meet our teachers
Jenny
Co-Artistic Director & Teacher
Jenny Vause is a leading choreographer in the Midwest. As the Co-Artistic Director and Co-Owner of Evolve Dance Company in Rockford, Illinois, she has a passion for teaching all ages the art of dance. It has been a privilege to see the growth of many dancers in the Rockford area! Jenny has taught classes of all levels and ages in the last 19 seasons! In recent years, she has worked primarily with the competition dancers in many styles of dance.
In addition to her choreography here at Evolve, Jenny has been featured at Carnival Choreographers Ball-Chicago, opening for the National Tour of Kidz Bop, as well as on the Disney Channel and on the Indiana Fever court. She is a judge for dance and talent competitions including Imagine and Tribute, and had the opportunity to create the opening number at Edge’s Nationals.
Jenny has taught classes at Rockford University and IAMT in New York, and Jenny has choreographed productions of “West Side Story”, “The Little Mermaid”, “Hairspray”, “Newsies”, and “Legally Blonde” In the Summer of 2023, her choreography was nominated for a Lou Award for “Cinderella” with Starlight Theatre.
Community is so important and Jenny enjoys being involved, supporting and sponsoring the Rockford arts community, She is currently the Show Director for Dancing With the Rockford Stars, and also been on the production team for dance concept videos with Vixen Productions; some have been screened at the Winter Film Awards. She has loves working on set for commercial work such as Hard Rock Rockford and upcoming Chicago live shows such as Nick Cannon presents Wild ’n Out Live Area Comedy Show.
Mariah
Co-Artistic Director & Teacher
Mariah began dancing at Evolve when it opened in 2005, and was a member of our competitive teams. Mariah began assisting classes in 2008 and teaching classes in 2010. She graduated from Rockford University in May 2014 and taught math at an area high school until moving to Washington State, where she taught and choreographed for several studios as well as completed her Master’s degree in math education.
Mariah was the teacher/ choreographer for our crew level competitive teams, that began in 2015. She has choreographed both levels of competition teams since 2018 and won several choreography awards over the years.
We are very excited to have Mariah teaching at Evolve and congratulate her on her Co- Artistic Director position!
Ashley
Teacher
Ashley grew up in the Rockford area where she began dancing at a very young age. She was very fortunate to train under some excellent teachers (some favorites include Evolve staff Jenny, Joe, and Mike)in a wide variety of styles. While competing, she earned many overall high scores, distinguished performer titles, and scholarships to various programs in the country and popular conventions. She also had the opportunity to assist many classes and eventually began teaching some on her own.
Ashley attended Oklahoma City University where she received her Bachelor's in Dance Performance. While there, she performed in the American Spirit Dance Company, co-directed the PEP dancers, and performed in a wide variety of other productions put on within the dance program. She also had the opportunity to train from outstanding professors and take many master classes.
After graduating, Ashley worked for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. She performed multiple shows a week in all different styles of dance while traveling the world, and was a featured dancer and dance captain. Currently, Ashley is a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines, certified Pure Barre instructor, and had the opportunity to choreograph at Rockford’s Starlight Theatre! She is passionate about working with dancers of all ages and levels and bringing out the best in them!
Ayanna
Teacher
Ayanna became a student at Evolve in 2009. She was a member of our competition teams for eight years, and is a two time national champion! She learned so much here as a dancer and loves taking what she learned and passing it on the the next generations.
Ayanna loves working with the other staff members and creating a safe place for all of the amazing dancers who come in the studio doors! She also works as an assistant teacher at Taylor's Tots Child Care and Preschool. Ayanna has been a guest dance teacher at West Middle School in their CAPA program. Ayanna has recently performed in two Carnival Choreographer's Balls- in Chicago. She has loved working with our recital and competition dancers and is ready to help celebrate Season 20!
Bri
Teacher
Bri began dancing at Evolve in 2009, and was a member of our competition teams for nine years. She became an assistant teacher in 2018 and has loved teaching since 2020!
Bri continues to teach recital classes and also choreographs for our competition solo, duets, trios and teams. She is a creative and high energy teacher that we adore having in our Evolve family!
