Born and raised in Belgium as a missionary kid, Evangeline began dancing at 13 years old and immediately knew it was something God wanted her to pursue. During her time at Oral Roberts University, she received extensive training in ballet, modern, pedagogy, improv, and choreography. Evangeline danced with Instruments Ballet Company in Oregon for three years before moving to Tennessee in 2021 to join Enoch Contemporary Ballet for their inaugural season. She is currently beginning her 3rd season with Enoch Contemporary Ballet where she serves as the Assistant Artistic Director. Evangeline is passionate about using dance as a ministry on a professional level.

Brooke Cooper has been dancing for 13 years and has loved every second of it. Growing up dancing with her two sisters, she was taught from an early age to use dance as a way to express herself. Brooke grew up training at Histown Dance, a Christian dance studio in Franklin, TN, where she studied ballet, pointe, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, modern, tap, and musical theater and taught dancers of all ages for 4 years. At Histown, she was part of their Senior Company and was able to perform at many events, including festivals and performances around Nashville. But her favorite aspect of Senior Company was being able to minister not only to the girls she danced with, but to the 

younger students, which inspired her to begin teaching her own classes. One of Brooke’s favorite parts about dancing is using it to bring glory to God and worship Him. She is so excited to attend the University of Tennessee this fall, and can’t wait to meet all the dancers at Makers Ekklesia!

Eve is currently a neuroscience student at the University of Tennessee. She began dancing at the age of three in her hometown, Charlotte, North Carolina where her training was focused in ballet, but she also danced competitively in tap, jazz, and contemporary. She began teaching two years ago which continued to spark her love and passion for dance! She has loved watching students embrace dance as a way of expression through movement! She is so excited to be teaching at Makers Ekklesia Dance Collective and cannot wait to meet everyone!

Anna-Kedron Craig has been dancing since she was 4 years old, trained in Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Lyrical/Contemporary, Jazz/Hip Hop, Tap, and Israeli Folk Dancing. Dance made her into who she is today and she's passionate about sharing the art with others. In 2007, she danced in Israel with Benote Tzion and she enjoys every opportunity to get to share that style of dance and worship with people from all dance backgrounds. In 2012, she had the opportunity to train at Joffrey Ballet School and in 2016 she was awarded a scholarship to attend The Dance Educators of America Junior Intensive in Las Vegas, Nevada. She attended the University of Tennessee here in Knoxville, where she danced with Vols En Pointe. She is so excited to be teaching here at Makers and share her love of dance!

Anna is from Dickson, Tennessee and is currently a senior at the University of Tennessee studying Sociology and French. Growing up, she danced competitively with Miss Amy’s Competitive Edge for over ten years. While dancing there, she was able to travel to various cities around the nation to compete regionally and nationally in Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre! In High school she continued dancing with Miss Amy’s, and was also a part of the Seasons Dance Company at St. Cecilia Academy. As a member of Seasons Dance Company, she was given the opportunity to choreograph and set various pieces for performances. These pieces were recognized with Outstanding Choreography awards, and received an excellence in the Fine arts scholarship! Tap has always been one of her favorite styles of dance. Her competitive dance company placed in the top three at nationals with tap pieces four years in a row. She trained in tap for approximately five hours per week under very talented teachers such as Raven and Jennifer Rickard, Benjamin Blevins, Maria Logan, and Leigh Anne Ervin. Teaching has always been one of her passions, allowing me to share knowledge and experience with others, so she feels truly blessed to be able to spend time doing so with your students each week.

Bess Trew, born in Atlanta, Georgia, received the majority of her dance training at the Baltimore School for the Arts in Maryland and the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education in Oklahoma. In 2015 she moved to Jackson, Mississippi to join Ballet Magnificat’s trainee program and the following year became a member of their touring company under the direction of Jiri Voborsky. From 2016-2019 Bess had the opportunity to travel and perform in seventeen countries, learning to use dance not solely as an art form, but as a tool for ministry. In the fall of 2019 she moved to Portland, Oregon to dance with Instruments Ballet Company under the direction of Rebekah Atkins; in 2020 becoming the Assistant Artist Director and choreographing two original works for the company. In the summer of 2021, Bess moved to East Tennessee to start the Enoch Contemporary Ballet. Since the company's inception, she has had the opportunity to teach, choreograph, and perform throughout the US and Europe

