Our NBA Pre-Game Performance is March 17!

AVA Dance Company will return to Capital One Arena in Washington DC on March 17 to perform during Pre-Game festivities at the Washington Wizards' match against the Detroit Pistons!

We're thrilled to have 28 members of our community join us on the court for this special performance! For four weeks, these dancers have been learning a high energy routine from former Wizards Dancer & Captain, Ashleigh, to perform ahead of the Wizards match against the Detroit Pistons!

They'll be performing a Hip Hop routine (with a smidge of Street Jazz) to a remix of Beyonce's iconic hit, "Crazy in Love."

Want to support this talented group? Tickets are available now through our special AVA Dance Company link! Guests are encouraged to arrive early as we'll be performing between approx. 6:20P-6:30P!

Buy Tickets Here

This will mark our 5th appearance with the Washington Wizards organization! Keep scrolling to watch our past performances, which have occurred during both pre-game and halftime.

---

Choreographer: Ashleigh Bennett

As a former 5-time NBA dancer for  the Washington Wizards (1X Captain) and SoulCycle instructor, Ashleigh (Shleigh) 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.

When you learn from Ashleigh, expect nothing less than an energetic, hard-hitting combination that will move you past your comfort zone and leave you feeling victorious! Her time in the studio 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.

Shleigh has been an instructor with AVA for the past 6 years, and also doubles as our primary music mixer! In addition to the dozens of classes she has taught with us, she has choreographed three stage routines for our annual Performance Showcase.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8Q3sjYcPy4

---

Check Out Our Previous NBA Performances

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gTo9C9Nuvg

AVA Dance Company made their NBA debut on March 2, 2023 with a Pre-Game Performance at Capital One Arena! This piece was choreographed by 4X Washington Wizards Dancer, Marielle Abbott.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL4m_D6Vfb5hjSNY-0F8ss4uOPi-wHxW5f&v=DmnpBRAwxn8

AVA Dance Company returned to the court of Capital One Arena in Washington DC on November 11, 2023…but this time for halftime! This piece was choreographed by 3X Washington Wizards Dancer & AVA's Founder/Director, Leah Mariner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL4m_D6Vfb5hjSNY-0F8ss4uOPi-wHxW5f&v=FHsILgim8O0

50 member of our community came together for a Lady Gaga inspired halftime production at a 2025 Washington Wizards game! This piece was also choreographed by Leah Mariner.