MEET THE OWNER

Joslyn Evans

Joslyn Evans

Joslyn Evans has trained in the styles of Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, and Contemporary/Modern dance. Joslyn graduated with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Dance Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has performed works including, but not limited to, those by Jenna Riegel from the Bill T. Jones Arnie Zane Dance Company, Julie Mayo, Kayvon Pourazar, and Laurel Jenkins. Throughout her time at UNL, Joslyn attended and performed in ACDA regional conferences annually. Joslyn also choreographed and performed in student dance projects and participated in faculty-directed concerts.

Joslyn is a founding board member, choreographer, and dancer with Satellite Dance, a Contemporary and Aerial-based dance company in Nashville. She has performed works locally and in Chicago with Satellite Dance. A favorite project of Joslyn's was choreographing dance for the film "By Nature. A Dream Ballet," produced by Satellite Dance. Joslyn has also performed her own collaborative choreographic works in Kindling Arts Fest, a local arts festival in Nashville.

With over 10 years of experience in teaching dance, Joslyn has specialized in early dance education methods and pedagogy, offering premier dance education for all ages. It is Joslyn's mission to create space for students to thrive in the art of dance. She believes dance is an empowering tool and is passionate about using dance to inspire and empower dancers of all ages. Joslyn has taught nationally and internationally. One of Joslyn’s most cherished dance teaching experiences was teaching a dance and movement workshop to underserved children in Kolkata India.

Joslyn currently lives in Tennessee with her husband Nolan and four rambunctious furbabies, Maisy and Lucy (dogs), and Gemma and Ruby (cats)!

MEET THE TEAM

  • Originally from Montana, Thom began formal dance training at Minnesota Dance Theatre and School where he trained in ballet and modern dance on scholarship and then as a Company 2 dancer. Thom also received scholarships with Tidewater Ballet Academy, Milwaukee Ballet, Joffrey Ballet and School of American Ballet. His teachers included Bonnie Mathis, Gene K. Hammett, Susan Borree, Robert Joffrey, Michael Bjerknes, Stephen Jenkins, and Elaine Thomas.

    Thom danced professionally with Duluth Ballet, Ballet Arizona, as a soloist with Louisville Ballet, and as a principal with Nevada Ballet Theatre and Nashville Ballet. He worked with directors including Loyce Houlton, Vassili Sulich, and Janek Schergen and danced masterworks including Antony Tudor, Geroge Balenchine, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Graham Lusting, Paul Vasterling, and Choo San-Goh.

    Mr. Yzaguirre currently splits his time between Tupelo and Nashville. In addition to his Artistic Leadership of Civic Ballet and Master Instruction at North Mississippi Dance Centre, Thom is the a ballet instructor at Haven Dance in Franklin , TN. He also works with competitive figure skaters at Nashville Skating Academy. He has been guest teacher for the Academy of Nevada Dance Theatre, Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts, and Tennessee Association of Dance (TAD) Tennessee Dance Festival. Thom was the recepient of the 2014 Judith Woodruff Professional Development Award from TAD and the 2018 Outstanding Dance Educator Award from TAD.

    Thom Yzaguirre is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who successfully completed ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 7 + Partnering of the ABT® National Curriculum (NTC). ABT® NTC is a breakthrough nine level program that embraces sound ballet principles and incorporates elements of the French, Italian, and Russian schools of training.

  • Alyssa Maddox launched her dancing career at a young age, coming from a military family, she has trained all over the United States and abroad, including Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.  Alyssa holds a degree in dance from the University of Georgia, Athens, where she had the opportunity to perform with the pre-professional modern dance company, CORE, under the direction of Bala Sarasvati, as well as train with such professionals as Joan LaGhee, Molissa Finley, Kent DeSpain, Cornelius Carter, and Matt Kent of Pilobolus. Alyssa has served as Adjunct Professor for Belmont University, Brenau University, and Junior Company Director for The Gainesville Ballet.  Her Nashville choreography credits include works for Belmont University’s Musical Theatre Program: Grease, The Drowsey Chaperone, and Anything Goes, and original choreography for Marcus Hummons’s The Piper, performed by Actor’s Bridge Ensemble, Nashville, TN.   For the past 25+ years, Alyssa has choreographed and taught both classical ballet and contemporary dance forms to students of all ages at private studios in Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. Along with teaching the talented students at Haven Dance, Alyssa teaches upper elementary full-time at Montessori Academy and, most importantly, serves as mom to Evie and Lottie and wife to Brent.