Abbi Jean Howard began dancing at three in Wilmington, North Carolina. She continued her training as her family moved to South Carolina and to Virginia and settled in at the School of Richmond Ballet. Senior year, the Lord began moving in her heart to give her dancing back to Him. After graduating high school in 2014, she entered the trainee program with Ballet Magnificat for three years and then was promoted to student apprentice with Ballet Magnificat! Alpha Company. In 2018, the Lord called her to North Carolina to teach at Gafa Studios and Brunswick School of Dance. Abbi Jean then proceeded to Southeast Asia to dance and teach in 2019 before returning back to NC. While spending time in her home state, the Lord began renewing her love of dancing for him and reminded her of the freedom and fulfillment found in Christ alone. Abbi Jean felt the peace of Christ directing her to join Enoch Contemporary Ballet in Tennessee at its formation in 2021. She is looking forward to teaching again and pouring into the students and families at Makers Ekklesia Dance Collective!

Christi started dancing as a child and has been teaching and choreographing since 1999. While growing up in Southern California, she trained at studios in Long Beach and was in the advanced dance program at Wilson HS. In college, she went through the dance program at Orange Coast College and was in Dancin etc touring company with Monie Adamson. Christi has an Associate of Arts’s degree in dance, certified in Pilates on all equipment, and dance conditioning. During her time in college, she also taught at local studios and choreographed productions for Melodyland Christian Center. When she wasn’t training at school or teaching, she attended Edge performing arts center and Millennium dance complex. She has danced for Disney, Telemundo, MTV, was on the Kidz Quest movie on TBN and toured in California and South Africa. In 2012 she moved to Frisco, TX where she taught at local Pilates studios, guest taught at dance studios, choreographed for 

churches such as Gateway Church. In Frisco, she had a Pilates studio where she taught her Dancilates program to pre-professional dancers. Some of her students went on to dance professionally and study dance in universities across the United States. Christi and her family have resided in Knoxville since the fall of 2018. She truly believes and has seen throughout her life that when you “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33."

Megan Mortensen started dancing when she was 8 years old and fell in love with ballet. She started training at Northwest Classical Ballet in Washington under the direction of Maricar Drilon and has additional training from Oregon Ballet Theatre and Northwest Dance Project. Megan has trained in contemporary, modern, jazz, tap dance, and musical theatre. She pursued her passion for dance further by studying at Brigham Young University (BYU), earning a Minor in Contemporary Dance. During her time in college, she choreographed student musicals, taught dance, and performed in musicals at local theatres. Now in Knoxville, TN, Megan is excited to share her passion for dance and nurture a supportive community of young dancers.

Hi there, I’m Miss Mandy! Dance has been my passion since I was a little girl and I have been teaching Hip Hop specifically since 2007. My style is a mix between Street/Freestyle/Krump - I pull from foundations in Jazz, Folk, Pom, Drill, Cheer, Funk and Breakdance. I moved to TN in 2021 from WA State with my husband Josh and our two kids, Kiley and Jakoda. We also have three big dogs, two cats, and a lizard! When I’m not at dance or preparing for dance, I’m usually at the front desk for a salon in town or soccer practices/games for my kids.

Lindsay is a wife and homeschooling mom of 2 boys. She has danced and taught dance off and on for over 30 years. Lindsay has a degree in education and a masters degree in instructional leadership. She taught in Knox County Schools for 10 years. While teaching middle school science she also coached middle school dance for 15 years and high school dance team for a few years also. During this time she also started a drama club at the middle school and produced and directed plays and musicals. Lindsay loved working with this age but found a true calling while teaching toddlers and young children and watching them fall in love with dance for the first time. She has been teaching young children for the past 10 years. Lindsay’s passion for music has also led to her involvement with both children’s music and church worship.

