October Schedule: Meet the Instructors & Find Your Class

At AVA Dance Company, all of our weekly drop-in classes are taught by current and former professional NBA & NFL dancers or dance educators! To read the bio from each instructor, scroll to the bottom of the page.

In October, we are so excited to welcome two new guest instructors to the drop-in schedule: Dani, a 6x NBA dancer, and Ben, a nationally touring performer!

• Dani spent 6 seasons dancing in the NBA for the Washington Wizards Dance Team and held the role of Captain

• Ben made his Broadway debut in Frozen and most recently held the role of Assistant Dance Captain/Swing in the Tina: The Tina Turner Musical Broadway National tour

We're also excited to bring a new Pro Dance Masterclass to AVA this fall with Dre DiLorenzo of NYC's Dre's Dance Prep and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with special themed classes!

To help you figure out what classes may be best for you, check out these suggestions tailored to your goals—whether you're looking for a beginner-friendly space, a class where you can bust out technique, or a high-energy sweat. Looking for something not included on the list? Send us an email asking for suggestions!

Beginner Friendly Classes (101)	Hip Hop 101 with Ashleigh, Jazz 101 with Jordan
Ready to Move on from 101 to our Standard, Intermediate Classes	Street Jazz with Nadeen, Hip Hop with Lindsey
Classes that Often Incorporate Technical Skills	Pom with Monica, Jazz with Jackie, Jazz with Danielle
Considering Auditioning for a Pro Team? Check These Out!	Pro Dance Masterclass with Dre, Pom with Jules, Hip Hop with Keyante

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

October 4, Country 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.

October 5, Past Performance 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!

October 5, Past Performance 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.

October 6, Throwback Hip Hop 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.

October 11, 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!

October 12, AVA-chella Hip Hop with Avonie

Avonie Bell is a 2x NFL dancer with the Washington Commanders’ Command Force Dance Team. Prior to her NFL career, she performed alongside artists including Doechii, Jennie of BLACKPINK, Lil’ Kim, DaBaby, and more. She is so excited to share knowledge and experience back with her DMV community!

October 12 & 28, AVA-chella & Halloween Street Jazz 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!

October 13, Jazz 101 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!

October 14, 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!

October 14, Hip Hop 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!

October 18 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.

October 19, Jazz 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!

October 19, Hip Hop 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.

October 20, Heels with Dani

Dani Guarin proudly represented the Washington Wizards Dancers in Washington, DC, for six dynamic seasons. Known for her leadership as captain, her energy, precision, and passion for all performances, she brings both athleticism and artistry to every game and appearance. She is now the new dance Head Coach of West Springfield High School. Beyond the court, she holds a degree in Fashion Merchandising from Marymount University, where she cultivated a strong foundation in creative branding, retail strategy, and trend forecasting. With a unique blend of performance experience and fashion expertise, she continues to pursue opportunities that bridge entertainment, style, and community engagement. Off the court, she's made her mark in the entertainment industry, appearing in music videos, live performances, and brand campaigns for various artists and companies, whether she's choreographing, performing, or collaborating on creative projects.

October 21, Contemporary 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.

October 21, Street Jazz 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.

October 25, Pro Dance Masterclass with Dre

Dre currently runs Dre's Dance Prep, a pro-team training program in NYC after three seasons as an NFL cheerleader (Co-Captain & Veteran of the Year).

She started her dance career as Clara in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, danced professionally with New Jersey Ballet, and spent five summers training in NYC with American Ballet Theatre and Juilliard. In addition to the NFL, she's performed at the US Open and the F1 Grand Prix. ABC and Business Insider have both featured her, for her program and for her return to dance after eleven years away. As a proud Terp, she's excited to teach back in her old stomping grounds!

October 26, 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 7th season vet and Captain of the Washington Commanders’ Command Force.

October 26 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!

October 27, Musical Theater with Ben

Ben is a proud actor and choreographer who most recently held the role of Assistant Dance Captain / Swing in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical Broadway national tour. Prior to that, he was in the national tour of Wicked, on Broadway in Frozen, and both the New York and Broadway touring companies of Jersey Boys (Frankie Valli alternate, Joe Pesci, Assistant Dance Captain). He has worked regionally across the country at theaters such as the Signature Theater, Roundhouse Theater, ACT of CT and Hartford Stage. He also can be seen in the season 3 finale of the hit tv show Pose on FX. Choreography credits include Shrek the Musical at the Heneger Theater in Florida, Jersey Boys at Sierra REP, and Spring Awakening at Clear Space Theatre Company. He holds a BFA in musical theatre from the University of Michigan and has taught theatre dance classes all over the country, Canada, and even Shanghai, China.

October 28, Halloween 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!