  • Michaela Hillman began her dance training at the age of 8 in Peachtree City, Georgia. She studied classical ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and tap, and was a senior company member with the Georgia Academy of Dance and the Performing Arts by the age of 14.

    She continued her training at Nashville Ballet, where she danced in the Professional Training Division, performed in Paul Vasterling’s Nutcracker, and was awarded the prestigious Patricia C. Todd Scholarship, a full scholarship award, for her senior year. Michaela also received additional classical ballet training from American Ballet Theatre in New York over three consecutive summers, and Boston Ballet.

    Michaela danced with Oklahoma Festival Ballet from 2018-2022, and performed original works by several choreographers including Michael Bearden, Price Suddarth, Boyko Dossev, and J’aime Griffith. In 2022, Michaela earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma before joining Ballet Frontier in Fort Worth, Texas, as an apprentice. She now shares her expertise with dancers of all ages, specializing in ballet and pointe, and bringing a creative, technical approach to other contemporary dance styles.

  • Jessi Seal, an experienced dance instructor, has taught tap, jazz, and hip hop to students aged 3 to 18. She has also lent her expertise to high school dance teams and show choirs for multiple seasons. What truly excites Jessi about teaching dance is helping students discover their own comfort and confidence through movement. She firmly believes that dance offers a unique avenue for individuals to explore their true capabilities while effectively expressing emotions that words sometimes can’t quite capture. A fun fact about Jessi is she has been skydiving before and would 100% do it again!

  • Amanda Reichert is a freelance dancer and choreographer originally from Lawrence, KS. She received her BFA in Dance Performance from Chapman University and has since worked as a freelance artist in both New York City and Nashville. She has presented work for the Young Choreographer’s Festival at Symphony Space and Center for Performance Research in NYC, the Kindling Arts Festival, The Barbershop Theater, and COOP Gallery in Nashville, TN, at Festival Nómada in El Salvador, and b12 Dance Festival in Berlin.

    She is currently collaborating with Metro Parks Dance Division and Animata Arts alongside Sarah Salim and Kathryn Wilkening to help curate residency opportunities for artists in Middle Tennessee, and is also a co-founding member of the Garage Collective, a Nashville based improvisation group.

  • Aven Weikert began her early training at the Cumberland County Playhouse with Eldar Valiev and Lilia Valieva studying ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and musical theater. She holds  a B.A. in Art History and a minor in Dance from Belmont University.  Ms. Aven was the founder of  ABC Dance Academy in Crossville, TN and the Children’s Program Coordinator at the School of Nashville Ballet. She also has experience choreographing for dance teams, musicals, and cheerleading. She strives to make dance class a positive experience for all children leaving them feeling empowered, encouraged, and loved. Ms. Aven is married to Robbie and they have two little girls who keep them busy dancing and playing dress up!

  • Abbi Roe is a native of Roswell, New Mexico and started her training in High School when she joined her school’s Drama Program. Roe appeared in Community Theatre productions, The Wizard of Oz, The Little Mermaid, Annie, and Shrek the Musical.

    Roe received two bachelor degrees from West Texas A&M University: a BFA in Musical Theatre in 2021, and a BFA in Dance in 2023. Roe appeared in university productions; A Flea in Her Ear, 9 to 5, Spring Awakening, The Theory of Relativity, Phaedra, and six dance concerts. Roe also choreographed university productions, The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee, and Sweeney Todd, both of which she received a Meritorious Achievement Award in choreography.