Melissa Jabaay is thrilled to be joining Makers Dance this season. Mrs Melissa has been teaching dance for 26 years and teaches multiple dance genres including; Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics, Modern, Contemporary and Musical Theatre. Mrs Jabaay has worked professionally as a dancer, singer, actor, choreographer, stage manager, lighting designer, sports commentator, college professor, and stage director. Some of the companies she has had the opportunity to work with, include; Carnival Cruise Lines, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Eugene Ballet, Ballet West, Minnie Madden Productions, Momentum Dance Collective, Alaska Dance Theatre, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy, Neil Goldberg's Cirque Productions, Eastern Virginia School of Performing Arts, Miss Alabama Pageant, Alaska Center for the 

Performing Arts, Chamber Ballet Academy, Headliners National Dance Competition, Visionland Theme Park, and Michael Roddy Productions. 

Mrs Melissa is originally from Alabama but moved to Alaska to do Gymnastics for the University of Alaska Anchorage. She received her BA in technical theatre with an emphasis on Theatrical Light Design. While in Alaska she met and married her husband of 24 years and they now have 3 children. Her family moved to Tennessee last year to be closer to her family and she has been warm and smiling ever since she arrived. Mrs Melissa is honored to be a part of Makers Ekklesia Dance this season. It is her hope and desire to bless and encourage each of her students with joy, inspiration and motivation to keep their eyes up and focused on their Heavenly Maker, and to always live and dance for Him.  

Bri, originally from Quincy, Illinois, has been dancing since age 3. She grew up dancing competitively at QDance studio and training in ballet, contemporary, hiphop, tap, jazz, and musical theatre. She was also a member of her high school’s dance team all four years. Bri earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Psychology from the University of Iowa in 2022. She taught at a local studio in Iowa for 2 years before moving to Knoxville with her husband in 2023. Since moving to Knoxville, she has been involved with Circle Modern Dance, teaching ballet and performing in their annual winter show Primitive Light. In addition to teaching at Makers, Bri currently works full-time as a pediatric behavior therapist and is working on her masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis.   

Katelyn began dancing at the age of 6! She joined Makers in it's first year, 2018 and was a part of the Makers Performance Company before graduating and becoming an instructor. She is currently working towards her degree in Special Education. When she is not at the studio she is also working as a special education assistant for Knox County Schools. Teaching has always been a passion of hers and she is excited to work with your children and teach them to use dance to praise the Lord! 

Chandra has been a valued staff member at Makers for two years. You can often find her at the front desk, helping you find your way or answering your studio questions, or in your email inbox! She is the mother of 4 children and has been married for 21 years. Her faith is an important part of her life and she is the friendly face we all need in our day! 

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Goldie began dancing at three years old and has loved it ever since. Her training has primarily centered around ballet, contemporary, and modern dance with additional experience in hip hop, pointe, jazz, tap, and musical theatre. In 2020, Goldie began her collegiate dance training at Belhaven University where she trained in ballet, modern, hip hop, and improvisation and studied subjects such as pedagogy, performance production, costuming, and kinesiology. While at Belhaven, Goldie performed with both the Dance Ministry Ensemble and the Belhaven University Dance Ensemble and was awarded the Freshman Bezalel Award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2024, Goldie moved to Tennessee to join Enoch Contemporary Ballet. Using dance as a means of worship has been a constant theme in her training since the beginning, and she is excited to keep teaching and dancing all for the glory of God!

Annika began training at Pacific School of Dance at age eleven. Upon graduating high school, she moved to Jackson, MS and was a trainee with Ballet Magnificat for two years. She then joined Enoch Contemporary Ballet in 2021, and remains as a company artist. Since then she has found a love for teaching and has taught masterclasses, and several intensives in the Southeast and Midwest. 

Isabelle Ponder is a Psychology student at the University of Tennessee. She has been dancing for 18 years, primarily focusing on Ballet, Pointe, Musical Theatre, Jazz, and Contemporary. She is from Duluth, Georgia, where she trained at Duluth School of Ballet, Cornelia School of Ballet, Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, and Suwanee Ballet as a company member. Isabelle also trained with Atlanta Ballet as part of their summer intensive program. She was the choreographer for Duluth High School's theatre program where she received recognition in a state-wide competition for her choreography of Godspell and Sister Act. She is very excited to be teaching dance and is looking forward to inspiring the next generation of dancers.