consecutive years. Outside of the competition world, Kayo has performed on multiple stages such as the Apollo Theatre, in New York City, and the Kennedy Center, in Washington D.C. Kayo has trained in six genres of dance which include Russian Ballet, Cecchetti Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz and Lyrical. During her competitive years, numerous titles have been achieved, including the 2010 Miss Legacy award. In 2010, Kayo attended Marshall University, where she became a member of the Marshall University Dance

March 17, Pom 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!

March 18, 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!

March 18, 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!

March 22, Musical Theater with Danielle

Danielle Tuomey holds a BFA in dance from Mercyhurst University. She is a 2X Wizards Dancer for the Washington Wizards NBA team. Other professional experiences include Toby’s Dinner Theatre; A Chorus Line, The MET; Head Over Heels, Other Voices Theatre; The Wizard of Oz, and performing in and choreographing various flash mobs for Carbone Entertainment, Inc. Additionally, she was a 2x captain of the Mercyhurst University Dance Team and is trained in jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrical, tap, modern, hip hop, & more!

March 22, Hip Hop 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!

March 23, Heels 101 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.

March 24, Contemporary with Keyante

Keyante is a former 4x NBA Dancer for the Washington Wizards, Wiz Kids & Mystics Mayhem Coach, Teacher & Choreographer. He also spent 1 season with the Portland Trail Blazers Dancers. He has choreographed a dance scene for the television show “Chad” on the TBS Network, a dance scene for the television show “Shrill” on the Hulu network and helped coordinate a rage scene for the movie “Metal Lords” on the Netflix network. He is the former Director, Founder and President of the Dance Theatre Company Black Cultured Performing Arts, which ran from 2017-2021 in both Columbus, OH & Portland, OR. He has been actively acting and dancing, as well as choreographing, writing and directing productions for the past 13 years.

March 24, 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!

March 25, 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.

March 25, 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!

March 29, Contemporary 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.

March 29, Pom 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.

March 30, 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.

March 31, 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.

March 31, Jazz Pom Fusion with Maya

Maya is a professional dancer with over 25 years of training. She has spent three seasons with the Washington Commanders Command Force, including 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.

Maya is also a 305 Fitness dance cardio instructor, where she leads high-energy classes centered on self-love and joy.

She is a proud graduate of St. John’s University, where she was a four-year member of the dance team and part of the UDA Hip Hop National Championship title in 2016. In addition to her work on the field and in the studio, Maya serves as lead choreographer for the Congressional Chorus, now in her second year.