Joyanna Peterson

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About Joyanna

Joyanna Noelle is a dancer, choreographer, singer, and aspiring actress. For the past seven years, she has been a dance team coach, instructor, and choreographer for local dance studios in South Florida and Middle Tennessee. Joyanna has choreographed for many competitive soloists, ensembles, and dance groups. Her choreography has placed in the top overalls at competitions such as Nuvo, Radix, Intrigue, Hype, KAR, Starbound, and Platinum. She has also received choreography awards and other special awards for her pieces.  In addition to teaching, Joyanna performs as a featured soloist and choreographer for women’s conferences, church events, and corporate conventions.  When presented with the challenge of a worldwide pandemic, Joyanna utilized her time by training virtually with The Radio City Rockettes, precision dance and fitness trainers, Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway instructors, and vocal and acting teachers.  In 2021, she was given the incredible opportunity to be a lead choreographer for Concert Ministries’s production of “Christmas Is..”. Not only did she choreograph, but she also performed in the show as an ensemble member and featured dancer. She looks forward to joining their 2022 production as the Lead Choreographer again. Before moving to Nashville, TN, this summer, Joyanna had the privilege of assisting Broadway veterans and choreographers Lloyd Culbreath, Ashley Bachner, and Sergio Trujillo for The Broadway Artists Intensive’s 3-week program at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. She looks forward to continuing to combine her passions in future projects and productions.

​Joyanna has trained extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, precision dance, musical theatre, contemporary, modern, Latin jazz, and hip hop for over 20 years. Her dance training began in Atlanta, Georgia, where she studied under acclaimed teachers and choreographers who helped her discover her love for dance and choreography. After relocating to South Florida, Joyanna continued her dance training with some of Florida’s finest instructors and began teaching the next generation of young artists. She has attended numerous master classes with instructors from Alvin Ailey, So You Think You Can Dance, Broadway and Fosse.  Joyanna also competed at the local, state, and national levels and was named the Universal Dance Association’s Georgia State Champion Senior Soloist and placed in the Top 30 at the Contest of Champions Nationals, both with original choreography.

Additionally, Joyanna has studied voice and acting privately with Jason Gillman and Jackie Bayne Gillman of The Broadway Artists Intensive. Joyanna has frequently traveled to New York City to develop further and improve her craft, where she has attended The Rockettes Summer Intensive, Paige Chamber’s Broadway and Beyond Workshop, and Broadway Dance Center’s Winter Intensive. Attending these workshops and master classes has given her the opportunity to learn from director/choreographer Chet Walker, Broadway veterans Dana Moore and Lloyd Culbreath, renowned choreographers Mia Michaels and AC Ciulla, and many more. While in the city, she was also able to train privately with Rockette dance trainer and fitness coach Rhonda Malkin and Broadway vocal coach Dan Thaler.

In December 2023, Joyanna completed her third season as Lead Choreographer and ensemble performer for Concert Ministries’s touring production of ‘Christmas Is..’. Additionally, she has assisted Broadway veterans and choreographers, Lloyd Culbreath, Ashley Bachner, Sergio Trujillo, Rachelle Rak, and more for The Broadway Artists Intensive at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.

Joyanna looks forward to a long, successful career working professionally in the dance, theatre, and TV/film industries. She hopes to inspire other young artists to relentlessly pursue their passions until they see their dreams’ fulfillment.

Color: Blue/Purple
Salty Treat: Popcorn
Sweet Treat: Tiramisu
Fast Food Restaurant: Corelife
Sit Down Restaurant: North Italia
Coffee: The Coffee House
Movie: Clue
Place to Shop: Free People and Lululemon
Scent: Vanilla
Clothing Brand: Free People and Lululemon
Animal: Monkey
Music Genre: Everything
Travel Destination: Italy

Take a class with Joyanna

class schedule

THE ROOTS MENTOR PHILOSOPHY

Our mentors play a crucial role in shaping not just artists but well-rounded individuals equipped with a growth mindset, character, determination, confidence, and grit — skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

Beyond the Steps: Our Teaching Philosophy

Our approach to dance education goes beyond the traditional. While we undoubtedly focus on developing your technical skills and artistry, we understand that life's most valuable lessons extend far beyond the steps and choreography.

Our dance mentors are passionate about nurturing your movement abilities and your personal growth.

At ROOTS, we recognize that dance is a powerful vehicle for character development. Our mentors instill qualities like discipline, responsibility, and respect through the art of movement. Whether you're mastering ballet technique or perfecting your jazz performance, you'll also be enhancing essential life skills.

Learning choreography and refining your technique takes patience and perseverance. Our mentors are there to guide you through the challenging moments, teaching you the importance of determination and grit – qualities that transcend dance and apply to all areas of your life.

Self-confidence is a cornerstone of success. Our mentors help you build it through dance by celebrating your achievements and nurturing your self-belief. As you nail that challenging turn sequence or master a complex combination, you'll feel your confidence soar.

When you embark on a dance journey with ROOTS, you're not just gaining proficiency in your chosen style. You're also acquiring essential life skills that will serve you well in your academic, professional, and personal endeavors.

At ROOTS, it's not just about the dance classes. It's about the profound impact our dance mentors have on your life.

At ROOTS, we are proud to have mentors who are actively engaged in the dance community. They're not just teachers; they're performers, choreographers, and artists who live and breathe dance. This unique perspective enriches your learning experience, providing insights that go beyond the studio.

In the heart of Music City's vibrant arts scene, ROOTS Academy mentors often balance roles as professional dancers and educators. While their occasional commitments with dance companies or performance tours may lead to mentor substitutions, we're dedicated to keeping you informed about any class changes. In the rare event of an unmissable performance opportunity, rest assured that our team will facilitate a seamless transition to a new mentor.

Join us today to embark on an artistic and personal journey that will shape you into the best version of yourself. Experience the difference of mentorship at ROOTS Academy — where performing arts education becomes a transformative life experience.

THE ROOTS WAY

Our mission is to develop extraordinary artists and exceptional humans through transformative performing arts education. Through music, dance, and theatre, we inspire creativity, nurture character, and empower our students to positively impact their community and the world.

mindset
matters

(How we Think)

We believe mindset shapes not just who we are in the studio, but who we become in the world.

excellence
matters

(What we Do)

We believe excellence flourishes when preparation and vision align with discipline and passion.

people
matter

(How we Act)

We believe in creating spaces where everyone feels safe to create, supported to grow, and inspired to excel.

questions?

If you have any questions about our dance program, please don’t hesitate to call, text or email us. Our hours are Monday – Saturday from 12pm – 6pm.

SASKIA HARMON – Dance Director
JESSICA STILLMAN – Competition Manager
MELISSA BULLINGTON – Preschool Manager
JEN BURNS – Dance Operations Manager
KATHLEEN MCPHERSON – Dance Operations Coordinator

SASKIA HARMON
Dance Director
JESSICA STILLMAN
Competition Manager
MELISSA BULLINGTON
Preschool Manager
JEN BURNS
Dance Operations Manager
KATHLEEN MCPHERSON
Dance Operations Coordinator