Brooke
Teacher
Brooke began dancing competitively at Evolve in 2009; she was an assistant teacher before attending North Central College. She graduated with an elementary education major, as well as minors in dance and studio art. While at North Central, Brooke choreographed for the college's Cardinal Dance Company and directed the show her senior year!
In addition to seeing Brooke perform in the teachers dance at our annual recitals, you may have also seen her in Starlight Theatre's "Cinderella", "Legally Blonde" and "Newsies." She was also the assistant choreographer for Starbright's "Beauty and the Beast." Brooke is currently a teacher at Holy Family School.
We are thrilled that she has been back at Evolve as part of our teaching staff since 2017. Brooke teaches all levels of recital classes, as well as some technique classes. Her dedication and versatility are appreciated and valued!
Ciara
Teacher
Ciara has had a passion for dance ever since she started at age 5. She has experience in tumbling and a variety of different dance styles with extensive training in ballet. While competing throughout middle and high school she won many overall high scores, technique awards and scholarships. She has been very fortunate to be able to train with numerous local instructors and several nationally renowned choreographers as well. Ciara has performed in many local and regional concerts and productions including Dance Chicago and Carnival Choreographer’s Ball-Chicago. She has taught master classes and choreographed competition routines for multiple high school dance teams, and also previously taught both recreational and competitive students at Evolve from 2007-2015. Since then she has continued to help with various Evolve events, had two adorable kids, and in her free time enjoys hand lettering and spending time outdoors.
One of Ciara’s favorite things about teaching dance is that it allows students to have a fun and creative outlet while simultaneously instilling important life skills such as discipline, perseverance and teamwork. She is very excited to be back at Evolve and can’t wait to share her love and knowledge of dance with her students!
Maddy
Teacher
Maddy began dancing at Evolve in 2011 and was a dancer in our recital classes for 13 years. She also performed on her high school’s dance team, choreographing a majority of their poms routines. She became an assistant teacher at Evolve in 2023 and has loved getting to pass on everything she has learned at Evolve down to new eager dancers!
Maddy also works at the Rockford Park District as a therapeutic recreation program assistant as well as going to Rock Valley College to get her associates in engineering. She is excited to get to be teaching and celebrate season 20!
Mike
Teacher
Mike is the founder and Artistic Director of Elements Contemporary Ballet. Prior to founding Elements, he studied both classical and contemporary ballet with local master teachers. As a dancer, Mike performed with companies such as Instruments of Movement, Tyego Dance Project, and The Chicago Ballet. As a choreographer, his work has appeared in Dance Chicago, Around the Coyote Arts Festival, Looptopia, Joel Hall's Dances from the Halls, Evanston Arts Week, productions with the Evanston Dance Ensemble and Evanston Symphony, as well as other Chicago area festivals and dance performances. In addition to his work with Elements, Mike has taught ballet at colleges and quality dance studios throughout the North Shore and Greater Chicago area. He orchestrated events for Evanston Arts Week and Dance Art Outreach Program, and has served as Artistic Director of Koslynn Dance Academy and SASS Productions. Mr. Gosney's choreography was selected to compete in the Joyce Theatre's The A.W.A.R.D. Show! 2010, presented at The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago.
Morgan
Teacher
Morgan danced competitively for eleven years and won several awards for her performances! She has been a teacher at Evolve since 2008. She is wonderful with dancers of all ages and has a special quality that helps dancers with less confidence bring out their best.
Morgan graduated from NIU with a master’s degree in Special Education. She has choreographed for the Children’s Theatre Project/Youth Theatre Project, Boys and Girls Club performances in the Rockford area, the Children’s Community Theater, and the Penguin Project. Morgan has also volunteered at GiGi’s Playhouse for several years. We are happy to have Morgan on our staff at Evolve; she brings many unique talents, and we love her spirit!
Olivia
Teacher
We are so excited to welcome Olivia back to the Evolve staff! Olivia began dancing at the age of three and went on to perform on dance teams throughout middle school, high school, and college. She trained in multiple styles, but her favorites are Poms and Hip Hop. Olivia was a UDA instructor in the 2017-2018 season, and taught at Evolve from 2018 to 2022. She graduated with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science with a minor in Dance. She is currently the Wellness Liaison at NorthPointe Wellness, and is in charge of medically integrated fitness programs. She also is a Certified Holistic Health and Integrative Nutrition Coach and is excited to mesh her knowledge with teaching and helping the Evolve dancers inside, and outside of the studio! Her energy is amazing and we are glad to have her back teaching some of the Intermediate and Advanced technique classes.
