Jenny Vause - Artistic Director, Teacher

Jenny is an experienced, award-winning choreographer who has been teaching dance for seventeen years. She has a passion for teaching all ages and levels of students. Jenny earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Rockford College. She has danced with Without Shoes Modern Dance Company and has studied in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, and Las Vegas. Jenny takes great pride in the studio and feels very blessed to have so many supportive families and talented dancers at Evolve. She enjoys sharing her love of music and movement and couldn't be more pleased with the last six years! Jenny's choreography awards are displayed proudly on the walls of the studio as her students continue to bring her ideas to life through the art of dance!

Theresa N. - Teacher

Theresa has been teaching dance for thirteen years. With each year, her choreography grows to new levels, and her passion for dance continues. She has an eye-catching style and has received choreography awards at many competitions. While competing all over the United States throughout high school, Theresa won several high scores and special awards. Her passion for dance is clear when you watch her teach classes at Evolve. She challenges her students to their fullest, and we are very lucky to have her on our Evolve staff. Theresa works mostly with our competitive dancers and techinque classes.

Jessica S. - Teacher

Jessica has been teaching dance for ten years. While living in Los Angeles for two years, she trained at some of the best studios in the United States. Her unique style is always fun for dancers to learn. She is a very talented instructor and the kids love her! Jessica continues to demonstrate her love for teaching children of all ages. She was the choreographer for Heartland Church's "Smash Up" performances for several years. She is wonderful with dancers of all ages and we are so happy to have her on staff. Thank you, Jessica for your talent!

Jessica J. - Teacher

Jessica has been teaching dance for twelve years. She loves teaching all styles of dance and is wonderful with dancers of all ages. When competing, Jessica won many awards at both regional and national levels. Her passion for music shines in her choreography! She was a member of Fourth Movement, a semi-professional ensemble. Jessica has enthusiasm for teaching, and it shows! Jessica always gets the best out of her students with her wonderful choreography. She works with kids at Rockford First many Sunday mornings as well. We are so lucky to have Jessica teaching at Evolve!

Valerie B. - Teacher

Valerie has been teaching dance for eleven years. She graduated from Millikin University with a degree in Musical Theatre/Dance and has fifteen years of experience in the entertainment industry as a professional singer and dancer. She studied in New York City, Nashville, and Los Angeles. Valerie was a back-up dancer/singer for Louise Mandrell for six years and danced in music videos and concerts with Dolly Parton, Billy Ray Cyrus, Kenny Chesney and Faith Hill. She also appeared in Melrose Place, Family Matters, and Mad T.V. Valerie is a certified Autism Movement Therapist and teaches our Special Needs Classes, as well our senior citizen competitive dancers, and adult tap classes. She has a creative teaching style, and Evolve is lucky to have her on staff!

Ciara R. - Teacher

This is Ciara's fifth year of teaching at Evolve and is very excited! We continue to be very impressed with her creative ideas at the recitals. Ciara loves teaching dancers of all ages and it shows when you watch her lead a class. She has been dancing for sixteen years and spent nine of those in competition programs. Ciara impresses audiences with her beautiful technique and showmanship skills. She has won many top awards and scholarships. We are very thankful that Ciara is able to spend another year helping our dancers "evolve"!

Morgan C. - Teacher

This will be Morgan's forth year teaching at Evolve! We are so excited to have her, as she was a wonderful assistant for two years. She has been dancing for eleven years and has won several awards while competing. We love Morgan's spirit! She is wonderful with dancers of all ages and loves working with them. Morgan is the choreographer for many Boys and Girls Club performances in the Rockford area. She also choreographs shows for Childrens/Youth Project, Childrens Community Theater, and Penguin Project! Morgan is also involved with teaching our special needs classes. We are happy to have Morgan on our staff here at Evolve!

Erica S. - Teacher

Erica began teaching the ballet technique classes at Evolve during the summer of 2009! She has been teaching dance for eight years. Styles that Erica enjoys teaching are jazz, ballet, lyrical, and pointe. During her seven years of teaching, her true passion is Ballet. Erica directed Fine Lines Dance Company for three years and has also taught at other studios in the area. She received a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Rockford College. We are very blessed to have Erica as our Ballet Technique instructor at Evolve!

Shannon M. - Teacher

Shannon began teaching at Evolve two years ago. We are so happy she did! She began dancing at the age of three and was in a competition program at the age of six. This is her ninth year teaching dance. She has taught at some local studios and we are happy she is now with Evolve! Shannon has a bubbly personality that is loved by everyone. The dancers enjoy her fun teaching style. She loves to teach all types of dance and enjoys younger dancers. Thank You, Shannon!

Tera A. - Teacher

This will be Tera's third year on staff at Evolve. She has been teaching tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet, and hip hop for six years. She danced for eighteen years and danced competitively for thirteen. She has taken classes from truly amazing teachers all over the United States. Tera brings a child-like energy, a love of music, and a passion for dancing. To watch young dancers evolve makes her smile! She is very thankful for this opportunity to pass along what every teacher has given her: Love.

Mariah D. - Teacher

Mariah began assisting classes at Evolve three years ago. She began teaching classes at Evolve summer of 2010, and parents and dancers love her! Mariah has been a competitive dancer for twelve years and enjoys all styles of dance. She is a great performer and has a very unique style. While dancing, Mariah was recognized as part of the Tap Crew at a local convention and received scholarships and many overall high scores with her teammates. We are very excited to have Mariah on the teaching staff here at Evolve! Her students have fun and work hard.

JC - Teacher

JC comes to us once a week from Xtreme Dance Force in Naperville, IL. He is a director of the Teen Division, and his choreography has won several awards at the regional and national levels. We are pleased to have him at Evolve teaching our advanced hip hop technique class. Please visit Xtreme on the web at www.xtremedanceforce.com. J.C. recently starred on MTV on the hit show "Americas Best Dance Crew"!

Mickey - Zumba Instructor

Mickey is certified in group exercise and advanced personal training and Hip Hop fitness! She has been a fitness instructor since 1992. Mickey was part of her high school dance team and a college cheerleader. She has been a licensed Zumba instructor since 2009 and a licensed Zumbatomic instuctor since 2011. We are very happy to have her here at Evolve for out Zumba classes! Her energy keeps you moving in class and motivation is contagious!

Niki - Reception

Elizabeth - Reception

Whitney - Assistant

Breanna - Assistant

Brooke - Assistant

Casey - Assistant