NOVA Dance and Wellness Academy

NOVA Dance and Wellness Academy sits at 318 7th Ave N, Suite D in Jacksonville Beach, offering classes for children, students aged 9+, and adults. The studio is built on the principle that movement awakens the body, mind, and soul, and trains dancers as both athletes and artists.

For children and students, NOVA runs a tiered academy structure with performance-based curriculum across 8-week sessions. Fall 2026 begins August 16, with major performance dates including a Fall Show (November 20) and Tiny Dancer Show (December 12). The studio observes consistent annual breaks for rest and planning: Spring Break (March 15–20), Easter (April 3–5), Summer (May 31–June 6), Teacher Planning Week (August 1–8), Thanksgiving (November 23–28), and Christmas/New Year closures.

For adults, NOVA offers specialized classes across ballet, tap, contemporary, and wellness training. The Ellové Technique—a conditioning class blending ballet, yoga, fitness, and Pilates set to music—is endorsed by Doctors for Dancers and designed to reduce injury risk. Rise is a foundational foot and body control class incorporating functional movement and exercises from Lisa Howell's publications. Rise 2 is the adult pointe class (prior approval required). Tap instruction includes an Intro to Tap Program taught by Peg Perschel, a long-time tap expert, running 6 weeks for $120 (August 19–September 23, 2026). Ballet is levelled: 101 (Beginner, no formal experience required), 201 (Advanced Beginner, returning dancers), and 301 (Intermediate, currently dancing). Adults can book a 7-day unlimited pass for $27 to explore classes before committing.

The teaching staff brings deep expertise. Executive Director Aubrey Van Benthem trained at a ballet conservatory in New Mexico, holds a BSED in education, is ABT-certified, a trained pointe shoe fitter, and RYT with advanced training in yin and biofunctional yoga. Artistic Director Joanna Mizesko holds a B.A. in Dance from Belhaven University and directed the Selah Dance Company. Ballet instructor Laura Moskevich trained at Maine State Ballet and danced as a soloist, performing roles including the Lead Creature in Firebird and Clara in The Nutcracker. Hannah Kaemmer is ABT Certified and completed ABT Teacher Training Intensive through Level 3. Jazz instructor Megan Wessely danced on her college's dance team and company; she holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Dance from Le Moyne College and a master's in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Sacred Heart University. Hip hop and acro instructor Crystal Stewart brings over 20 years of teaching and choreography experience, trained in hip hop with master teachers and poppers, and holds mixed acrobatics and ADTA certifications. Boys Breakdancing instructor Zachery Plummer has danced for 23 years, trained with professional BBoys across multiple states, taken master classes with Quest Crew, and is NASM-certified personal trainer with tumbling experience. Functional Fitness instructor Tony Hanneken is a Certified Yoga Instructor (200 hours), Certified Health Coach, Licensed Massage Therapist, trained in Vinyasa Flow and trauma-informed yoga, with over 25 years in wellness and 5+ years teaching yoga.

Class scheduling is managed through the Momence app. Front desk hours are Monday–Thursday 4:00–7:00 pm and Sunday 1:00–4:00 pm. The studio emphasizes community and family connection, with wellness education integrated into membership benefits. A Wellness Boutique operates on-site for uniforms and essentials, with an in-studio fitter available.

For your first adult class: arrive 10–15 minutes early to check in and warm up using props (foam rollers, lacrosse balls, yoga blocks, and straps available), complete an online waiver in advance, bring a water bottle with clear liquids only, wear comfortable movement clothing, and plan to stay for the full session. No street shoes in the studio.

NOVA's team includes Aubrey Van Benthem (Executive Director, ABT-certified ballet and pointe), Joanna Mizesko (Artistic Director, ballet and contemporary), Laura Moskevich (ballet and tap, trained soloist from Maine State Ballet), Hannah Kaemmer (ABT Certified ballet instructor, trained in Cecchetti, Vaganova, and ABT styles), Megan Wessely (jazz, college dance team and company background), Crystal Stewart (hip hop and acro, 20+ years experience, ADTA-certified), Zachery Plummer (boys breakdancing, 23 years of training with professional BBoys), and Tony Hanneken (functional fitness and yoga, 200-hour yoga certification, trauma-informed training).

NOVA is designed for every level—prior experience is not required, and beginner classes are intentionally designed for true newcomers.