Owners

    Miss Brooke Hardiman

    Studio & Creative Director

    Brooke's love of dance and performing began at a young age. She trained and competed with local studios in the Charlotte area from age 3 to 18, and is experienced in all styles. She has been teaching for 15 years and is passionate about body alignment, strength and flexibility training, technique and acrobatics. She is a certified E-RYT yoga instructor as well as a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor. She has her MA in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University with a focus on work with Adolescents.

    Before opening HDC, Brooke was able to bring her training and education full circle when she was accepted for an internship position with the Choose to Invest organization where she worked on a discipleship program that equips leaders in rural Africa to impact their communities utilizing the arts, sports, science, experiential learning, and relationships. Whenever she has the opportunity, Brooke loves to travel with her daughter and her husband, Brian, finding inspiration in all corners of the world.

    EMAIL BROOKE

    Miss Brittany Vachon

    Dance Education & Choreography Director

    Brittany began dancing at the age of 2 and worked her way up in the competition and convention world. During her years competing, she was awarded many honors, both on regional and national levels. She also received various scholarships allowing her to travel the country taking classes from world-renowned teachers. Brittany is a born choreographer, and began creating solos for herself, as well as assisting and choreographing for others at the young age of 14. Her love of dance and passion for the next generation is, of course, what prompted her and her family's creation of Havilah Dance Company. When Brittany is not teaching, she cherishes the time she is able to spend with her two children, and her husband, Joey!

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    Miss Gail Dawkins

    Office & Account Director

    Gail was a competition 'dance mom' for 19 years, during which she grew to love the art form and watching her daughters perform. When her 2 daughters, Brooke and Brittany, showed an interest in creating a new studio home for the next generation, she could not have been happier. Gail now owns one third of Havilah Dance Company where she manages the office, accounts, and loves meeting new dance babies! Her years of 'dance mom' experience bring a unique and knowledgeable perspective of 'dance-mom-life' to the table, and her years in business management and ownership bring priceless wisdom to the operations aspects of HDC.

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    Instructors

    Michelle Pettine

    Recreational Program Manager & Director of Tap (ages 12 & under)

    Michelle brings over 20+ years of dance training and experience to our HDC staff. She danced all through her childhood, majored in the dance academy in high school, took classes in college, and eventually started teaching at local studios. She is experienced in tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, and ballet but her favorite is TAP! She is married to her loving husband and has 2 children. Michelle likes to spend her spare time with family doing spontaneous activities and enjoying life!

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    Sydney Buchanan

    Ballet Mistress & Recreational and Company Instructor

    Sydney has been dancing since the age of five. Ever since she was younger she knew that this was the career path she wanted to take. After graduating high school, she attended East Carolina University to continue her studies in dance. She has studied under various professional artists while being in university. She graduated in May of 2020 with a Bachelor's degree in Dance with a concentration in performance and choreography. She is so excited to be apart the HDC team!

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    Skyler Walker

    Skyler started dancing at the young age of 2 and danced competitively for over 16 years. Dance has always been such a meaningful part of her life, and she is so grateful for all of the opportunities and friendships it has given her. She was a dancer on the competition team at Havilah and is so excited to be back at the studio as a teacher! She was also a member of the UNC Charlotte Dance Team, which gave her the opportunity to continue growing as a dancer and performer.
    Skyler has experience teaching a variety of styles and ages, and she loves helping dancers build confidence, find their love for dance, and reach their goals. She is so excited to be back at Havilah and share her passion for dance with the next generation!

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    Nicole McKnight

    Recreational Dance Instructor

    Nicole McKnight originally from Indianapolis, Indiana was a cheerleader and dancer throughout her life. She was a member of the Redstepper Dance Team while attending Indiana University, and graduated in 2012. During her time at IU, she performed at all home football games, danced at select Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears games, and also performed at Super Bowl XLVI in 2012! She completed a graduate program at Butler University in Indianapolis while she started her career as an elementary teacher. Nicole continued to take dance classes and taught recreational classes while also teaching elementary school in Indiana and Wisconsin until 2021, when she moved to Charlotte. Nicole is so excited to be back in the dance world doing what she loves most: dancing and teaching! She lives in Ballantyne with her husband, Garrett and young daughter Harper.

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    Julia Peus

    With 13 years of teaching experience, Miss Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her role as a dance instructor. Originally from Canada, Miss Julia began her dance journey at a young age, training in a diverse range of styles including tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, modern, and hip hop. Most notably however was ballet, where she set her focus on completing vocational ballet exams through the Royal Academy of dance (RAD) going on to train and prepare her own students throughout the years for both examinations and professional auditions. She enjoys teaching dancers of all ages and skill levels, with the goal of instilling a deep love for movement and dance in each and every student.

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    Kaitlyn Brantley

    Kaitlyn Brantley, originally from Indian Trail, North Carolina, started her dance journey at the age of three. Graduating as a double major from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), she attained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Applied Dance alongside a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science, showcasing her commitment to both artistic and scientific disciplines. As a competitive dancer, she was awarded many achievements, including numerous overalls, titles, and recognition as an Inspire All-Star in 2021. Kaitlyn has been teaching and choreographing for several years for students of diverse ages and abilities. For high school, Kaitlyn attended Central Academy of Technology and Arts (CATA) where she was a part of the Performing Arts Academy for dance. Holding certification in Acrobatic Arts, Kaitlyn has undergone rigorous training to ensure the safety and efficacy of her instruction in acrobatics and tumbling. Complementing her expertise, she maintains certifications in First Aid and CPR, underscoring her commitment to fostering a secure and nurturing learning environment.

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    Aja Byrd

    Aja Byrd is a passionate dance educator, performer, and creative leader with a lifelong commitment to the transformative power of movement. A Charlotte native, Aja began her dance training at a young age and continued her studies as a Dance Major at Northwest School of the Arts. Her training includes extensive experience in contemporary, modern, jazz, hip-hop, and choreography through programs such as The Dance Company, Havilah Dance Company, Open Door Studios, Charlotte Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and various national dance intensives.
    As a performer, Aja has had the opportunity to work with choreographers and artists across the country, including performing with Koresh Dance Company in Philadelphia and participating in programs such as Contemporary Now, Dancer Palooza, and The Main Event. These experiences have shaped her belief that dance is not only an art form, but also a powerful tool for storytelling, confidence-building, discipline, and community.
    Aja is also a Temple University Honors graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences and a Minor in Criminal Justice. Outside of the studio, she is passionate about Christian discipleship, forensic science, and serving her family and community. Through teaching, Aja strives to create an encouraging environment where students can grow technically, artistically, and personally. She seeks to cultivate confidence, creativity, and excellence while encouraging dancers to embrace their unique gifts, pursue their God-given purpose, and grow as the next generation of leaders, artists, and changemakers.

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    Administrative

    Cathy Buchanan

    Cathy was a competition dance mom for 12 years and loved watching her daughter dance, perform and learn. Her daughter is now a teacher at Havilah. Cathy was a dancer herself, spending 10 years dancing, performing on her high school dance team and minoring in it in college at UNC-G. She recently retired from the state after 36 years and is enjoying her time working at the front desk and meeting the dancers and dance moms. Cathy is a mother of three and enjoys time with her family and taking care of her special needs cats, Mia, Meeka and Charlie.