    Roe has taught Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Acro, Hip-Hop, and Lyrical to ages 3 to 13 both at WTAMU’s Dance Academy, and Kids Love to Dance-Roswell.

    Roe spent two summers working professionally as a dancer and actor in TEXAS the Outdoor Musical, as well as in 2022 was an Instructor of Theatre at Interlochen Arts Academy choreographing and teaching dance classes for their summer camp. Roe also fulfilled a summer contract in Ligonier, PA at Idlewild and Parkzone as a performer and show host.

    Abbi Roe wishes to spread joy and love by creating and performing movement.

  • Originally from Chicago, Gwen began dancing at the age of 5. At 12, she joined a competition team, which sparked her love for choreography and teaching. That same year, she began creating for her studio’s yearly student run showcase. In her last years of highschool, she began assisting dance classes at school and at her home studio, and joined the school musical and play, as a dancer, actor, and choreographer. Upon graduation, Gwen was hired as a guest artist and teacher for her high school and began pursuing dance and acting professionally, soon becoming signed with The Rock Talent Agency. 

    Gwen moved to Nashville to continue her professional pursuits and expand her training. Since her move last year, she has danced in a choreography submission for K-pop’s own, Jimin, and performed in Kane Brown and Marshmello’s new music video “Miles On It.” She currently teaches hip hop, among other styles, and has been hired to choreograph for weddings, competitions, and plays.

  • Julia Mott, an experienced dance instructor, has been teaching dance since she was 14 years old. She grew up as a competitive dancer, participating in various styles such as jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, acro, and musical theatre. Julia has taught children aged 2-16 and has been a summer dance camp director, working with kids aged 3-12. She also has a theatre background and has choreographed and danced in musicals such as Willy Wonka Junior, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Aladdin.

    Currently, Julia is a junior at Belmont University, studying Organizational Leadership Communication and Dance. She is passionate about helping young dancers explore different styles and find their passion for dance. Julia enjoys challenging dancers to tell stories through their movements and loves to witness their physical and emotional development. She emphasizes proper technique while ensuring that learning remains fun. A fun fact about Julia is that she lived in Ireland for six months!

  • Miranda is a creative mover from Nashville, Tennessee. She is drawn to somatic movement and exploring her own strengths and limitations though contemporary dance. Her introduction to contemporary movement was through her training with Rachel Catalano in Nashville, TN. At Middle Tennessee State University, she minored in Dance Studies while completing her bachelor’s in teaching and education and was a member of the MTSU Dance Theater company. Here, she had the opportunity to work closely with faculty including past program director Meg Booker and had the original repertoire of Isadora Duncan set on her. Dance is a passion and a profession for her, but most importantly a safe place that Miranda has always come back to. Miranda currently teaches and dances professionally for Fresh Congress Dance Company. 

    Miranda believes in the power and purpose in the profession of teaching and most enjoys the moments of connectivity she finds with her students. Above all else, she believes that dance should be accessible and safe for anyone to feel, explore, and find themselves.

  • Nolan Evans is the Co-Owner and Co-Founder of Haven Dance. By trade, he is a Commercial Roof Consultant, and by night, he works as a Dance Studio Handyman. There is no task too small or too great for him to tackle, earning him the nickname, 'The Jack of all Trades.' Nolan’s skills boast an innate ability to be precise, excellence in communication, and adeptness for numbers, which makes him the ideal candidate for the role of studio CFO.

    Nolan is thrilled to partner with his wife, Joslyn Evans, in creating Haven Dance. His co-founding this studio stems from their shared desire to establish a safe space for children to thrive in the art of dance. You will often see him at the front desk at night making jokes and handing out stickers to the kids.

    In his spare time, Nolan enjoys riding bicycles, hiking, walking his dogs, and tinkering in the garage. Although he is not yet a Dad, he serves as the President and CEO of the Haven Dance Dad Joke Club. He hopes to see you around the studio, and make you laugh a time or two.