Ava has been dancing since the age of three and began competing nationally at just five years old, earning titles, special awards, and training with top industry professionals across the country. She has trained extensively across Florida, New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., studying under renowned coaches and refining her skills in a wide range of styles. At George Washington University, Ava majored in Psychology and Criminal Justice while serving as captain of the GW First Ladies Dance Team. Now pursuing her master’s in Elementary Education, she is passionate about sharing her love of dance with young dancers, inspiring confidence, creativity, and joy in every class.
Jada Hicks (she/they) is a current dance major at George Mason University. She began training seriously in ballet and modern at age 13 at The Dance Institute of Washington in DC where she found her passion for Horton technique. Throughout their training, they have worked with artists such as Doug Varone, Anthony Burrell, Hope Boykin, Susan Shields, and Shaun D’Arcy. She has also trained with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Sole Defined, Doug Varone and Dancers, Bates Dance Festival, and Kennedy Center Dance Lab. She has experience teaching ballet, modern, acro, and contemporary at numerous studios throughout the DMV area and is excited to join the Legacy family!
Aleza is from Birmingham, AL where her training was focused in ballet and modern at the Alabama School of Fine Arts under the direction of Wes Chapman, former ABT Ballet Master. Currently a senior at George Mason University, Aleza has performed and understudied the works of Susan Shields, Christopher d’Amboise, and Martha Graham. She has also studied at Dance Theatre of Harlem, Gus Giordano Dance School, and Mark Morris Dance Company. Aleza has been a dance educator since 2023, teaching multiple styles such as ballet, jazz, and contemporary, and she is excited to join the Legacy Dance family this year!
Taryn Murphy is thrilled to be teaching at Legacy Dance Institute! Taryn graduated from Temple University with a BFA in musical theatre where she studied numerous dance styles like West African, ballet, contemporary, jazz and many more! Her previous credits include: “Spring Awakening” (Wendla), “From Okra to Greens” (Okra), and “Xanadu” (Terpiscore). Taryn established a dance program at Montgomery OIC in Philadelphia and choreographed a production of “Beauty and the Beast” at The Shipley School. Most recently Taryn played Shelby in “Steel Magnolias” at Great Plains Theatre in Kansas and Gabby Maple in a reimagined production of “The Petrified Forest”. Taryn is excited to share her love for dance and theatre to help her students become not only technically proficient but expressive as well!
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