About

Dance has always been a part of my life in one way or another. I loved taking lessons as a child and an adult. I have loved watching others dance, especially my own children. There is something incredibly magical about the grace, beauty, and the challenge of mastering such a difficult art. My passion for the dance arts and for providing quality dance education to future generations inspired me to continue the long legacy of Canyon Dance Academy. Sometimes, I pinch myself because I just can’t believe I own a dance studio. It is truly a joy to watch your kids learn, grow, and find joy in dance.

Alison (she/her) grew up in San Diego, California, where she began dancing at 6 years old. Transitioning from recreational dance to a more serious training regimen, the dancer began studying at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts in middle and high school with a Dance concentration. At the school, Alison grew her artistic and technical skills in modern, ballet, and concert dance, meanwhile also receiving opportunities such as attending the Regional and National High School Dance Festival in the West and East Coasts, participating in the McCallum Choreography Dance Festival, being featured in Andra Day’s Why I Vote video, and working with choreographers such as Christopher Huggins, Vincent Hardy, and Rachel Berman. Alison continued her dance studies at Dean College, earning her BA in Dance and Exercise Science with many opportunities to train in variations of perform works by college faculty and guest artists like Kurt Douglas and choreograph original works for selected dance concerts at the school. Alison is excited to join the CDA family for the upcoming dance season and to meet all the wonderful dancers, staff, and families.

My name is Heidi Browning, and I am so excited to be teaching dance at Canyon Dance Academy. I have an amazing husband of 21 years, 3 children, and 2 beautiful grandchildren. I started dancing when I was about 10, which changed my life. My teachers at school and dance impacted me so much that I knew then that I would become a teacher myself one day. I wanted to help others feel the love and confidence I felt. I have now been teaching for the last 18 years and have loved every minute of it. I started to think that my dream of becoming a dance teacher would never happen. Then when I least expected it I was asked to teach at Canyon Dance Academy and I feel like a little kid again. I love every minute of it and can’t believe all my dreams have come true.

Aria grew up in Idaho and has been a student at CDA since she was 9 years old. She loves dancing and has trained in various styles, such as ballet, tap, and jazz. She has always dreamed of being a dance teacher and loves working with young kids. Aria is very excited to begin teaching at her home studio and feels incredibly blessed to be here!

Outside of dance, she enjoys hobbies like creative writing, playing piano, making jewelry, and painting with watercolors. Aria is so excited for the beginning of the dance year and can’t wait to teach!

Sawyer Jensen has been dancing since the age of five and has trained in ballet, contemporary, modern, lyrical, jazz, hip hop, and acro. She has also danced competitively, developing versatility and a strong passion for performance. Sawyer is excited to share her love of dance and help CDA dancers grow in both confidence and ability.

Hello everyone! My name is Olivia, and I am looking forward to being the instructor for the Tiny Movers Program. I have an associate’s degree in early childhood education and am passionate about teaching little minds! I am eager to create strong relationships with both children and families to make a great impact!

Hi, I’m Shaylee! I have been dancing since I was five. I have trained in ballet, tap, jazz, acro, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, modern, musical theater, K-Pop, Breaking, and ballroom. I found my home in dance and want to share that passion and love with others.