Sara
Teacher
Sara began dancing and tumbling at age of three and competing in dance from eight to eighteen with a dance studio in Central Illinois. Besides earning many awards competing, she went on to be a student demonstrator, assistant teacher, and teacher.
After graduating high school, she danced on the Silverette dance team at Northern Illinois University for two years and took part in the NIU theater and dance programs. Sara graduated from NIU in 2009 with her master’s degree in Physical Therapy and has been a physical therapist in the Rockford area since 2010. She is currently a physical therapist at Van Matre Hospital and loves helping individuals through their rehabilitation journey. Sara has also enjoyed returning to NIU’s football stadium to perform with the Silverette alumni for the past two years at homecoming and is looking forward to performing in October at NIU’s homecoming to celebrate the Silverette 50th anniversary!
Sara is the mother of four wonderful girls, all who have danced at Evolve beginning in 2013! Currently, her oldest is a member of Evolve’s Company team and her middle daughter is a member of Evolve’s Crew team. Sara had so much fun returning to teaching dance last year and joining Evolve staff and is looking forward to returning this season! She continues to be eager to help her students develop their own love and passion for dance.
Tera
Teacher
Tera danced for eighteen years, thirteen of which were on a competitive team, and began teaching in 2004, before moving to Rockford in 2008. She joined the Evolve staff in 2009 and has had the unique privilege of watching some of her preschool/combo dancers "evolve" into high school seniors. She feels incredibly blessed to, week after week, share her passion for this art, and all of the life lessons that go along with it. This year Tera is excited to be teaching a variety of ages in the recital and competition level!
Before her time at Evolve, Tera cheered her freshman year and was on the dance team for the rest of high school and college. She has also coached dance teams at the high school level. For ten years Tera taught ballroom and Latin competitive and social dancing at Arthur Murray and has choreographed for Dancing with the Rockford Stars. Tera enjoys working with adults at Evolve when the opportunity arises, whether it's in ballroom, ballet, country line dancing, or getting a special dance prepared for weddings and events.
Outside of the studio, Tera enjoys spending time with her husband and their four kids, going to church, and keeping up with the local Buy Nothing group. She is excited for Season 20 and so thankful to still be a part of something so rewarding!
Staff
Our experienced staff is here to greet and assist you!
Niki - Reception
Taylor - Reception
Allison - Assistant
Audrey - Assistant
Ellie - Assistant
Emma - Assistant
Josie - Assistant
Testimonials
We are so grateful for Evolve Dance Company. The staff, teachers, and parents at Evolve provide our daughters a caring, safe, and positive environment to not only grow as dancers but also as individuals. The enthusiasm and passion demonstrated by the teachers to our children have inspired my daughters to develop confidence, compassion, self-discipline, and several more positive qualities they use in school, with friends, and in our community.
Nicole B.
My daughter began dancing in Combo classes two years ago. After two years in a combo class, my daughter found her passion in jazz and hip-hop. She looks forward to her dance classes every week and loves to show off what she has learned. We appreciate all the love and passion each teacher has shown in our daughter's classes.
Emily P.
After seeing my daughter perform in the Team Showcase, we could tell how happy she is in being a part of Evolve. She loves all the teachers and her team! She truly feels comfortable with everyone and her personality comes out once she does. This dance studio has made our move here to Illinois even better with all the love and support they show!
Koula W.
Contact Us
ADDRESS
1643 N Alpine Rd, Rockford, IL 61107
Mon – Thurs: 4 PM - 9:30 PM
or by appointment
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About
Evolve has a distinguished list of highly experienced and caring individuals who invest their time and talents into their students. The ultimate goal of the staff at Evolve is to teach students to love dance, master the fundamentals, and grow to their highest potential.
Opening Hours
Mon – Thurs: 4 PM - 9:30 PM
or by appointment only.
1643 N Alpine Rd, Rockford, IL 61107
(in the shops of Edgebrook)
Email: edc@evolvedance.com
Telephone: (815) 877-0077
@ Copyright 2022 - Evolve Dance Company - All rights reserved