Our Instructors

Shelby Tilmann is a 2016 graduate of Grand Valley University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. During her time at GVSU, Shelby trained in technical courses including, ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, dance history, dance costuming, pedagogy, and choreography/improvisation. She also performed with Grand Valley State University Dance Company, as well as GVSU Momentum dance club.

Shelby’s teaching & choreography experience includes: GVSU Dance Company, GVSU Children’s Enrichment Center, The Dance Center, Rockford School of Dance, The Dance Asylum, DuHadway Dance Dimensions, and Flat River Dance Company. She received her foundational training at DuHadway Dance Dimensions including Ballet, pointe, Cecchetti, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap and hip hop.

Shelby’s favorite part of teaching and choreographing is seeing her students pour their love into something she has helped create.

Ashley grew up dancing in Rockford, MI. She has been dancing for over 18 years and began sharing her love of dance through teaching at age 16. She has trained in jazz, tap, contemporary, ballet and hip hop. Her main focus and continued training is in hip hop. She loves helping her students grow in their love for dance. Ashley danced and choreographed with Cultura Collective as they participated in ArtPrize, an independently organized international art competition. Cultura Collective was fortunate enough to be one of the winners of ArtPrize in 2016. Ashley danced in The Haunt in Grand Rapids and trained with the DanceSpire family as well. She also works with several middle school and high school dance teams creating award winning routines.

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Our assistant teachers (from left to right) Roxy, Taylor, Lily, Aleea, and Cassidy

Megan Ellison is the owner and director of Evolve Dance Academy. She has over 35 years of dance experience. After growing her current dance studio in the Cedar Springs and Northern Kent County area she decided to return to her hometown of Rockford. She loves dance and has been lucky to have it play a big part in her life as both a life long student and a successful teacher. Her dream was to always open a studio that she could share her love for dance and find instructors with a true passion for the art also that children and adults will learn from. Dance has so many benefits both physically and mentally and the mission of Evolve Dance Academy is to build not only a dancers strength and technique, but to find their inner love and passion for the art of dance while building self esteem and confidence.