Why Haven Dance?
We want to see more people using dance and the arts to tell stories and impact their community - throughout their lifetime! We want our students to love their journey in dance - and seek to provide a program that is both foundational and fun!
We are grateful to have such an incredible group of instructors, and offer one of the regions most established and successful traditional ballet programs!
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Haven specializes in developing well rounded classically trained dancers with a strong foundation in Ballet. We focus on training and then presenting high caliber performances for the Sioux Falls Area
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Haven Dance Academy is a caring and welcoming home for dancers to learn the discipline of dance, while also being given space for creativity and fun!
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Our instructors have over 50 years of combined experience, each one passionate about their role as both teacher and mentor to our students
If you or your child are looking for a life-long classical dance education, an alternative to competitive dance, or a thoughtful, faith-based environment to explore movement we hope you’ll connect with us!
“I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination, flooding you with light, until you experience the full revelation of the hope of his calling”
Ephesians 1:18
About us
I’m Diandra, owner and director of Haven Dance Academy, and this is my family!
We never thought owning a dance studio was in our future, but we trust the Lord and he has walked us right into this.
Dance has been a part of my life for over twenty years, and has had a huge impact on my life.
It began as an amazing outlet for energy, a great workout, and something that truly brought me joy and so many amazing friends. I found something that I was passionate about!
As I’ve grown and walked closer to Jesus, he has totally transformed my mind and thought process regarding dance and the arts. He restores and uses ALL things, and I love getting to know his heart in this area.
I believe that all things originated from God our Creator. He made movement, dance, and music for our good. It communicates his heart. It’s a way to “speak” truth and encouragement. It is an outlet to process emotions and hardships with him. It’s a method he can use to speak to our own hearts. It can help an audience member access feelings- like joy!
Just as our words have the power to change things, as they hold the power of life or death, so does movement. How we approach and use dance is so important to the heart of God!
I truly love getting to be a part of a student’s life. Dance offers so many opportunities to learn and grow in craft, integrity, and heart, and it’s an honor for me to watch that process in each person.
Your Instructors
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Ballet 2, Ballet 3, Homeschool Ballet, Adult Ballet, Jazz 6, Contemporary 6, Hip Hop 3, Pilates, Pointe 1
Diandra began her dance journey later than most, starting in her teen years, but she quickly became passionate and dedicated. She immersed herself in every class available at Main Stage Ballet, seized every workshop opportunity, participated in numerous community events, and danced competitively with Champion and the Washington Highsteppers throughout her high school years in Sioux Falls.
Continuing her love for dance, Diandra earned certifications and began teaching at Main Stage. With 16 years of experience teaching Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip Hop, she also holds certifications in Pilates and Progressing Ballet Technique, which enhance her students' strength and technique. Committed to learning and improving her teaching methods, Diandra aims to help each student recognize their inherent value beyond the label of "dancer" and understand the impact of their unique movement and artistic gifts on the world.
Diandra is a mom of 2 and the Owner and Director of Haven Arts Collective and Dance Academy.
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Pre-Ballet, Ballet 1
Taylor has been dancing since she was 3 years old, and trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Pointe with Main Stage Ballet and Dance Academy. She competed with the Roosevelt dance team and with the Showcase competition program through highschool as well as attending many workshops, and ballet intensives. Taylor continued to dance at her home studio while attending college and earned a certification in Progressing Ballet Technique.
With 8 years of teaching experience, primarily in ballet she has also continued to perform in productions by Main Stage and Haven Arts Collective. Taylor is a mom of 1 and works as a special education teacher in the Harrisburg School District.
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Jazz 4, Contemporary 4
Tabitha began dancing at age 6, inspired by her two older sisters who shared their love for dance with her from an early age. She started with ballet and gradually explored a wide range of styles, including Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Pointe, Broadway, and other unique genres.
Growing through classes, performances, and community projects, she developed a deep passion for dance. In high school, Tabitha was part of her studio's competition team, where she attended workshops and conventions that broadened her perspectives and skills.
This passion eventually led her to teaching, where she has now been sharing her love for dance with students for six years. Tabitha is an X-ray Technologist at Avera.
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Jazz 1 & 2, Hip Hop 1
Katie has 14 years of dance experience starting at the age of 6. Her favorite styles are Ballet and Hip Hop. She loves the energetic and expressive styles Hip Hop offers, but also the strengthening beauty and technique in Ballet. Katie also has experience in Jazz, Pointe, Contemporary, and Competition Dance. Katie loves the zeal and excitement the dancers show up with and is eager to continue dancing through God’s gift of teaching.
Katie works full time at Eye-Site in Sioux Falls
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Ballet 4, Ballet 6, Pointe 3
Chloe began dancing at the age of 4 with Ballet, she later added Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Pointe, Contemporary, and Musical Theater to her repertoire, with Ballet and Pointe remaining her favorites. Throughout high school, she participated in numerous Main Stage productions, including Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, and joined the showcase team her senior year.
Chloe expanded her ballet skills through summer intensives in Nebraska and New York before enrolling at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. There, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with minors in Business and Law & Ethics, while exploring styles such as Modern, Theater Jazz, and Improv. Her diverse training has shaped her unique approach to movement, which she now brings back to the Midwest with 3 years of teaching experience to share. Chloe works full time as a florist.
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Homeschool Jazz
After dabbling in gymnastics, dance, and cheerleading in varying capacities since the age of 5, Meghan chose to pursue dance most seriously as she entered high school. Meghan took technique classes through Main Stage Ballet and Dance Academy and competed with Champion Dance Academy and Washington High School Highsteppers in Jazz, Pom, Hip Hop and Contemporary styles. Throughout her junior and senior years in high school Meghan taught and coached elementary aged dance and cheerleading teams. After graduation Meghan attended South Dakota State University where she helped resurrect the SDSU Dance Club, a recreational dance group, that hosted weekly classes and an annual dance showcase for the University. Meghan is also a homeschool mom of 6!
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Ballet 5, Jazz 5, and Contemporary 5
Kiley’s love for dance began at age 5 and has only grown since. Starting her journey at Main Stage, she explored a range of styles, beginning with ballet, jazz, and tap. As soon as she could, she expanded into hip hop, contemporary, and pointe. She was part of Main Stage’s competition team throughout high school, gaining experience through conventions, community events, and performances.
Kiley held lead roles in many productions such as Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. Kiley is an Infusion Nurse at Avera.
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Jazz 3, Contemporary 3, Hip Hop 2
Katelyn began dancing at the age of 5 at Robin's School of Dance in Iowa, initially studying Ballet and Tap before expanding into Jazz, Musical Theater, Contemporary, Pointe, and Hip Hop. Throughout middle and high school, she was a member of the RSD Company, competing regionally and nationally and earning numerous awards and national titles.
After high school, Katelyn continued her dance education at the University of Iowa, where she trained in Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, and Hip Hop. During college, she also taught at a local dance studio and joined the dance team for the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders.
Following her college years, Katelyn moved to Sioux Falls and became involved with Main Stage Ballet, where she taught for 10 years and built strong community connections. Katelyn is a mom to 3 and works as a Play Therapist at Sprout Play Therapy.