Expressive Dance Academy 2.0
Holly
Crolley
Ms. Holly started dance when she was just two years old; teaching her first class when she was 18. In high school, Holly was a participant in musicals within her school as well as the EVSC Summer Musicals. Holly has trained under numerous well-renowned dance teachers and choreographers throughout her career. After high school, she went on to receive her dance degree from Vincennes University, where she was the choreographer for the show choir in her graduating year. With a wide variety of training, including vocal, instrumental, dance, and musical theater, she has always had a dream to be in the performing arts world.
Ms. Holly has been coaching for Expressive Dance Academy since 2013 and took over ownership in 2020, teaching Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theater, and Tumbling. She has received multiple Elite Platinum, Platinum, Choreography, and Judge's Awards for her routines!
When she is not at the studio she is a mother, photographer, and traveler. Holly finds joy in helping the kids succeed to become beautiful dancers. "I love seeing my students grow in dance and nail that turn, leap, or trick we've been working on for weeks! But more than anything it's so wonderful to hear dancers say how I've had such an impact in their life, in their journeys. I'm not only teaching them dance lessons but also life lessons!"
Javon
Nealy-Pickett
Mrs. Javon has been dancing at 2217 W. Franklin since 2003. She was given the opportunity to teach younger classes at the age of 15. During this time, Mrs. Javon was a HoneyBear at Central High School beginning in 2004, becoming captain in 2008, her senior year.
Mrs. Holly and Mrs. Javon first met during the CHS production of Annie, in 2006. After graduating, Mrs. Javon attended Indiana University where she was able to explore Middle Eastern Dance. After her first semester as a student, she was offered an opportunity to become a teaching assistant. She would remain in this position for the next two years until her graduation in 2012.
After graduating, Mrs. Javon moved to Hawaii for a year. While there, she became Zumba certified. When asked, "What is your best dance memory from O'ahu?", she replied, "I was asked to lead over 100 Hawaiian students in a Zumba warm-up before an all-day sporting event. The event was outdoors, the lush mountain peaks surrounded us, and I’m sure there was a rainbow. It was humbling, sublime, down-right majestic."
Mrs. Javon has worn many hats with our studio over the years. She has participated in every element from building floats, ordering costumes, designing shirts, editing music, cleaning, painting walls, fundraising, creating parade dances, etc. Currently, Mrs. Javon teaches competition classes, stage manages recitals, and does anything else needed at any given moment. Because... She loves EDA 2.0 and believes in her students.
Over the years Mrs. Javon's dances have won several Choreography Awards, Elite Platinum, Platinum awards, and Excellence in Entertainment Awards at national competitions, and has had multiple dances win first place at the Fall Festival Amateur Hour. Her favorite award to have won is the Excellence in Hip Hop Award in 2022 at DreamMakers National Dance Competition.
Outside of the studio, Mrs. Javon works for Sterling Industrial as a Construction Engineer. She lives in Haynie's Corner Arts District. During warmer months you can catch her porch sitting, working in her yard, and attending HCAD events.
Fun Fact: Mrs. Javon and Mrs. Holly only live 1,056 feet apart. That's .2 miles or a 4-minute walk.
Aubrey
Cowin-Brazier
Ms. Aubrey has shared her passion for dance at EDA since 2013. She started dancing at age 3 and has been dancing ever since. Her favorite types of dance are jazz and hip hop, however, she also has experience in tap, ballet, and lyrical. At EDA 2.0 Aubrey teaches Competition Jazz, Hip Hop, and Competition Conditioning. She has won multiple Choreography, Elite Platinum, Platinum, Excellence in Entertainment, Excellence in Hip Hop, and Judges Awards with her dances!
Aubrey graduated from the University of Evansville in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and an Associate's degree in Physical Therapy Assistance. Aside from teaching at the studio, Aubrey works as an Orthopedic Physical Therapist Assistant.
All in all, Aubrey loves teaching dance and believes it can have an impact on anyone’s life just like it did for her.
Whitney
Dockery
Whitney has been dancing since she was 3 years old and started teaching in 2021. In high school, Whitney was on the dance team and color guard as well as the competition team at her studio.
Whitney was taught by amazing choreographers from going to Conventions and also in her studio throughout her years of dancing. Her favorite styles of dance are hip-hop, contemporary, and ballet. Ms. Whitney is trained in all styles of dance and enjoys them all.
She is attending Ivy Tech Community College where she will be getting a bachelor's degree in the criminal justice program. Outside of teaching she enjoys adventuring outdoors, spending time with her children, and meeting new people.
In her time coaching, she has received double platinums, platinums and special judges awards for her routines.
"I love teaching dancers to be confident on stage and always believe they can achieve anything they put their mind to!"
Aly
Spalding
Ms. Aly has been dancing since she was three and started teaching in 2022. She attended Mt. Vernon High School where she was a cheerleader all four years. Her favorite styles of dance are lyrical, tap, and hiphop. Her main goal in teaching is not to teach to win, but to have fun and do what you love. Outside of dance Aly has her CNA from Ivy Tech, has worked at a daycare, and works for a construction equipment supplier. In her first year of teaching competition classes, she received first place awards and platinums. She plans to stay at EDA 2.0 for many years to come and is excited to see her students and the studio grow.
Sara
Wood
Sara began teaching tumbling at the age of 17 while participating in competitive CO-ED cheerleading. She continued her passion for cheering at the University of Southern Indiana, where she graduated in 2014. Sara has coached 3+ years of middle school and high school cheerleading and tumbling at local schools in Evansville! Alongside her fulfilling career as a family case manager through the state of Indiana, she finds joy in actively engaging with her local community. Moreover, she is a proud parent of three sweet kiddos, making her life even more enriching and rewarding!
Mickey
Smith
Mickey began her dance journey at the age of three and has since excelled in performing, competing, and teaching dance throughout her academic years and into her professional career. She also dedicated a decade to competitive tumbling and cheerleading, coaching High School and Junior High teams for six years.
Mickey was a personal trainer and group fitness instructor for four years, focusing on sports conditioning and teaching classes such as Zumba, Sh'Bam, BodyPump, Barre, and Strong by Zumba.
Beyond dance, Mickey is employed full-time as a kitchen and bath designer at Inspire Design Center. She also works part-time as a photographer and enjoys traveling in her spare time.
"I love watching students grow and express themselves through dance!"
Abbi
Killebrew
Coming Soon!
Hoops of a Feather
Ms. Jill loves to dance and is so excited to be leading WERQ Dance Fitness classes at EDA 2.0!
Jill's journey with EDA 2.0 began in 2020 when her daughters asked for dance lessons. They have been dancing here ever since! While the girls were at dance class, Jill decided to take the time to work on her fitness goals. She found WERQ Dance Fitness, a wildly addictive cardio dance class, and became hooked! Now she wants to share this fun fitness class with others.
Jill earned her Bachelor's Degree from Indiana University in Kinesiology in 2007. She worked as a personal trainer and fitness consultant before starting a career in pharmaceutical sales in 2015. She currently works for IQVIA as an Osteoarthritis Account Manager.
Jill became WERQ Dance Fitness certified in September of 2022 and is a current and active member of the WERQforce.
“WERQ is by far my favorite cardio workout! I started taking classes 3 years ago and decided to become certified so that I could share the joy that this dance fitness community has brought me. It is a great workout that makes me feel energized and good about myself. Each class is like a dance party where it is cool to get sweaty! Can't wait to WERQ with you!”
Click on the WERQ icon at the bottom of the home page for more info.